So I have a demo call with an advisor from DevelopmentAid job board, and it just feels way better than Devex, with many more options and features to find jobs. I find it a bit costly tho.

Have anyone here had any experience with it?

Hello. I'm a student who are thinking of applying OECD internship in Paris next year. I'll be senior at that time. I haven't been doing much about some academic things, and the only spec I have is that I am the awardee of the competition which is related to the division I want to apply(I wrote a paper. Data analysis, some mathematical methods by myself). Also when I apply, I would have certificate also related to the division. The certificate is an important factor to get a job, and can have with it. But usually have to pass another test. The last thing is that English is not my first language but I can be fluent enough to take a written test and interview until next year since I'm training hard. So, the question is, is it worth it to try or is it just a waste of time?

*ps. I wrote this question without searching anything. So I think you can guess my English level.

🌍 Hey everyone! 🌱

I stumbled upon this Reddit and thought it’d be awesome to share a project of mine while exploring potential collaborations!

📈 I've studied economics, worked in an IO, and am now in finance. I think that climate change is mainly an economics problem and I would like to do something about it.

So, I recently launched a newsletter where I post daily articles on climate finance, sustainable finance and climate change issues📰💼🌎

If you're interested in these topics or keen to help unf**k this climate crisis 🌍✨, it’d be amazing to connect!

Hi guys,

I just landed my first International Development job and I'm very excited. The only issue is that it pays significantly less than my current job. I'm currently the only one working to support my husband through his education so it will be a big hit to our finances. I'm conflicted because l've worked so hard to get this job and both my degrees are in International Development. What do y'all advise ?

Hey there! There is a fantastic consultancy that I have a good chance of getting with FAO in Rome. It would be for 100 days (maximum allowed as I am not on the roster), and I just have a few questions I hope others can help with!

1. Is there a resource document that has recent day rates that I can refer to?
2. Do consultancy contracts usually include flights, visa and allow for an accompanying dependent (as I am a single mom with a toddler)?
3. Do consultants get any sort of benefits, or do I need to factor in cost of health insurance etc?
4. I’m a US citizen. Do I pay taxes in Italy?
5. Can anyone living in Rome give me an idea of present day living costs?

Thank you so much!

I’ve already got a masters in international development, I’m wondering whether there are any other skills or qualifications I can gain to give me an edge in this industry?

I am from the UK. I currently have an undergraduate in Politics and Philosophy and a MSc Masters in International Development from 2 red brick Universities in the UK both with 2:1 results. I have mixed part time experience in various organisations from social media and marketing in an anti extremism organisation to working with young people on local community projects. I have just finished a 1.5 year contract as a resettlement and integration officer with a local council working with refugees and migrants finding housing and helping them with benefits.

I’m not sure how best to move forward, i.e. what experience in or outside of international development would be good, as I’m not sure what exactly I want to work in within international development. The industry seems quite hard to workout in terms of the best skills to learn or how to get in. I would like to know whether there any courses, skills or more education I could undertake. Kinda just in need of some advice, if there any particular areas that I could gain education or experience in that would help me in getting a job, whether it be analytical, financial etc etc I’m open to it, or do I just need to get a lucky break?

I used to have a job in development at a job that I didn't much care for, so I left to pursue other opportunities. Now, years later and trying to get back into it, I feel like I've aged out of so many opportunities. I don't have the skillset that seems to be in vogue now, and none of my applications are getting any bites. After three years of looking, I'm starting to consider giving up and moving onto something else. And it's crazy 'cause I'm only in my 30s, so it feels like it can't be true, but that's what it feels like. Anyone with any boots on the ground know if this is the situation right now or if there's something else going on?

Hello! I am a 3 year economics student at University of Costa Rica. I want to apply to the OECD internship in Paris, France. I was wondering if anyone could share some of their experience with me. Also, I want to go in 2025, preferably second semester, so when should I apply?

