Working for Chemonics: Insider tips on landing a job

In the context of the potential compounding impacts caused by climate change — as highlighted in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report, and the risks that this imposes on ecosystems, biodiversity, and human communities — both in terms of resources and conflict — the diversity of roles to respond to these issues, and thus also the diversity of individuals needed to fulfill them, has grown exponentially. As an international development consulting firm, Chemonics collaborates on a wide variety of projects — from reimagining global supply chains that deliver essential medicines to mobilizing finance in response to climate change and working with governments to address root migration causes in Central America. To learn how applicants can stand out when applying for a job at Chemonics, and more broadly, what individuals pursuing a career in international development consulting should keep in mind, we sat down with Chemonics’ senior director of talent management, Agnieszka Christian and senior specialist of talent management, Nicholle Colón Vargas. What makes a candidate a great employee is their ability to use previous experiences, [both] successes and failures, and adapt them to the new working environments. --— Nicholle Colón Vargas, senior specialist of talent management, Chemonics Looking ahead, Christian told Devex that they are focusing on candidates with knowledge of and experience with “climate change, natural resources management, and energy.” As well as “building peace and democracy to support our work in political transition and stabilization.” However, Vargas also highlighted how “what makes a candidate a great employee is their ability to use previous experiences, [both] successes and failures, and adapt them to the new working environments.” This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. What skills are currently in demand at Chemonics? AC: For corporate positions at the entry-level, we are looking for candidates with good administrative and budgeting skills, good judgment, and professionalism. Language skills are also in demand, particularly Spanish and French. For mid-level roles, we look for people with prior donor experience, specifically USAID, if possible. Given how much work we do with local organizations, grant management experience is a plus. We also value strong supervisory skills. For project office leadership positions, such as chief of party, we look for relevant geographic experience, [with] demonstrated results and [having already shown] great leadership skills. We believe that the best people to lead change in a community are the members of that community. So, like our donors, we also highly value local expertise. NCV: Being a sustainable development firm with complex operations around the world, Chemonics is always searching for employees with great management skills who share our mission. Language skills are highly valued as they enable a more seamless connection with the stakeholders in the communities in which we work. Empathy [is also important] to motivate active listening, [as well as] initiative that will propel creative solutions. Good time management skills are [also] imperative in our line of work. In today’s remote work environment, the ability to work independently while building trust and rapport are great skills to have. What types of roles have been a priority for Chemonics this past year, and what roles will be a focus moving forward? AC: Corporately, we are consistently and actively recruiting for entry-level, specifically senior associate, positions. Project and program management roles are also in high demand, and we are currently looking for candidates with strong knowledge of and experience with climate change, natural resources management, and energy — as we continue to see more investment in these areas. That said, we are always looking ahead, and are seeing more opportunities for positions that are focused on building peace and democracy to support our work in political transition and stabilization. NCV: Going forward, we also anticipate an increase in support roles that provide a focus on business compliance, new business development, and efficiency in operations management. What helps applications stand out? AC: Prior experience with our clients, competitors, and partners will make an application stand out. For example, if one of our recruiters sees a CV that includes an internship with USAID or prior work experience with one of our subcontractors or competitors, that shows us that you know this business and have a genuine interest. Additionally, candidates with business development skills — including strong writing and research skills, the ability to put together competitive proposals, recruiting top talent, and the ability to select and negotiate with subcontractors — stand out. While all our stand-out applicants share our passion for creating meaningful change around the world, we continuously strive to build a strong talent pipeline of candidates who offer a diversity of thought, background, culture, and experience. [This is important] so that we as a company can be more innovative, agile, empathetic, and effective in our work. NCV: Recruiters are on the lookout for transferable skills, so my recommendation to applicants is to list interesting projects that they have participated in, with particular emphasis on their individual impact and results. How does Chemonics value technical skills vs transferable skills? AC: We value both. While we need niche technical skills for some positions, we need transferable skills for all positions. Transferable skills include collaboration, adaptability, attention to detail, ability to understand, communicate, and effectively interact with people across cultures — all are necessary. We have a very flexible approach to work location, so whether you are working from our D.C. office, remotely, or in our project offices, we expect you to be professional, have respect for your colleagues, and communicate effectively. Incredible technical skills, as important as they are, will not make up for a lack of ability to collaborate. NCV: What makes a candidate a great employee is their ability to use previous experiences, [both] successes and failures, and adapt them to the new working environments. Although each company will have its own way of doing things — Chemonics certainly does — being able to translate that experience into another company culture and standard operating procedures is quite valuable. I would recommend that applicants showcase how their experience transfers into the capacity to fulfill the responsibilities of the job. This might require tailoring your CV to each firm you apply to, but I do believe it's a worthwhile effort. To what extent does an applicant's academic background need to match the position that they are applying for? And do you specifically seek out applicants with a master’s degree? AC: For corporate positions, it is less of a key factor than it is for billable project roles where the donor may require a very specific degree. Relevant degrees show dedication and commitment to a given field or technical area, so they are helpful. NCV: Our jobs are leveled according to the education required. Depending on the role, the professional background and education may be critical, especially if a donor requires it or it is necessary for the project’s success. Master’s degrees are not required for every role and we encourage all applicants to apply if they meet the qualifications. Are there types of experience, such as volunteering and internships, that are particularly valuable for an applicant to have? AC: Internships with donor agencies or other similar organizations — like USAID, the World Bank, and the United Nations — will stand out. Additionally, any work done abroad, such as in the Peace Corps or other international development work, is a plus. We highly value local expertise — 90% of our workforce is from the communities in which we work — so we encourage those passionate about creating change in their communities to check out our job openings and reach out. NCV: Volunteering and internships are valuable work experiences. International development exposure is always helpful as it will provide a base for additional growth. However, if you are looking to newly enter the international development space and haven’t had the opportunity to volunteer or go overseas because your circumstances don’t allow it, engage with international development firms through social media platforms, free memberships, and networking groups such as the Society for International Development – United States, for example.