Webinar: Becoming an international humanitarian aid worker

As millions of civilians across the globe continue to flee armed conflicts, natural disasters and the impacts of climate change, skilled humanitarian professionals are as important as ever in alleviating human suffering. The challenges faced by these humanitarian aid workers have changed over the years and so too has the way in which careers in this sector begin and evolve. In this exclusive Devex webinar, veteran humanitarian aid workers Chen Reis and Tania Bernath discuss their recently released book “Becoming an International Humanitarian Aid Worker” which looks at the changes and challenges impacting careers in the humanitarian aid sector. The authors share key findings from their extensive research with aid workers and employers alike, and tips from their years working in the field. “Over the past couple of decades, which is when Tania and I started working in this field, there have been enormous, enormous changes, not just to the content and types of crisis that humanitarian aid workers are working in but also to the way organizations do their work individually and collectively,” said Reis. The authors agree that for those seeking a career in the humanitarian field, it is important to keep up with changes in the sector. Through sharing their experiences and knowledge from the field, Reis and Bernath offer some career guidance to students, job seekers, transitioning professionals as well as other aid workers. For those interested in humanitarian careers, your CV is expected to include some volunteering or overseas experience, and networking remains crucial to learning more about the people and organizations involved in this sector and where you fit in. And “good intentions” are not enough, positions now require specific hard skills and knowing what these are can be critical to entering the humanitarian field. While demand varies depending on the region, organization and focus area, humanitarian aid organizations are looking for candidates with specific technical skills in information technology, project management, cash flow, and nutrition to name a few. In addition to providing an introduction to humanitarian aid and organizations, Reis and Bernath also share the realities of humanitarian careers — living and working in compounds, restricted in-country movement, and dealing with gender bias — and how to prepare yourself for the challenges of the job. Watch the full “Becoming an international aid worker” webinar to find out more about the skills and experiences which could advance your job search and prepare you for a career in the field. Looking to make a career move? Visit our career center for expert advice on how to navigate your job search — all you need is a Devex Career Account to get started.