Hi everyone,

I see a lot of content and things online about the YPP application process but can’t seem to find anything about what it’s like to get into the program and go through it. Any ADB YPP alum want to share your experience?

A few questions I’m most interested in:

1. What was your background going into the program?
2. What kind of projects did you work on and what did your day to day look like?
3. What were the best and worst parts of the program for you?
4. Did you stay on with ADB afterwards?
5. Did you spend all 3 years in Manila at HQ? And how is life in Manila?
6. If you moved with your spouse were they able to get a job in Manila?
7. Would you do it again if you had the chance?

Any insight is appreciated. Thanks!

Hi, as the title suggests I’m feeling really stuck on how to start my career and feel like I’m wasting my life atm and the added pressure and anxiety of not having to have a job is weighing on me.

I finished my masters in Poverty and Development in June and since have had a hard time trying to get work at all, I’ve realized I want to work within the Partnerships area but having applied to so many places I’m not not even getting a call back, just turned 24 and feel like I have little experience as I thought my education and volenteering I did along the way would help but it hasn’t sadly.

More so all the supposed “entry” level job hunt sights or jobs themselves require a decent amount of experience in the first place.

Like atm I am so ready to work whatever and where ever I am applying globally for volunteering, for NGOs for entry positions and I’m not getting anything back and it’s so discouraging.

I’m considering maybe doing a Project management course or do a data analysis course to see if it helps or maybe something in grants but I don’t know how tho I won’t give up, if you could give me tips on where it’s best to get started or where to look for opportunities I would be grateful as I’m feeling lost by the day. Im an Ethiopian living in Italy atm to give you some context, but yeah idk it’s really scary I can’t lie, I feel like my life is going past me and I feel so stagnant.

Hello,

I'll start with a short background on myself as it may be helpful - I am 37m from USA, I have worked most of my career in real estate and residential construction. I had corporate jobs for companies who financed and owned apartment buildings. I also own investment properties and have done smaller construction projects and apartment developments.

I left my corporate job about a year and a half ago to travel. In South Africa I met a guy who had studied financial aspects of ID. I am somewhat open to a career change and after witnessing first hand many of the problems around the world I was considering ID.

I was asking the guy in South Africa about volunteer projects etc and he recommended I look into a CEFE certification and consulting. I have been able to reach the main office in Cologne and they directed me to a branch in Venezuela that is holding trainings. The problem is, the trainings are in Spanish and I am not fluent. I speak some but would not be comfortable attending a training in the language. Now I am searching for another branch to get involved with that would hold trainings/projects in English.

After that long intro, my questions are:

How is CEFE viewed in the ID world? I have tried to search this forum but haven't found any posts but on LinkedIn, most members seem to have pretty established careers.

Is this something worth pursuing if I am interested in ID? Or even if I go back to work in the USA, I feel like this is something I would like to get involved with as I am interested in entrepreneurship etc and trying to make at least some difference in these lesser developed countries.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a CEFE group I could get involved with. The central office in Cologne does not have a data base as most branches seem to operate independently.

Any guidance here would be appreciated, thank you.

Hi, please can I have some honest advice from those working in international development. I'm very stuck right now.

I'm a qualified teacher from the UK, who has been working overseas in international schools. I love teaching but was starting to get fed up of the money pumped into international education and wealth gaps, I wanted a change. I've now moved to London and have started a MA Education and International Development. The course is very expensive and I'm just at the ppunt where I need to pay fees, I don't have a lot of money behind me family wise and will take all my savings to do.

Now, I'm on the course I'm starting to se how difficult moving into this field is going to be and at 36 I'm stressing this just isn't doable with so little field experience. I've secured two volunteer posts, one for a community refugee programme and the second for an NGO that works overseas. Lots of the people on my course are much younger and moving from undergrad to postgrad. Or there are a few people who have tons of experience and doing this course as a top up, funded by their work.

