Hello, same story as many, I'm in my 40s and after 10+ years spent in challenging countries working my ass off I'm a bit tired and want something easier. Last thing I tried was Tunisia (easiest country for dev probably) but I ended up doing a 10 h/d office job and didn't last. Tried to be a desk officer from Europe a couple of years ago and also that was not it. I've a master in water management and being working in wash projects both as PM and water expert. I feel like I have 2 choices now:

• stay in the sector but with a more flexible arrangement, short consultancies/ remote / hybrid. The problem is that a water expert/pm is not very needed anymore, usually local consultant can do it, so I'm thinking about a master in water/energy/food nexus, or climate change, or blue economy/fisheries, to name a few

• do now the transition out of the sector: I wouldn't know where to start really, I can't be a water engineer or similar in Europe, and would have to start from ground 0 as a pm in profit, or environmental Manager (previous job before intdev career) or whatever. I think a master or something with stage is needed also here

Honestly, priority is stability and life quality, short missions are fine, I don't care about salaries and big position, I'll be happy with something laid back where my expertise has some value

Anyone is similar situation? Thanks 🙏🙏

Hi all, I'm looking to start a career in international development. One of the parts of this career that is enticing to me is that you get to live around the world, but it seems like it can be hard to maintain a typical romantic relationship if you change posts a lot. Do most people in this career find a partner who will travel around with them? Are there a lot of people in long-time, long-distance relationships? Or do people come to terms with being single until something more stable comes along?

Hi everyone! I recently started at a top master’s program in international affairs in D.C. Prior to starting, I was thinking of concentrating in international development and going into program management/evaluation or something along those lines (I’ve previously worked in strat comms for a development bank but wanted to transition away from comms).

However, I recently came to the hard realization that for personal and family reasons, I don’t think I would be able to move overseas, and therefore gain field experience. Should I reconsider my career path? Are there any options for me in the field that wouldn’t necessitate an overseas move at some point during my career (not just for a summer internship or other short stint)? Or should I pivot to a different career path in the broader international affairs world? Welcome any thoughts!

Want to be part of the official programming of the United Nations #SummitoftheFuture on Friday? The Forbes Impact Lab wants you there too!

Here’s the scoop! Forbes Impact Lab and the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone to the United Nations are co-hosting “Reimagining the Future: Cultivating Global Opportunities for Youth Through Innovation & Impact,” a dynamic event focused on exploring innovative pathways for youth empowerment worldwide.

The event will take place this Friday, September 20th from 10am – 1pm ET.

As part of the official programming of the Summit of the Future, we will explore this topic through opening keynotes, followed by four transformative panel discussions examining:

📱 How technological innovation & entrepreneurial ecosystems are reshaping the future for African and global youth

👩🏾‍🤝‍👩🏿 How we can create and scale opportunities for women and girls in emerging economies

🧠 How societies can address the mental health challenges faced by young people

☮️ How youth entrepreneurship can drive peace in conflict regions

This event is a must-attend for anyone passionate about harnessing youth potential for a better future and the #ForbesImpact team can’t wait to meet the connectors and creators that care about these issues!

Request to attend HERE: https://lnkd.in/e7xr2bak

Note: In accordance with UN protocol, all requested to attend must be submitted by 5:00 ET, September 18 so UN badges can be issued.

See you there!

Has anyone here transitioned out of the sector . I have been working in the sector for almost a decade in the development and now humanitarian space . I think I am now tired! Being a niche sector how easy is it to pivot to other industries? Has anyone done this successfully. I have just gotten to the point where yes we do a lot of great work but it doesn’t seem we are making a dent in any set goals and It has become routine for me . Thanks !

So after working for a USAID contractor and a Federal Agency specializing in Agricultural Development, I would like to have a more heavy role and more hands on position in Development. I saw on a few projects how GIS and Drones have been used for mapping irrigation, better estimate crop yields and strategically plant crops. How would one break into this subfield of agricultural development? I have been working in this field for about two years and am growing a little tired of contractual reviews, updating trackers and budget monitoring. I was also informed that working for a start up may help with this, but there is still an element of admin work, but it allows you to work more independently and get more hands on. Can anyone offer insights?

Want to be part of the official programming of the United Nations #SummitoftheFuture on Friday? The Forbes Impact Lab wants you there too!

Here’s the scoop! Forbes Impact Lab and the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone to the United Nations are co-hosting “Reimagining the Future: Cultivating Global Opportunities for Youth Through Innovation & Impact,” a dynamic event focused on exploring innovative pathways for youth empowerment worldwide.

The event will take place this Friday, September 20th from 10am – 1pm ET.

