Wanted to share this since it's a pretty specific window into what the USAID drawdown actually looked like on the ground.

Kevin was posted in Laos when USAID was dismantled. He describes getting 48 hours notice to leave post, which then shifted a couple times before landing on an open-ended "soon." Staff weren't allowed to communicate officially before departure, so there wasn't really a chance to say proper goodbyes to host government counterparts or local colleagues.

He also writes about fighting to keep one of USAID's disability support programs alive in Laos, a country that's still dealing with unexploded ordnance from bombing during the Vietnam War. The program didn't survive the review process that determined which projects "aligned" with the administration's priorities.

I'm a Canadian political science graduate, and I’m trying to figure out how to strategically approach a master’s degree and would really appreciate input from people currently working in international development/humanitarian work.

I’ve seen quite a few discussions recently about how the humanitarian/development sector is dying, and the smart idea that, given the current funding environment, is for early-career professionals to develop a specific technical niche rather than pursuing a broad “international development” degree.

My background is primarily in communications. I’ve worked in strategic communications, social media, digital campaigns, content creation, and advocacy, with some experience supporting NGOs through informational articles, briefs, donor stories, and communications strategies. I’ve also volunteered with human rights organizations and am particularly interested in eventually working for watchdog/advocacy organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group, etc.

This has made me wonder whether humanitarian communications / global communications is actually a viable niche to build a career around, particularly compared with pursuing a broader development degree.

For my master’s, I’m currently considering programs such as Sciences Po’s Master in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action, because I like that it provides exposure to both the qualitative and quantitative sides of humanitarian work. My quantitative background is fairly limited beyond basic R, and I don't come from a STEM background. However, I’m interested in learning more about areas like WASH, MEAL, and humanitarian programming even if I ultimately work on the communications/advocacy side.

Part of my hesitation is that I haven’t had much direct humanitarian programming experience. Most of my relevant experience has been communications-focused rather than implementing programs in the field. So I’m wondering whether it would be better to use a master’s to broaden my understanding of humanitarian/development work and keep my options open, or to deliberately pursue a program that positions me specifically for humanitarian communications/advocacy.

I’m also not particularly concerned about getting into the UN. I’d be very happy working for smaller NGOs, international advocacy organizations, watchdogs, research organizations, or similar institutions. My bigger concern is long-term employability and whether I’m specializing in an area that will actually have demand.

I’ve also spent a substantial amount of time networking and volunteering with organizations, and my impression so far is that not having a master’s is becoming one of the main barriers to accessing many of the positions I’m interested in. I’m therefore trying to make sure that, if I invest in a master’s, I’m using it strategically rather than simply getting a general development degree because it seems like the obvious route.

For those working in the sector:

• Is humanitarian/global communications a sensible specialization right now?
• Would you recommend specializing in communications while gaining enough humanitarian knowledge to understand programming, or trying to develop a more technical specialization?
• How valuable is it for a communications professional to understand areas like MEAL, WASH, protection, etc.?
• Would a broader Human Rights/Humanitarian Action degree be more useful than a communications-specific master’s for someone with my background?
• And realistically, how much does a master’s actually change your ability to break into the sector at this stage?

I’d especially appreciate perspectives from people who work in humanitarian communications, advocacy, human rights organizations, or smaller NGOs rather than exclusively UN/large INGO perspectives.

Thanks in advance!

I'm an international student currently doing a PhD in Computer Science. I have a Master's and several years of experience across IT, research, data and technology projects, including some international/remote work.

I've lived abroad for several years now, and I want to be somewhere with stronger career opportunities and a decent standard of living. I'm trying to build a career and eventually settle in a middle-class or more developed country.

My ideal work is in technology programmes, digital development, ICT4D and digital transformation. Basically, give me a real-world project, a system and a problem to solve, and I can work across the technical, research and programme side.

I've had some international opportunities before, so I know it's possible, but finding the right opportunities consistently has been frustrating.