My worry is that it just feel impossible to break into the field without experience and I might be better off changing to an MA Education course without ID to focus on my teaching career which with my salary I can use to volunteer and gain experience in the field during school holidays. I definitely can't afford to do an internship if I use the money to do the Ed and ID course (that's if I even get an internship). But I could afford to get some field experience if I'm teaching and building my profile during holidays.

Any advice? Experience over higher education? Or is it better to do the MA because it also shows I'm moving in that direction? Or better of sticking to my lane?

Many thanks for any advice.

An “International Peoples’ Tribunal Vs. The International Monetary Fund and The World Bank” (IPT) - the first of its kind to be hosted and launched in the Philippines - will be held on Saturday, October 26, at the UP Film Center in Quezon City to indict the two leading financial institutions for violations of human rights and environmental standards over their 80-year existence.

The Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development organized the IPT together with 30 international groups, including those from Asia, Africa and Latin America. They called the gathering a "historic moment" for social justice movements to "charge and prosecute the two institutions for the economic and social harm they have inflicted on countries and communities across the Global South."

APMDD coordinator Lidy Nacpil said: "For decades, the IMF and World Bank have hidden behind their deceiving façade of development and poverty alleviation. But in reality, their policies have deepened inequality, fostered corruption, and prioritized the interests of wealthy nations over the needs of vulnerable communities. This tribunal provides a space to speak truth to power, especially for grassroots and ordinary working people who are often denied access to justice in formal legal systems and processes.”

She added that in the face of multiple crises of inequality, debt, and climate change, the Tribunal represents a bold attempt to shine a light on the IMF and the World Bank and the adverse impacts of their programs and policies on communities and the environment. “It is a call for justice, for reparations, and demanding a new model of development—one that centers on people and the planet, not profits,” Nacpil said.

Atty. Luke Espiritu, one of the Tribunal’s prosecutors, stressed: "This is more than just pointing fingers at the IMF and World Bank. It’s about holding them accountable and demanding reparations. The deception is glaring in the way they proclaim their mission to eradicate poverty while pursuing failed measures such as pushing more loans as the solution to crises, including the crisis of climate which developing countries did not cause.”

The IMF and the World Bank are being charged with accountabilities for the following:

Accumulation of unsustainable and illegitimate debts. The institutions have created a system of unsustainable debt, forcing countries in the Global South to prioritize loan repayments over social welfare, leaving many in deep poverty.

Loan conditionalities that compel borrowing government to slash public spending for essential services

Climate chaos and destruction through continued fossil fuel lending and support for fossil fuel projects

Widespread hunger through economic conditionalities that weaken food systems and undermine production of food staples

Exploitation of women’s care labor and violation of women’s rights.

The tribunal will be presided over by an International Panel of Judges composed of distinguished and respected economists, lawyers and academicians. These include Filipino lawyer and climate law professor Tony La Vina; Stanford University lecturer Kumi Naidoo; Prof. CP Chandrasekhar of Jawaharlal Nehru University, India; former Malaysia member of Parliament Charles Santiago; Prof. Fadhel Kaboub, senior adviser of Power Shift Africa; Society for International Development senior advisor Manuel Montes; Third World Network Director Chee Yoke Ling; Prof. Anuradha Chenoy of Jindal Global University, India; and Law and Society Trust (Sri Lanka) Executive Director Sakuntala Kadirgamar.

The Tribunal’s first session in Manila will be followed by sessions in Nepal, India, Africa and Latin America. The final verdict will be passed in April 2025.

Tl;dr: I am unsure of what specific fields there are in development and want to know more, plus grad degree recommendations.

Hi everyone,

I am looking for advice as I plan out my future and ideal course to working in the field of development.

I obtained my bachelors degree studying Economics and International Relations, with a minor in entrepreneurship. Upon graduation, I have begun working as a financial analyst with a F500 company. Before I entered university, I participated in a three year service program having spent time in South America, but nothing to the extent of the Peace Corps.