As part of the official programming of the Summit of the Future, we will explore this topic through opening keynotes, followed by four transformative panel discussions examining:

📱 How technological innovation & entrepreneurial ecosystems are reshaping the future for African and global youth

👩🏾‍🤝‍👩🏿 How we can create and scale opportunities for women and girls in emerging economies

🧠 How societies can address the mental health challenges faced by young people

☮️ How youth entrepreneurship can drive peace in conflict regions

This event is a must-attend for anyone passionate about harnessing youth potential for a better future and the #ForbesImpact team can’t wait to meet the connectors and creators that care about these issues!

Request to attend HERE: https://www.forbes.com/connect/event/summit-of-the-future-day-1/

Note: In accordance with UN protocol, all requested to attend must be submitted by 5:00 ET, September 18 so UN badges can be issued.

See you there!

Currently in my last year of a master in (corporate-) finance in an us university, I recently discovered my passion for international Development. Especially the more policy oriented side regarding economic dev. as well as consulting in the sector seem very interesting. My dream would be to work at an international org that offers such services (oecd, UN, world bank USaid, GIZ etc…).

My question relates to the master degree, as I know that a masters degree is pretty much a requirement for some roles in that sector. I am wondering if a master in finance closes me some doors, especially in some of the more specialised sectors (policy, economic analysis, project management, gender studies, poverty alleviation) in comparison to a more specialised one, or if internships and concrete experience is more experienced. I like finance, but I would hate to only do admin/background work in said organisations, and am looking for more direct work such as in project management for example. Is a more specialised master a requirement, or am I overthinking? What should I look out for? For context, I did my undergrad in political sciences, IR and policy.

How’s everyone navigating potential redundancies? I’m going through a second redundancy with an international org in two years. This lack of certainty and no job security is frustrating. Doesn’t help with INGOs advertising for roles when you know they are also reducing staff, very scandalous.

Hi all,

After lurking this, and many other subs for quite some time, I'm finally biting the bullet and making this post.

In a week, I'm set to move from Canada to the UK to start an MPhil in Development Studies at Cambridge.

I'm funding it through a combination of my own savings, and help from my parents. I have very minimal debt from my undergraduate degree (less than $3k - it's interest free so I haven't paid it all off).

While I care deeply for this field, and to delve more into post-conflict capacity building, as well as development economics, I can't shake this feeling that's been sticking with me for the last few weeks that this degree may be a waste of money. While I do have an interest in global affairs, I would also like to have a stable income if I can help it. At the same time, going to Cambridge is a once in a lifetime opportunity, as well as the doors it can open. As well, I have previous experience in communications working in politics here in Canada.

It is worth following through - or am I making a mistake here and should consider taking a beat, and re-evaluating other options for post-graduate studies?

Hi all, I see lots of messages on here from folks looking to break into the field. Wanted to amplify a virtual career fair for members of the Society for International Development (US chapter). I have not attended one of their events personally but have heard good things about the Society from people in my network.

Here is a link to the registration page for anyone who's interested:

https://www.siduscareerfair.org/register.html

Membership rates depend on your career status (e.g., student, young professional, etc.)

https://sid-us.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=1

There may be ticket rates for the career fee beyond the membership fee; I'm not sure how this works. Still, potentially worth it for US-based job seekers looking to break into this competitive space.

Hope this helps.

I'm trying to pivot from a Freelance writer for software companies into international development. I would be so grateful if I could have your input on my profile and rough plan.

For context, here's a quick rundown of my story and where I'm at:

From a very young age, my dream was to live around the world while doing meaningful work and experiencing different cultures first-hand.

After graduating (with a degree in BCOM), I spent the first years of my professional life teaching English in different countries in Latin America and South East Asia.

After 3 years, I transitioned into digital marketing as I thought it'd give me the skills and income to work remotely and continuing travelling (I lost sight of the meaningful work part of things, but fret not, it comes back to bite me in the backside after a few more years).

I worked for a couple of different startups (all super early stage with less than 10 employees), before transitioning into freelance copywriting and content marketing for slightly more established software startups (20-50 employees).

I've spent the last few years working in the same capacity as a freelancer earning a somewhat steady, albeit variable income of between $2 - 5k USD/month. Since, I'm from India — I live and mostly travel in the 'developing world', so this money definitely goes a long way.

I embraced this by 'digital nomading' in different parts of South and South East Asia. And while I definitely enjoyed the perks of this lifestyle, I find very little meaning in my work and learned that chasing purely selfish goals doesn't satisfy me.

Now at 32, I'm considering correcting course and and pursuing a career in international development. I feel like this was the path I originally intended on going on, but got completely side-tracked by short-term goals. And before I knew it, lo and behold, it's been nearly a decade!

