Nonprofit organizations or NGOs play a significant role in addressing global issues such as poverty, education, gender inequality, health, and environmental conservation, while also providing employment opportunities across various sectors.
If you are interested in aligning your career with social impact, exploring job posting sites of NGOs can reveal positions in areas like program management, fundraising, and field operations. This article outlines 30 major NGOs along with details on their specific job posting sites to assist in your search.
NGOs and links to their job vacancies
1. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): https://careers.icrc.org/?locale=en_GB
2. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC): https://www.ifrc.org/jobs
3. IRC: https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home?c=rescue
4. Oxfam: https://jobs.oxfam.org.uk/
5. Save the Children International (SCI): https://www.savethechildren.org/us/about-us/careers
6. CARE: https://www.care-international.org/careers
7. Mercy Corps: https://www.mercycorps.org/careers
8. Plan International: https://jobs.plan-international.org/
9. BRAC: https://careers.brac.net/
10. Islamic Relief Worldwide: https://islamic-relief.org/current-opportunities/
11.Helen Keller International: https://helenkellerintl.org/careers/?_gl=1*1kjzndw*_gcl_au*NjExNTcwMzg3LjE2OTM2NzY4OTg.&_ga=2.29326648.585002704.1695375865-1420662109.1693676898
11. Action Against Hunger: https://www.actionagainsthunger.org/careers/
12. Acted: https://www.acted.org/en/get-involved/join-us/vacancies/
13. Heifer International: https://www.heifer.org/about-us/careers.html
14. Solidarités International: https://www.solidarites.org/en/since-1980/join-us/
15. Welthungerhilfe (WHH): https://www.welthungerhilfe.org/jobs
16. Danish Refugee Council / Dansk Flygtningehjælp: https://job.drc.ngo/jobs
17. Greenpeace: https://www.greenpeace.org/international/join/jobs/
18. WorldWideLife (WWF): https://www.worldwildlife.org/about/careers
19. IUCN: https://hrms.iucn.org/iresy/index.cfm?event=vac.showOpenList
20. EarthRights International: https://earthrights.org/careers/
21. Amnesty International: https://www.amnesty.org/en/careers/
22. Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/career-tender-opportunities
23. Human Rights Watch: https://careers.hrw.org/jobs/
24. Search for Common Ground: https://jobs.lever.co/sfcg
25. Ashoka: https://www.ashoka.org/en-sg/ashoka-career-opportunities/jobs
26. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF): https://www.msf.org/work-msf
27. PIH Health: https://www.pih.org/pages/employment
28. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance: https://www.gavi.org/our-alliance/work-us/vacancies
29. Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion: https://www.hi-us.org/en/work-with-us
30. Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc: https://careers-chai.icims.com/jobs/intro?mobile=true&width=393&height=787&bga=true&needsRedirect=false&jan1offset=60&jun1offset=120
31. FHI 360: https://www.fhi360.org/careers
32. Population Services International: https://www.psi.org/careers
However, before pursuing roles through these platforms, it’s important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages based on employee experiences shared in online reviews.
Benefits of of working with NGOs
Mission-driven tasks: Many workers highlight the sense of purpose derived from mission-driven tasks. For instance, one reviewer noted that working in the sector allows individuals to “work for a cause that you can truly believe in, while developing many different skill sets.”
Rapid skill growth: Employees often report rapid skill growth due to the need to handle multiple responsibilities in understaffed environments, with one person stating on career village that they were “given a great deal of responsibility for being relatively new,” which helped build a strong work ethic faster than peers in other fields.
Shared goals: Collaborative atmospheres are another frequent mention, as teams tend to be diverse and focused on shared goals, fostering relationships that extend beyond typical office interactions, according to a former worker with an NGO.
Competitive pay: In some cases, benefits like flexible dress codes and competitive pay at larger organizations add to the appeal, though these vary by entity.
Challenges of working with NGOs
Compensation: Challenges include financial constraints that affect compensation and stability. Reviews commonly point to lower salaries, especially early in one’s career, with a commenter explaining that “salaries are lower” even this may not be the case for those who work for NGOs in most African countries because of the differentials in the conversion rate. Even those that work with them in the U.S and Europe stated that pay can improve with seniority.
Limited resources: Burnout emerges as a recurring issue due to limited resources and high demands, as one employee described nonprofits as often “under resourced,” leading to exhaustion.
Contractual policy: Funding dependency on grants and donations creates uncertainty, with a worker noting that a “never-ending hamster wheel of trying to get funding,” which can result in job insecurity during tough periods.
Rigid structures: Rigid structures in some organizations hinder efficiency, as highlighted in discussions where nonprofits lag “behind the curve in terms of new technology and flexible working arrangements.”
Understanding these factors can help you make informed decisions when navigating career opportunities in not-for-profit sector.