My long term career goal is to work in the field of development, however It is a very broad field and I am not exactly sure what is my particular interest in the field. To give some context of my interests and academic experience, I have always been fascinated with international trade and trade policy, designing and creating USAID proposals, private sector development, and program and project management. I love listening to economic podcasts like Planet Money and watching YouTube videos about how infrastructure and investment lead to improved economic outcomes.

Based on some research and people I’ve chatted to before, a career as a dev consultant, project manager, or in development finance seems interesting to me. Working for an NGO would be great, but I am also interested in working for a private company. I don’t have solid language skills or very extensive in country experience, so I know many doors may be closed because of that. I know there is so much more to the field and many more possibilities, but I am unsure of what there is out there.

This is where my question comes in; based on my background and interests, what are some more specific areas of development I should look into? Additionally, I know I want to pursue a Masters degree in either the US or Europe. Would an MBA or MPA be sufficient, or would a more specialized degree like an MS in Finance or Development Studies be better?

Thanks!

I’m looking to get into the ID field and was wondering if I could get any thoughts on my candidacy (via experience) and what sort of role/org I’d be a good fit-for in my current state. Ideally I’d be shooting for field roles in conflict/disaster relief, specializing in logistics and transportation.

My experience:

Undergrad - 3 years studying peace and conflict. Field studies in Jammu-Kashmir India, Rwanda, Uganda, Thailand (Myanmar border), and Myanmar.

Worked in conflict relief in remote/frontline Myanmar as an information and reporting manager for 1 year

Transitioned to a role in logistics software as a relationship manager (US)

Transitioned to an operations management role in the trucking industry in the US.

Currently working for Amazon managing a transnational transportation network for one of the their business lines, 3.5yrs.

Currently contemplating applying for a new job after starting a new one about 6 months ago. Curious what others think about the revolving door that is ID.

For context, here is my resume in short:

• 2 years in PC
• 1 year in Fulbright
• 2 years in grad school
• 1 year in public sector (non-ID federal agency)
• 3 years in an NGO
• 6 months in private sector on a USAID project

Found a type of dream job if you will that is with an NGO. Would come at a pretty significant pay cut, but my new job came with a significant pay increase and I'm not entirely salary driven. While I have close to 10 years of professional experience after college, I still don't feel like I have that much work experience given what I did in my 20's so I still feel like I have a bit to learn about the sector in terms of career growth.

What has your experience been with jumping around different jobs in the sector and anything to be cautious about? I'm now starting to feel a little comfortable with the label of "mid-level" in my career, so wondering if time in positions start to matter a little bit less when you start to accrue experience.

Hi all! It's been a while since I've posted on here. Some of you may know of my Substack on international development. I started it just over a year ago, and many of my first supporters were from this sub. I hit 1K subscribers last month, and I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to everyone on here that gave me the encouragement to keep going with the concept. It wouldn't have been the same without you. To anyone thinking about doing similar, feel free to reach out :)

If you haven't read The Developing Economist before, here are some of the most read articles:

• Bangladesh’s development success story
• Sugar, Scandal, and Silence
• Pakistan's internet slowdown and its economic development future

Hi all! Basically the title. Some background:

So i have a maths and a data science degree (bsc/msc). i really would like to get into a role where i can make a positive impact on lives and societies. And where I am closer to the ground than with typical data science jobs.

I came across Monitoring & Evaluation job posts, and this seems like something i could both do and see myself doing.

To me these seem like words that are kind of generic to any data process (first you gather data, then you evaluate the data) but i do understand that it will probably be quite messy in the monitoring and there are probably also a lot of field specific terms and knowledge that would be nice to know. And I’m guessing there is some sort of general framework along which these functions work.

So i thought it would be nice to read a book on the topic. What do you think would be a good place to start?

Also, i noticed that there are a lot of different versions of these acronyms, like ME MEL MEAL PMEL DME etc. Are there big differences or are they more accents?

Lastly, i noticed that a lot of books on the topics i found are from the ‘90s and ‘00s. Are those still relevant? Or would a more recent book be a better start?

