What recruiters are looking for in Myanmar response

It’s been almost four years since conflict broke out in Myanmar following a military coup that led to the imprisonment of democratically elected government officials and citizens who spoke out. Armed ethnic groups are still actively opposing the military-controlled government, known as the State Administration Council, or SAC, in localized violent confrontations throughout the Southeast Asian country. Over 2.6 million people have been displaced as of the end of 2023 due to conflict and violence, and vital infrastructure such as hospitals and schools has been damaged. At the same time, located in the most disaster-prone region in the world, Myanmar citizens simultaneously have to contend with floods and storms that also kill, destroy, and damage. A further 235,000 people were displaced by disasters as of 2023. It’s against this backdrop that 18.6 million people, a third of the population, are in need of humanitarian assistance. Yet fragile relationships with the military authorities mean the operating context for development and aid organizations is particularly difficult. With this in mind, hiring organizations require specific skills and experience to navigate the fragile context. As it stands, there are a number of humanitarian positions open. Devex’s job board is advertising roles including a shelter and settlement officer with the Danish Refugee Council (closing on Nov. 7) and disaster risk management manager (closing on Nov. 5) with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. But there are some more general development-focused roles listed too. The World Health Organization requires a national technical officer (closing Nov. 21), the United Nations Development Programme is looking for a livelihoods officer (closing Nov. 8), and Save the Children is searching for a chief of party to manage malaria control (open until Nov. 8). Amid the violence, the historic development issues of access to health care, education, and livelihoods remain critical. Devex spoke to hiring managers and recruiters about what they are looking for in candidates for the Myanmar context, the skills most in-demand right now, and the necessary experience for working in a context like Myanmar. 1. An understanding of the local context Understanding the nuances of a locality is essential in any role, but when it comes to Myanmar and the current conflict, there are intricacies in the law and in banking that impact the general functionality of organizations. At times, people have been unable to withdraw cash from ATMs while new laws introduced by SAC on NGOs make the declaration of funding sources mandatory alongside locations of operation — information often considered sensitive. But failure to adhere can result in imprisonment. Staff members must have an understanding of this in order to be able to do their job effectively, said experts. With that in mind, BRAC Myanmar, which currently focuses on microfinance initiatives in the country, is looking for Myanmar nationals to fill its position of head of human resources and training (closing Nov. 28th). They were recently also looking for a head of finance. That’s because they need staffers who can navigate the banking system to pay staff members and coordinate with various partners. “They need to understand the finance market, local banking sectors, and the regulation obligations and central bank rules, understanding that at this moment there are limitations in cash management,” said Sazaduzzaman Sazad, managing director of BRAC Myanmar. For the HR position, again local understanding is key because much of the talent pool is migrating amid the conflict, said Sazad, and therefore the organization requires someone who can ideate around talent management in Myanmar. While these positions focus on hiring nationals, some organizations are still hiring international staff, said Lois Freeke, manager of the Asia-Pacific recruitment firm NGO Recruitment. But they too need at least regional experience. Of the roles she recently recruited for, a head of operations and executive director for two different refugee-focussed humanitarian agencies, neither person was from Myanmar “but had worked there for a very long time with international aid agencies and NGOs and had a very good understanding of complex environments,” she said. 2. Humanitarian experience Prior to the conflict, the sector’s work in Myanmar was much more development-centered, although there was a significant aid focus north of the country where the Rohingya population, an ethnic minority, was being persecuted by the military. But now, amid displacement, violence, and deteriorating health, that focus on aid work has increased, said Andrew Wilson, country director at Helvetas Myanmar. That means that the candidates recruiters are looking for, regardless of whether the role is directly in humanitarian aid, ideally have some experience in a humanitarian setting, said Freeke. “They're looking for people with field experience and contextual understanding … They're looking for people who have experience in the areas directly relevant to what's happening in the Myanmar crisis and response efforts being waged,” Freeke said, adding that staff members also need to be able to respond to the increasing threats of floods and cyclones. “People there are suffering persecution, torture, displacement. There are human rights issues as well as climate issues.” 3. Soft skills Amid such a tumultuous situation, there are a number of soft skills experts believe are key right now when working in Myanmar. Patience and resilience are two that Wilson cited whilst Sazad said compassion and understanding are also important. “Some people are facing a crisis. Some people are facing trauma in their family. Understanding mental health is also important … and being flexible, being patient, and being compassionate,” he said. For any more senior positions, Freeke said they must have “a very good empowering and empathetic leadership and working style because these [aid] efforts have been ongoing for so long and they need a lot of resources.” At the same time, resources are scant. Myanmar is among the world’s most underfunded crises. Its Humanitarian Plan for 2024 is only 32% funded. With that in mind, Wilson said: “It’s an environment where you need to really think quickly.” Additionally, Sazad recommended that candidates have “a multicultural mindset.” Oftentimes being supported by overseas organizations and amid a conflict in which other countries are trying to intervene, perception of where Myanmar fits into the broader Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ sphere would be helpful. Freeke agreed, explaining that an understanding of geopolitics would be helpful too. “It's really important to get somebody who ticks a lot of boxes and brings a global mindset as well as local context,” she said. 4. Flexibility The context is ever-changing and that means that NGOs and aid workers have to have a degree of flexibility, aid Freeke. Her clients “wanted people with adaptability and flexibility to work in these constantly changing, complex and fragile environments.” For international staff members, it might mean that their location of work changes if a visa can’t be processed; or that activities change if new legal nuances mean initially-authorized programs are no longer so. Since coming to power, SAC has implemented certain restrictions on the work that NGOs and aid agencies can do — mainly focussed on ensuring they don’t support those they believe oppose their rule — and this has impacted aid workers’ ability to get visas. As a result, many now operate remotely out of neighboring countries such as Thailand. Save the Children, for example, stated in its previous advertisement for a Myanmar chief of party to manage malaria control that the role could be based out of Yangon or Bangkok and remains contingent on donor approval and funding. One of the roles Freeke hired for was also to be based in Thailand. Ready to stand out from the crowd and get noticed by the recruiters who matter most? Update your Devex profile and start connecting with top global development recruiters now.