How to get a job in an NGO?

There are tens of thousands of opportunities advertised in NGOs every year, but the first thing you need to do is decide exactly what it is you want to do.  What do you want to achieve? What drives you? What change do you want to see in the world? Take time to understand what motivates you and what will give you job satisfaction.

This will help you to significantly narrow down the type of work you want to do and what types of organizations you want to work for. Whether you want to work with refugees, animals, children, disabled people, victims of war, the elderly, or any other cause that you can think of, there will be an NGO providing solutions and opportunities.

Securing a job in an NGO is competitive and just like any other, it is your personal qualities, skills, knowledge, and experience that will determine whether you can get your foot on that first step of the ladder. Invest in yourself and develop skills that are valuable to the role you want to do and the organization you want to work for.

Look for jobs you might be interested in and note what skills or experience they are looking for. You can look at entry-level jobs to get an understanding of the basic requirements but look too at more senior positions to establish an appreciation of what experience and qualities you may need in the future.

For work in the field on in emergencies, there is really no substitute for getting out there in any way that they can. If you can get even basic support work experience in an NGO in a developing country your prospects for securing a job in similar work will be significantly increased. If you’re unable to travel and want to gain experience in your own country you should investigate if you can volunteer within an organization that supports projects in the developing world. You will still be able to learn a great amount and develop knowledge that will set you apart from your rivals. Read More