Working in more than 40 countries affected by crisis, disaster, poverty, and climate change, Mercy Corps has a global team of nearly 6,000 humanitarians — 95% of whom are from the countries where they work.
Most of the positions that the organization is hiring for currently or in the year ahead require around five to eight years of experience, and for program-facing positions, candidates almost exclusively come from the sector and similar organizations, explained Yannah Preta, a global talent acquisition manager with Mercy Corps. Hiring is, therefore, very competitive, and this can make it challenging for those in the earlier years of their career, she noted.
However, there are opportunities in areas such as finance, human resources, and fundraising for professionals transitioning from different sectors. Through its internship programs, Mercy Corps is building a pipeline of candidates who are at the starting point in their careers. One such program, in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development, is focused on expanding opportunities for students at minority-serving institutions, or MSis, including historically Black colleges and universities and hispanic-serving institutions.
About the author
Emma Smith
For four years, Emma Smith covered careers and recruitment, among other topics, for Devex. She now freelances for Devex and has a special interest in mental health, immigration, and sexual and reproductive health. She holds a degree in journalism from Glasgow Caledonian University and a master’s in media and international conflict.
