Many professionals choose a career in international development precisely because they want to live and work abroad. But there are many reasons why aspiring aid workers should consider a career in their home country, even if positions may seem less glamorous.
If you come from a major donor country like the United Kingdom, Australia or those found in North America or Western Europe, chances are you can find a job working in global development without packing your bags. NGOs, consulting firms and donor agencies that fund them typically have significant headquarters locations that employ hundreds of development professionals at all career levels.
Whether you’re just starting out, looking to make your next career move or reaching the final chapter of your career, here are seven reasons you should consider a domestically based development job.
About the author
Kate Warren@KateDWarren
Kate Warren is the Executive Vice President and Executive Editor of Devex, where she leads a global team of journalists, event producers, and communications and marketing professionals to drive conversations around the most pressing and urgent issues of our time, including climate, global health, food security, philanthropy, humanitarian crises, and foreign aid funding. Through live journalism — via in-person and virtual events — along with insider news, analysis, podcasts, content series, and special reports, Kate and her team ensure the most important ideas, voices, and debates reach an influencer audience to drive impact and make progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
