Who’s still hiring for short-term consultancy roles?

The global development sector is bracing for a profound shift. Following historic upheaval across the U.S. foreign aid complex — with tens of thousands of U.S. government and implementing partner roles at risk — consulting is no longer just a stopgap. For many seasoned professionals, it’s becoming the primary way to stay active, generate income, and continue contributing to the sector they care about. However, with hundreds of thousands of positions frozen or eliminated after this year’s aid funding freeze, the consultancy market is becoming increasingly crowded. Experts warn that an oversupply of consultants could drive down rates, intensify competition, and change how development work gets delivered — with more professionals taking on fractional roles, piecing together project-based gigs, or pivoting to adjacent sectors such as environmental, social and governance or corporate social responsibility. Still, amid the uncertainty, opportunities do remain. Over the last three months, the Devex job board listed nearly 2,600 short-term consultant roles — a 26.9% decrease compared to the same period last year, reflecting the overall contraction of available opportunities. Openings span multilateral development banks, United Nations agencies, NGOs, and some for-profit implementers, covering a wide range of sectors and geographies — from climate experts in East Asia and the Pacific and legal specialists in Bhutan to research and proposal consultancies in Africa and Europe. To help those navigating this new terrain, we’ve compiled a list of top employers currently hiring short-term consultants. These are the organizations posting opportunities right now — and offering a potential foothold in what looks like an increasingly freelance-driven future for global development. Top multilateral organizations hiring for short-term consultants 1. Asian Development Bank Headquarters: Mandaluyong City, Philippines Year founded: 1966 Total short-term consultant jobs posted since Jan. 24: 561 The Asian Development Bank, or ADB, is a development finance institution dedicated to poverty reduction and the promotion of economic development in Asia and the Pacific. ADB is currently hiring a consultant to help develop a road map for private sector participation in Bangladesh. View all current job postings from ADB on Devex. 2. UNICEF Headquarters: New York City, United States Year founded: 1946 Total short-term consultant jobs posted since Jan. 24: 414 UNICEF's mission is to protect the rights of every child around the world. Current openings include a consultant to assist Papua New Guinea’s Department of Education in reviewing and appraising its National Education Plan. View all current job postings from UNICEF on Devex. 3. World Bank Group Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States Year founded: 1944 Total short-term consultant jobs posted since Jan. 24: 264 The World Bank provides financial and technical assistance to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development globally. Among others, it is seeking a consultant to support the government of Tajikistan in establishing its Information and Analytical Centre for Social Protection of Population. View all current job postings from the World Bank Group on Devex. 4. African Development Bank Headquarters: Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire Year founded: 1964 Total short-term consultant jobs posted since Jan. 24: 167 The African Development Bank’s mission is to promote sustainable economic development and social progress across Africa. It is currently recruiting a consultant to help implement an electronic archiving system for the Northern Agro-Industrial Hub Project in Côte d’Ivoire. View all current job postings from the African Development Bank Group on Devex. 5. United Nations Development Programme Headquarters: New York City, United States Year founded: 1965 Total short-term consultant jobs posted since Jan. 24: 127 UNDP works globally to help countries achieve sustainable development through policy advice, technical assistance, and partnerships. Current openings include a consultant who will conduct a needs assessment to develop advocacy and service delivery of CSOs in Bhutan. View all current job postings from the UNDP on Devex. 6. Organization of Ibero-American States Headquarters: Madrid, Spain Year founded: 1949 Total short-term consultant jobs posted since Jan. 24: 81 The Organization of Ibero-American States, or OEI, fosters collaboration among Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking Ibero-American countries in education, science, and culture to achieve a better future. Over the past few months, OEI has had several openings for consultants in social communication to help carry out studies and research in the organization’s various education projects in Brazil. View all current job postings from the OEI on Devex. Other organizations hiring short-term consultants 1. Expertise France Headquarters: Paris, France Year founded: 2015 Total short-term consultant jobs posted since Jan. 24: 38 Expertise France is the French agency that implements technical cooperation projects in partner countries worldwide. It is currently recruiting experts to support the Strengthening the Rule of Law and Justice for Central African Citizens project. View all current job postings from Expertise France on Devex. 2. World Resources Institute Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States Year founded: 1982 Total short-term consultant jobs posted since Jan. 24: 32 The World Resources Institute is a research organization that develops solutions to protect the environment and combat climate change. It is currently hiring an associate to support urban development and public spaces enhancement initiatives in Bengaluru and Warangal, India. View all current job postings from the World Resources Institute on Devex. 3. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Year founded: 1919 Total short-term consultant jobs posted since Jan. 24: 16 IFRC is a humanitarian network that mobilizes assistance worldwide to improve the lives of people affected by natural and human-made disasters. It is currently hiring an adviser to improve coordination across its global movement and strengthen impact for communities affected by emergencies. View all current job postings from the IFRC on Devex. 4. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit Headquarters: Bonn, Germany Year founded: 2011 Total short-term consultant jobs posted since Jan. 24: 14 GIZ is the German agency that provides international cooperation services to support sustainable development worldwide. GIZ recently had several openings for individual consultants to support their projects in climate change, environmental policy, and circular economy in India, Indonesia, and Ghana. View all current job postings from GIZ on Devex. 5. International Water Management Institute Headquarters: Colombo, Sri Lanka Year founded: 1984 Total short-term consultant jobs posted since Jan. 24: 8 The International Water Management Institute, or IWMI, is a research organization focused on the sustainable management of water resources for social and economic development. The institute recently had openings for country engagement specialists and data consultants around East Africa and South Asia. View all current job postings from IWMI on Devex. 6. Rainforest Alliance Headquarters: New York City, United States Year founded: 1987 Total short-term consultant jobs posted since Jan. 24: 7 The Rainforest Alliance is a nonprofit that works to protect nature and improve the lives of farmers and forest communities worldwide. In recent months, the Rainforest Alliance sought consultants to provide technical and management support for their various projects in Latin America. View all current job postings from Rainforest Alliance on Devex.