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 isnt 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.
Its 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 businessoriented 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.

Whether youre a seasoned expert or budding development professional

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kate Warren
Follow @DevexCareers
Kate Warren is the senior director and editor of careers and recruiting content
at Devex. With more than a decade of international development recruitment
experience working with international NGOs, consulting firms and donor agencies,
she has a finger on the pulse of hiring trends across the industry and insider
knowledge on what it takes to break in.