What we know about the highest-paying globaldev jobs in the US

It’s generally accepted that people do not pursue a career in global development to earn a high salary. But this doesn’t mean that some high-level positions within certain organizations do not come with significant monetary rewards. As part of an ongoing effort to highlight salary trends across the development sector, this article looks at organizations and positions that offered the highest ceilings in terms of annual salaries last year, based on an analysis of postings from Devex’s job board. These positions were advertised in 2021 and based in the United States. Devex is continuing to analyze salary data from a variety of regions and sectors with the aim of providing useful insights to both job seekers and recruiters. For now, here is what is known about some of the top-paying development positions in the U.S., including what organizations were seeking in candidates and who ultimately landed the roles. Wikimedia Foundation: Chief executive officer and executive director Max salary: $400,000 Location: United States In February 2021, the nonprofit organization that supports and operates Wikipedia and other “free knowledge projects” was seeking a new CEO with “the proven ability to step into an ambitious growth-oriented tech/product environment.” Maryana Iskander, who had been the CEO at Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, was appointed as Wikimedia Foundation’s next CEO in September. World Bank Group: Vice president of the Infrastructure Practice Group Max salary: $389,900 Location: Washington, D.C. For this four-year, fixed-term role, the World Bank Group was seeking someone to provide strategic leadership for its Infrastructure Practice Group, which is “charged with developing sustainable solutions to help close infrastructure gaps in developing and emerging economies.” This was just one of several WBG job postings among the highest paid, including climate investment fund practice manager and lead transport specialist roles, both offering salaries up to $293,800 per year. Women Deliver: President and chief executive officer Max salary: $300,000 Location: New York City, New York Women Deliver’s search for its new CEO came during a tumultuous period for the organization. After former staffers made public allegations of racism, an independent review was announced in June 2020, with then CEO Katja Iversen taking a leave of absence and then resigning four months later. The position was advertised in June 2021 and Maliha Khan, who had served as the chief programs officer at Malala Fund, was named as the next president and CEO of Women Deliver in April 2022. “In the long term, we are committed to further decolonizing Women Deliver and decentralizing our operations by progressively hiring staff from around the world, and particularly from LMICs,” wrote Khan and Kathleen Sherwin, the organization’s outgoing president and interim CEO, in a recent op-ed for Devex. Purdue Applied Research Institute: Executive director Max salary: $300,000 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana In August, the nonprofit applied research arm of Purdue University sought a “strategic, entrepreneurial visionary with senior leadership experience in international development organizations, multilateral donor and foundation funding” as its next executive director. John Glover, who had served as senior vice president for Plan International USA, was announced as that person in January. Malaria No More: Managing director of global policy and advocacy Max salary: $275,000 Location: Washington, D.C. For this executive-level position, Malaria No More wanted candidates with at least 10 years of experience, who had existing relationships with key figures on Capitol Hill and in the U.S. government, and who had proven success influencing public policy outcomes. Abt Associates Inc.: Chief of party for USAID GRIP Max salary: $275,000 Location: Rockville, Maryland Abt Associates Inc. posted a position to lead the U.S. Agency for International Development-funded Green Recovery Investment Platform, or GRIP — a role that is dependent upon an awarded contract and USAID approval. The role is expected to last five years and would be responsible for “overall technical leadership, management oversight and strategic direction” of the program. Oxfam America: Vice president of global partnerships and impact Max salary: $260,000 Location: Washington, D.C. Based on a June job posting, Oxfam America was targeting an executive-level candidate to lead its global partnerships and impact division, somebody with an “empathetic and highly collaborative approach to leadership” and “proven people management skills.” In late August, the organization announced the appointment of Tawanda Mutasah, a former senior director of international law and policy at Amnesty International, to the position. FHI 360: Director of global health and population research Max salary: $250,000 Location: Washington, D.C. For this leadership role, FHI 360 sought candidates with at least eight years of project management experience and knowledge of nonprofit funding streams to “maintain and expand FHI 360’s portfolio of research in global health and population.” The Palladium Group: Managing partner of the Americas partnership Max salary: $250,000 Location: Washington, D.C. In August, The Palladium Group advertised a managing partner position to help lead one of its three regional partnership divisions. Candidates were required to have “significant prior leadership experience.” A “pre-existing network of contacts within USAID” was preferred. The organization appointed Ricardo Michel, who had previously held senior roles at USAID and FHI Partners, to the role this past January. The World Justice Project: Chief communications officer Max salary: $250,000 Location: Washington, D.C., or Seattle, Washington The advocacy NGO was looking to fill a role that would lead its internal and external communication efforts. The World Justice Project required candidates to have at least eight years of experience in media and/or nonprofit or corporate communications, and “be an energetic and strategic leader of people and projects, committed to WJP’s mission.” Interested in salary transparency and other globaldev career topics? 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