Now, I'm trying to work out a 3 to 5 year plan that helps me get closer to my dream.

I was thinking the best way to do this would be — To try and find a communications role at an NGO/development agency to gain practical skills while also studying more about the field and learning French on the side before applying for a Masters in Europe or USA in a couple of years.

What do you think? Please do feel free to share any tips, suggestions, or ideas if you have any!

If not, thank you for reading and wish you immense success on your own path :)

Hi,

I'm working on a project that requires a large amount of data to be collected, stored, analysed etc. We need information on 20,000 households in the first 6 months and 300,000 in the year following that.

Is there and M&E solution that does it all? I've spoken to a few providers and it seems as though everyone specialises in one specific thing. So far it seems as though for data collection (surveys etc.) LogAlto seems the best for my needs (offline surveys, GPS tracking on surveys), for the analyses and presentation side of things I was thinking Tableau (Power Bi doesn't work on Mac).

Do you guys have any knowledge of a system that can do all of these things so I don't have to train people on separate software? Or, do you have suggestions of programmes that are better than the two listed above?

Is anyone here using developmentaid.org and has a membership? I am contemplating getting one but it is quite expensive and I want to know whether it's worth it. I've been applying for various jobs on my own and I am getting nowhere, so I'm wondering whether it will be worth it to get their membership. and use the free CV tailoring and broadcasting they offer.

The price for the professional membership is 400 euros, but they gave me a discount link of 100 euros and this comes with a free CV tailoring and broadcasting. But is it worth it to spend 300 euros on that?

I recently did my panel interview for a job with the OECD. It went pretty well! (I know I was the last person interviewed of the final selection) They’ve said it’ll take 6 weeks to conclude the process, but that they’ll ask the selected candidate for references before checking them. From experience working with the UN they also say 4-6 weeks, but during that time they run reference checks, give an offer, and get the selected candidate fully hired before sending out the rejection letters.

My question is, if you were selected as the successful candidate for a job with the OECD, how long after the interview did they ask for your references?

Hi all! I work corporate right now for a private company. I really don’t like the work I do and I am not interested in it at all. I find myself just reading international news and politics and reading into humanitarian issues all day. I want to make the pivot to international development but I have a few questions.

Is international development consulting a thing? If so what do they primarily do? Can you make good money (110,000 a year for a mid level 3-5 years of exp role)? Do I need to get a masters in international development?

Please let me know, anything helps, thanks!!

35 y/o Canadian, teaching abroad, looking for a new career direction, curious about studying engineering. A question:

Where can I learn more about how engineers are involved in international development?

Hello, Im starting my MSc in International Development from a UK top 10 uni. As much as Im interested to do purposeful work, I recognise my financial obligations and want to make sure that I do everything within my power to land a job that also pays well.

I’ve been reading up old posts about expected pay scale, they’ve been helpful. I also request anyone already working in London to offer advice specific to pay scale. Which organisation, what kind of roles are known to offer better renumeration? Do you think looking outside of London will also help? Please help snd sorry if my post appears vague.

Edit: Anybody who took their development degree to the corporate world/CSR, please share your experience as well. My background is in business. I want to keep this as back up.

Hi everyone! The WBG YPP is currently accepting applications. This year, the selection process will be open until September 30. It's a great opportunity for professionals interested in International Development. Make sure to check the basics about the program here. To apply, access this page. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to help you.

Hello. I am planning to take MITx micromasters in data science. Do ID agencies recognize this kind of degree?

Hello , I live in Canada and got an undergrad in business and completed my master in ID in 2014 (i know it s been a very long time). Upon graduation and a the mandatory field intern (i was in Zambia for 3 months with HFH), I looked for a job in ID in Canada and abroad with no luck at all. Since I was on work permit and needed to feed myself, I ended taking an entry level corporate job. I never liked the job there and kept looking for ID jobs every now and then abroad and here. Living abroad is still longing me and pushed me to major in ID anyway. In the meantime, added more experience at my current workplace where we lend money to people to buy cars and things around that business. I was a credit analyst, then moved to corporate credit, got a supervisory role and now working on the more sales part. At 36 I want more than ever to work in ID (the older you get the more aware you become of challenges in the world). Moreover, life in Canada is well known to be you know... Would there be a starting point to my endeavour since applying online and talking to people did not work for me? I have dual citizenship now and might be useful ?

Thanks a lot !

