Where to work: 7 types of global development employers

There are many different ways to get involved in global development work, and a wide range of actors playing a role in this expanding sector. Deciding what kinds of organization you want to work with is an important step to breaking in or advancing your career. Here are seven different kinds of employers to consider. 1. International nongovernmental organizations Some of the more dominant players working in international development are nongovernmental organizations. They can range from big, household names like Care, Save the Children and BRAC to small, family-run organizations that may focus on a very specific cause. NGOs are typically on the front lines, delivering aid and implementing programs funded by bilateral and multilateral donors. Many of their positions are based in a home office, often in developed countries like the United Kingdom or United States, although some organizations, like Oxfam, are in the process of moving operations or headquarters to the developing world. Check out the career profiles of over 1,500 NGOs working worldwide that you might want to consider, along with their current and past job opportunities. 2. Charities Some charities consider themselves to be NGOs and vice versa, and the difference in names can sometimes come down to semantics or how leaders of an organization choose to brand it. However, charities typically rely more on private donations — say from concerned individuals or a church affiliation. True charities may rely on more volunteers versus a professionalized labor force and sometimes have a reputation for not being as focused on sustainable development and impact as other actors in global development, one reason that many may decide to instead brand themselves as an NGO. Another reason that some organizations have shied away from this descriptor is that it can portray a top-down approach, where the beneficiaries are helpless people in need of a handout versus an agent of their own development. In some parts of the world, like the U.K., the term charity may be more widely used. 3. Local civil society organizations Also sometimes referred to as NGOs, civil society organizations or CSOs are typically very localized organizations working directly in their own communities. They may secure funding from a larger NGO or government to deliver social services or other development assistance. CSOs almost exclusively hire local employees, as there isn’t the budget — or need — to bring in international candidates. For individuals who want to work internationally, however, working for a local CSO is often a first step and can give you the skills and experience required of internationally hired positions. 4. Consulting and professional services firms Governments, bilateral agencies like DFAT, DfID and USAID and international finance institutions like the World Bank deliver a large chunk of their funding by contracting the work out to private firms. Global consulting giants like Deloitte and Grant Thornton have divisions focused on emerging and developing markets where you can work on development assistance projects. There are also thousands of smaller consulting firms specializing in international development that that work alongside NGOs, governments and international organizations. It’s often hard to differentiate between an NGO or consulting firm, as many play a similar role in international development and may be both partners and competitors. Many consulting firms are very mission driven in their work and employ passionate people who care deeply about making a difference in the world. Some NGOs have a more business-oriented approach to how they do their work, investing heavily in marketing and business development and running an efficient, professionalized organization. Check out the career profiles of over 2,600 consulting firms working in international development. 5. International/multilateral organizations Sometimes called international organizations or multilateral organizations, these are the large agencies many associate with development assistance, such as the United Nations and its various specialized agencies like UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA and UNHCR. It can also include development banks like the Asian Development Bank and African Development Bank. Notoriously hard to break into, many aspiring development workers’ dream job is to work for one of these organizations. Most opportunities are for people at the mid to senior level of their career, although competitive young professional programs are also available. Often with a reputation for being slow moving bureaucracies, they also are known for providing excellent benefits and career opportunities once you make it in. Read: 4 Myths about working with the United Nations 6. Bilateral/government agencies You can also choose to work directing for a government agency that funds development projects. For full-time staff positions, you almost always have to be a citizen of the country the agency is representing. For example, you must to be a U.S. citizen to work for USAID. While some agencies are looking to bulk up their internal technical expertise, many of the positions available focus on more operational, administrative and managerial aspects of development work and coordination with other stakeholders. Like multilateral organizations, positions can be competitive and involve lengthy, cumbersome application processes, and the agencies can have a reputation for being unwieldy bureaucracies. However, they can also be a more stable employer than organizations that tend to hire project-based positions. While the work may be less hands-on than what you would find with an NGO, you are also able to work alongside multiple actors in the sector. 7. Corporations A new kind of employer you can increasingly find working in development is the large corporation. Corporates like Pfizer, Nestle or Exxon/Mobile are investing in global development as either part of their global business strategy or more general philanthropic work. As corporations increasingly look to make smarter investments in global development, they are also looking for people who can create partnerships with governments and NGOs and build cooperation across these three sectors. It can be very hard to identify these positions, but you can learn more about this emerging sector and career opportunities by visiting Devex Impact. You can also consider working with other employers like foundations, volunteer organizations or even social enterprises. Search our directory of over 11,000 employers worldwide to find which organization might be right for you.