Thank you for taking the time to read!

I'm interested in working for USAID in the future, potentially as a Desk Officer in DC or in some other capacity at a mission, and I'm wondering how important it is to have a Master's. I've worked for a USAID contractor (NDI) for several years, so I have experience working on USAID grants. I'm sure having a Master's would help, but I'm not in much of a financial position to pursue one, and I've heard conflicting things on how necessary it is for someone in my position, already having some experience in international development and USAID contracting. Would it be the case that an application wouldn't even be considered if I don't have a Master's, or would having experience and a network matter more? My emphasis would be democratic development and governance, so I'm not sure how much the path to USAID there differs from other development tracks.

I recently applied to ADB YPP 2025. Has anyone else applied, and have they heard back with any updates? Thank you

Hi all!

I hope you are all doing well! This post is a sort of "a shout in the dark" to be honest. Basically the main point of this post is just a small plea to share with me your experience, advice or opinions on how to increase my chances on the development/humanitarian job market.

Let's start with a short bio about me:
I am in my early 30s, I have a Master's degree in Development studies and I have several years experience working for a national donor on humanitarian and development projects as a Project and Finance Manager (however the position is a bit closer to something like Grant/Account manager to be honest). I also have some experience with the UN (I was seconded for 6 months in UNDP) and did a traineeship at the European Commission. I have finished some certified trainings in result-based management, MEAL or project management (I have both Prince2 Foundation and Prince2 Agile Foundation certificates, however they are not valid anymore due to the change in the issuer's policy).

At this moment I am basically at the start of a job hunt and I am looking for a new position, preferably in the UN system or in an international NGO in the area of development cooperation or humanitarian affairs, where I can learn and grow and possibly restart/kick-start my career as well. At this point I am having a bit of a hard time figuring out which way to go in terms of a sector (WASH, food security, etc.) and geographical focus, however I think I am open to anything I would find interesting.

What trainings or certificates would you recommend to a person in their early stages of job hunting? What trainings/certificates/skills do you think are especially valued these days by the organizations active in these sectors? What skills or trainings could possibly help me stand out among the competition in the recruitment stage? On what topics or skills should I focus, do you think?

Do you also have any experience with Academy for Humanitarian Action? They seem to offer quite interesting courses and I don't think having an extra certificate would hurt.

Thanks so much in advance, looking forward to hear from you!

Hi everyone,

First of all this is my first post on this reddit, so I hope I’m following all the customs and rules correctly. I have posted pretty much the same post on the r/humanitarian but i haven't received any answers to my questions. I guess I am not that good at enhancing the visibily of my posts. Anyway, I thought I should also post it here since my questions also apply to the development sector.

So a bit of necessary background first: my girlfriend and I have been together for 10 years, and we’re both working in social aid-related fields. She holds a master’s degree in law and has been practicing as an immigration lawyer for the past three years, focusing exclusively on cases involving international protection/asylum requests. She’s fluent in French, English, Dutch, and has some knowledge of Spanish. On my side, I have a master’s in political science/public administration, with four years of experience in Monitoring & Evaluation (+ grant management) for a local government crime prevention program. I’m fluent in French and English, know a bit of Spanish, and I’m actively learning Arabic. We both studied abroad and pursued additional specialized master's programs: hers in international public law, and mine in public policy analysis. We also have volunteering experience, mostly in migration aid, including providing French classes, guardianship for unaccompanied minors, and legal assistance.

We both enjoy our current jobs and feel that we’re contributing to meaningful work, but we’re also drawn to transitioning into the humanitarian sector/development sector, with the hope of applying our skills and experiences internationally.

That being said, there are two main questions we’re grappling with:

1. According to you and when looking at our respective profiles, do our professional experiences provide meaningful value for the humanitarian sector/development sector, or is there something we’re missing to really be competitive in those sectors?
2. How feasible is it to find positions abroad that are close enough geographically so we could continue living together?

