The top local employers in the Middle East and North Africa

The Middle East and North Africa region is one of the most significant for global trade and culture. It boasts a dynamic economic landscape driven by industries including oil and natural gas, technology, and tourism. Despite these, it is also characterized by some of the most persistent geopolitical tensions and internal conflicts that the world has ever seen. Funding cuts by the U.S. Agency for International Development had profound consequences for global development initiatives, and the MENA region was not spared from them, with several major programs terminated, including programs in Gaza, Yemen, and Syria. However, despite aid cuts, the MENA region has not seen a drastic decline in job opportunities. In fact, there was a small increase in job postings. Devex data shows that in the period since Jan. 24 this year, when the Trump administration issued a stop-work order on all USAID awards, 404 jobs were posted — three more than in the same period last year. This suggests the strong presence of organizations in the region not funded by the U.S. government, both local and international. Missions from multilateral organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union are still actively working in the region, as is the homegrown Qatar Foundation. In this article, we look at the organizations that are currently hiring the most global development professionals in the MENA region, in the months after the USAID global funding cuts. The top organizations hiring in the Middle East and North Africa 1. U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia Headquarters: Beirut, Lebanon Year founded: 1973 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 89 UNESCWA is the regional commission of the United Nations responsible for promoting economic and social development, regional cooperation, and integration among its member countries in western Asia. Since Jan. 24, UNESCWA has advertised mostly mid-level opportunities and short-term contract positions, with job titles such as project assistants and research assistants. The commission currently has an opening for a senior facilities management assistant based in Beirut, Lebanon, who will help coordinate and plan the construction, renovation, and management of infrastructure in the mission area. View all current job openings from UNESCWA on Devex. 2. U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East Headquarters: Amman, Jordan Year founded: 1949 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 80 UNRWA is the U.N. agency with the mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to Palestinian refugees in its areas of operation in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. Since Jan. 24, UNRWA has primarily advertised mid-level job opportunities and short-term contract positions, with roles such as project field monitors and programme managers. View all current job openings from UNRWA on Devex. 3. Committed to Good Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates Year founded: 2006 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 76 Committed to Good is a solutions provider that specializes in supporting humanitarian and development projects in conflict-afflicted countries around the world. Committed to Good primarily advertised mid-level jobs and short-term contract positions. The most common roles advertised since Jan. 24 were technical assistance, provincial, and operations officers. View all current job openings from Committed to Good on Devex. 4. European Union Country Missions Headquarters: Ramallah; Baghdad; Tripoli; Cairo Year founded: 1952 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 54 The European Union plays a strategically important role in the MENA region, particularly in the areas of economic cooperation, security, and humanitarian aid. The EU’s presence is felt in the region through its various missions, such as the EU Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories, the EU Advisory Mission in Iraq, the EU Border Assistance Mission, and its diplomatic mission in Egypt, to name a few. The EU missions mainly advertised mid-level job opportunities and full-time staff positions since Jan. 24. The most common job titles include mission security officers and human resources officers. 5. Africa50 Headquarters: Casablanca, Morocco Year founded: 2013 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 15 Africa50 is an infrastructure investment platform established by the African Development Bank and African governments that develops, finances, and mobilizes public and private capital for high-impact projects on the continent. Africa50 mostly advertised senior-level opportunities and internships with full-time staff positions and short-term contracts. The most common job role is senior analyst. Africa50 currently has an opening for the role of senior analyst for fundraising and IR based in Casablanca, Morocco, to help in mapping potential investors and coordinating events such as roadshows and shareholder meetings. View all current job openings from Africa50 on Devex. 6. International Renewable Energy Agency Headquarters: Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Year founded: 2009 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 12 IRENA is an intergovernmental organization that promotes the adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy and supports countries around the world in their transition to the use of renewable energy. Since Jan. 24, IRENA has advertised mainly mid-level opportunities and long-term positions, with associate professionals and program officers as the most common job titles. View all current job openings from IRENA on Devex. 7. International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas Headquarters: Beirut, Lebanon Year founded: 1977 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 11 ICARDA is a research institute that provides science-based agricultural solutions to improve the livelihoods of rural communities in the world’s driest areas. Since Jan. 24, ICARDA has primarily posted mid-level job opportunities and full-time positions. Project managers for research for development, or R4D, are some of the most common roles. ICARDA is currently seeking a senior research assistant based in Rabat who will help collect, conserve, and characterize Rhizobium species and other plant growth-promoting microbes. View all current job openings from ICARDA on Devex. 8. Islamic Development Bank Headquarters: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Year founded: 1975 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 11 The Islamic Development Bank is a multilateral development bank that promotes social and economic development for Muslim communities and its member countries worldwide. IsDB has mainly advertised mid-level opportunities and full-time positions, with project management specialists as the most common titles since Jan. 24. 9. Qatar Foundation Headquarters: Doha, Qatar Year founded: 1995 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 10 Qatar Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to providing initiatives in education, science and research, and community development to help Qatar achieve a knowledge-based economy. The foundation currently has an opening for a programs officer. The foundation has advertised mainly entry-level opportunities and full-time staff positions. Program officers and outreach officers are the most common roles since Jan. 24. View all current job openings from Qatar Foundation on Devex. 10. U.N. Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement Headquarters: Al-Hudaydah, Yemen Year founded: 2018 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 7 UNMHA is a special political mission by the U.N. established to monitor the implementation of the Hudaydah Agreement, which involves a ceasefire and redeployment of forces from the city and ports of Hudaydah, Salif, and Ras Isa in Yemen. Since Jan. 24, UNMHA has primarily advertised mid-level opportunities and short-term contract positions, with administrative and operational assistants as the most common job roles.