Which global dev employers are hiring climate experts?

As the United Nations Climate Change Conference draws to a close in Madrid, Devex is taking a look at the hiring trends around climate work in the global development sector. Data from 500 positions specifically related to the environment and natural resources posted on Devex’s job board over the past 90 days sheds some light on where there are opportunities for professionals with a range of climate expertise — including which organizations are hiring, what level of experience they are looking for, and where the jobs are located. Employers are looking for everything from researchers and finance specialists to party chiefs. Half of recent postings required middle- or senior-level candidates, but there were also a significant number of opportunities for more junior professionals, including 52 internships. United Nations agencies, particularly the U.N. Office for Project Services and U.N. Development Programme, were responsible for the majority of the internships. Which organizations are hiring? UNDP has been doing the most hiring in recent months, with a total of 73 job postings related to the environment and natural resources. The agency is hiring for a wide range of roles within this, including experts in climate finance, protected areas system management strategists, and national consultants with specific expertise on various topics. They also need agronomists, permaculture consultants, and monitoring and evaluation professionals. Most of the hiring is for remote or home-based roles, followed by positions in the Philippines, Myanmar, Guinea-Bissau, and the United States. The Asian Development Bank posted 68 positions, with 10 based in India, eight in Pakistan, and significant hiring for the Philippines and Uzbekistan. There is a particular demand for consultants, including opportunities for those with expertise in environmental safeguards. Other roles included specialists in wildlife care and conservation, heritage conservation, and urban planning and policy. Natural Resources Wales, or Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, hired for 37 positions via the Devex job board, although the work is all based in Wales. The organization is hiring for technical support and specialist advisers. The World Bank Group hired for 20 positions, including four senior energy specialists. Six of the positions it hired for were based in the U.S., where the organization has its headquarters. The remaining positions were based in Asia — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, and Laos — and in Africa — Ethiopia, Madagascar, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone. Of the 17 positions that the United Nations Environment Programme posted, 14 were internships. These positions dealt with environment affairs, finance, program management in the science division, and public information. Most of the agency’s hiring is taking place in Kenya, where it has its headquarters, followed by Switzerland and Germany. Other top employers, based on the number of job postings in the environment and natural resources sector over this period, were Robert Bosch Stiftung, the World Resources Institute, Environmental Resources Management, Tetra Tech International Development, and The Pew Charitable Trusts. Where are the jobs? Most of the jobs advertised were based in the United Kingdom and the United States, with 55 postings each. Next was Germany with 38 jobs, followed by Switzerland with 25. Worldwide roles, undertaken remotely, accounted for 20 positions. There was also notable hiring for positions in India, the Philippines, Kenya, Bangladesh, Italy, Myanmar, Thailand, and Pakistan. Find out what opportunities are currently available in environment and natural resources work here.