Throughout 2024, some NGOs and aid agencies, including Save the Children and the International Rescue Committee, have had to make redundancies — a reflection of shrinking aid budgets across the board. While hiring freezes and organizational cuts are nothing new, for some professionals, this year marks an unprecedented spike.
“This is the worst period I've ever seen in my career in terms of difficulty in changing jobs, the length of time that people are unemployed between jobs, and just how hard it is to get in at entry level, make transitions mid-career, or stay and find what to do next for your career if you're at a senior level,” said Claire Mahon, a coach for people working in the humanitarian and development sectors. “I've had a lot of new clients who come to me because they're either affected by these changes or they're trying to get ahead of the game.”
For those affected by cuts, the prospect of unemployment naturally comes with fear, anxiety, and potential panic as it rocks an individual’s financial security, but in this sector, it can affect so much more. For professionals whose role may have meant relocation, the redundancy can affect their visa eligibility and the ability to stay in a country. If a person has traveled with their family, it can mean changes in their children’s schooling and access to health care. It presents gaping questions that global development professionals must then scramble to answer.