Hi eveyone ! I am new here and came across this community after searching hours on end how to approach OECD video interview and timed written assessment. It is for a Trade Policy Analyst role - would be very helpful if I can get some tips / advice from anyone who’s been through the HireVue interview process and how I should approach prepping for this interview. Thank you all so so much :)

I have made it to the final panel interview for a job with the OECD. How can I best prepare for the interview, and, on average how many people make it to the final round?

https://preview.redd.it/yyryyu7m7ymd1.jpg?width=2481&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=63dc593c92b5e8eea7fc492b2b15a1355a3eaf34

https://preview.redd.it/4dl43i8m7ymd1.jpg?width=2481&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=61732dab7b59cf44a8f2527795ef789dd69290c3

As mentioned in my previous post, I am uploading my resume for additional feedback. For more information about me, please refer to the link below.
Finished my degree, not easy to find a position and I need advice.. :
Based on advice from other posts, I have condensed my resume to two pages and consolidated experience descriptions from multiple bullet points into a single paragraph.

I would greatly appreciate your feedback on the following questions:

1. After graduating from school, I pursued several online courses and earned a MicroMasters degree in International Law related to humanitarian and refugee issues through edX. Should I list this under the "Education" section or the "Certificates and Training" section?
2. The "Independent Projects" section currently occupies about 25% of the page. Should I consolidate these into one overarching project titled "International Futures"? If so, how should I handle the different dates? Additionally, I am in discussions with other organizations about a new workshop this fall, so feedback on this section would be helpful.
3. In the "Professional Experience" section, I combined several bullet points into a single paragraph. Should I keep it as one paragraph or break it into separate bullet points to provide more detail?
4. Regarding "Community Engagements," some of the scenario workshops I've participated in are directly related to my research focus on crisis analysis and peacebuilding. Should I consider omitting some of these engagements?
5. As you can see from my resume, I am not American. Will this impact my job search in the US or other countries? Additionally, do you think my resume is strong enough to attract the interest of employers or organizations?
6. What do you consider to be my weaknesses? What areas should I focus on or gain more experience in to improve my chances of securing a job?

Any questions or feedback on my resume are welcome. I look forward to your advice. Thank you very much for your time!

I was recently shortlisted for an internship interview with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) at their African regional office. The interview lasted about 30-40 minutes, and in my opinion it went pretty well. The panel had informed me that they would get back to me with a response once they conclude all interviews, which will would most likely be the end of the following week. However, it's been three weeks, and I haven't heard anything from them yet.

I’m wondering if this delay is normal in the hiring process for international organizations like GGGI, or if it's a sign that I might not have been selected. Should I consider following up, or is it better to move on at this point? I appreciate any advice or similar experiences anyone can share!

Hi all, I’ve struggled to decide between these two courses:

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/courses/global-affairs-msc

https://www.soas.ac.uk/study/find-course/msc-global-development

I found out I received a full scholarship to study in late August, so I wasn’t expecting to go until I found out I had funding.

The courses start in a few weeks, so I need to make a decision ASAP but I just can’t decide at all and I feel super anxious.😢 Thank you for any insight you can give!

I completed my Master’s degree in International Security a year ago, and I firmly believe that international development and humanitarian issues are closely intertwined with international security. My primary focus is on analyzing humanitarian crises and disasters and developing strategic scenarios for these situations. During my studies, I collaborated with fellow graduate and PhD students from various countries on several scenarios, such as peace-building in East Asia, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the Ethiopian famine crisis.

Currently, I am seeking entry-level positions in the international development or humanitarian sector, such as a consultant or risk analyst. In the meantime, I have initiated a personal project where I conduct workshops and seminars for (under/graduate) students and professionals in the humanitarian field. These workshops focus on designing humanitarian crisis scenarios and developing response and strategy plans.

My question is whether such a personal project and experience would be valuable for future job prospects. I am passionate about analyzing humanitarian crises, identifying their causes, and applying solutions in international development or humanitarian aid. I believe that these workshops and seminars could enhance my skills, although I am concerned that this experience might not be considered as professional experience.

I would appreciate any advice on this matter. Additionally, I plan to upload my resume (or CV, as it is referred to in my country) later this week and would be grateful for feedback on it as well. Thank you!

Hi all, I am a Canadian and I have been unemployed for 3+ years since finishing my BA in International Development. After one year of unemployment I went back for my MA in International Development Studies to improve my marketability. Sadly still nothing. I understand the job market is bad right now but I really want to start my Career.

I need advise on what organizations and/or companies to apply to that I have a good chance of landing a job with, or how to start freelance and consulting. I am open to opportunities globally.

Some useful information:

• I have a certificate in project management
• I have a Nigerian and Canadian passport
• I only speak English
• I have 2 years of research experience (paid and unpaid)
• I have 4+ year of comm, admin, and community engagement experience
• I did an abroad internship with a non-profit for 4 months