We’re not too concerned about salary cuts or job conditions, and we’re open to various locations. That said, I’ve spent some time in the Middle East (Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon), and it would be a bonus to work in that region, not necessarily in the countries mentionned here above.

If you have any feedback or advice for us we would really appreciate it. Looking forward to reading your insights!

Hi all,

I'm in my mid 30's and have got to the level of Director in an energy trade association where I lead a team of 15 people. Prior to that I worked for large industry in management roles. I have a lot of exposure to politicians in my role (European Commission, European Parliament, National Government Ministers) and enjoy that. My role has also meant that in the past 18 months I have been doing some work with the OECD, attending and speaking in roundtables etc. I always find the discussions fascinating and I leave the meetings feeling inspired and enjoying the high level of competence and knowledge from the secretariat and other participants. I also have several friends working at the OECD in various roles.

My question is this. Is it possible to apply to specific workstreams at the OECD (for example, green energy finance, decarbonisation etc) or does everyone go in as a 'Policy Analyst' and is then allocated to a random team? There are a number of workstreams that I'm part of at the OECD that I really enjoy, but I wouldn't want to end up doing something unrelated to my experience.

I'm also interested to hear what people may think of me going in with my experience as a Policy Analyst. Will I get frustrated by the lack of autonomy and not leading a team?

Separately, do they ever open positions for Team Leaders, Managers etc? Or is it only through internal promotion that those roles get allocated? I've seen Director-level roles advertised from time to time but noting below apart from Policy Analysts.

Thanks!

Hey there - I have passed the exam and first interview for a job in Sri Lanka with the IWMI, but I literally cannot find ANY info from anyone on working there, the hiring process or anything related to IWMI from employees. I would love some insight on how to prepare for the final interview, what is the office like in Sri Lanka and team members, work/life balance etc. Anything would be appreciated!

Hello. I just found this subreddit and I immediately came across this post about feeling jaded in International Development. It looks like I'm a few days late replying to that thread, and /u/Fragrant_Papaya_9223 I hope you see this. I'm not sure what your exact background is, but I want to thank you for the work that you've done. I am a software engineer in America by day, but I run a construction company in the Philippines at night. We take on government bids that most other contractors don't want to do, because they are not profitable enough, too technically complex, a logistical nightmare, etc. As you can imagine, many of these projects are some of the highest impact projects for some of the most vulnerable populations. This year, we completed 13 projects from hugely different domains: LCL housing, solar lamp installations, irrigation repairs, rural health/birthing units, rainwater catchment systems, and more.

Recently, we accepted a $60 million PHP project financed by the World Bank to build a public refrigerated warehouse to bolster the cold chain in Mindanao. This warehouse will literally save lives and livelihoods. The funding from external partners has created over one hundred jobs in our company from entry level construction labor to foreperson roles to advanced structural engineering positions.

We know that you have to wade through a bunch of bullshit in order for you to make this happen for us. It's sometimes hard to keep going when you don't or can't see the end result. I know some organizations feel less impactful than others. Your labor may feel invisible, but I cannot tell you how much I appreciate what everybody in your sector is doing to literally save strangers' worlds.

Hi!

I am planning to apply for my masters for the Fall 2025 cycle. A bit about me:

Bachelor's in Business Administration, GRE 324 (Q164), 5 years of work experience (3 years in UNDP, 1 year in the humanitarian sector and 1 year in the private sector). My work is mostly programmatic where I am involved in work related to skills, employment, rural development and women's economic empowerment. But I enjoy research and policy analysis. I am good at numbers so would like my academic background to reflect that.

I aspire to keep working in the development sector for think tanks, organizations like the World Bank and the UN after I graduate from my masters. Now I am confused whether I should get an economics degree or a public policy degree. Which would be more appealing t to these organizations? Please suggest!

Hi everyone, I’m curious to know which newsletters, magazines, or news portals you follow to stay updated on international development trends?