For people who have successfully moved abroad for work, especially as international students or people from Africa:

1. Where did you actually find the opportunities?

2. Are there specific job boards, organisations, recruiters or networks that genuinely recruit internationally and are willing to sponsor/relocate people?

I'd particularly appreciate advice from people who started in a similar position and actually managed to build a career outside their home country.

I need to get this off my chest: Why do some organizations bother listing visa and work permit details in job ads if they clearly prefer local candidates? Has anyone else run into this?

Here’s what just happened: I interviewed with an OSCE mission in a Central Asian country. During the conversation, the hiring manager told me they really needed someone already on the ground – and even suggested I let him know once I arrived in the city (thousands of kilometers from where I am in Europe) so we could meet for coffee. This was before any written offer. Strange, considering the ad seemed open to international applicants – it even stated candidates would cover their own visa and work permit costs.

The role was part-time, and only in the interview did they disclose the very modest monthly stipend. Still, I made it clear I was genuinely interested for the experience. They actually recommended I find additional income to support myself there.

The timeline was tight – only two weeks between the application deadline and the proposed start date. After the interview, I heard nothing. I followed up a week later, and got a brief email saying I wasn't selected. This, despite the fact that the discussion had gone well, spoke the language of the project donor, was ready to relocate, and a director even said my profile was an ideal fit when I asked directly.

Just frustrating. Anyone else been through something similar?

I got in, I haven’t yet joined and now I’m shit scared. I’m paranoid everyday about making the worst financial mistake of my life. My parents are willing to pay for my tuition. They’re pretty well off but this is going to be my second masters.

I did my first master is social work but after doing an internship with a marine conservation NGO. I was dead set on moving to the environmental field. I don’t know how the job market is going to look but I really hope to work as a programme manager or an ESG analyst. I’m 23 F and shit scared. I was also thinking of the academia route.

Idk I just feel so worried. I’m not able to be happy about getting into LSE or anything just because I fear I already failed at life by making a bad choice. I wanted to choose sustainable development but I couldn’t because I didn’t have a background in science.

Any words of encouragement or anything would make me feel better. I’m going to be looking for entry level jobs after I graduate since I have no real working experience.

I know development as a field is dead but how is environment looking?

Thanks in advance :)

I'm starting a MDB internship soon and would like a realistic picture from people who've done one.

Did it lead to anything concrete? A consultancy, YPP, a referral? Either within the same organisation or elsewhere? And how much did the role you landed afterwards resemble the work you did as an intern?

I'm an unemployed graduate with a master's degree headed to the New York Climate Week in hopes of networking my way into a job. I am a generalist (I know, this is bad...) with a patchy CV. What are your best tips to network my way into a job? How do I approach conversations without sounding desperate? Give me your best tips.

UNICEF has laid out a proposed plan for its $218 million humanitarian grant from the U.S. State Department, shedding the first light on one of several so-called macro awards the Trump administration has given to large aid agencies this year.

In early internal documents shared with Devex, the United Nations agency splits its award into four separate pillars: rapid response to natural disasters, complex emergency response, rapid response within complex emergencies, and integrated nutrition response for women and children.

The entire article is free to read if you register on DevEx.

Hello group!

I am an international candidate(neither Argentinian nor Brazilian) looking for job opportunities at humanitarian/development NGOs in Argentina and Brazil.

I speak both Spanish and Portuguese quite fluently, but do not currently hold the right to work in these countries.

I would like to know if anyone could share insights on how to secure jobs in this field in these two countries as a foreignor or if there is any chance of getting one in one of these two countries as a foreignor (if any INGOs are hiring people to send them there)

These are my favorite countries so before it's two late I just wanted to see if I can continue my career as a humanitarian and get to live in my favorite country at the same time.

Any recommendations or thoughts?

Obviously an old topic but I think I finally admit defeat in trying to stay in a career in international development in the UK. Any advise for making the pivot towards the private sector but also not selling my soul ? Have masters, 2 years experience in research and 4 years in grants.

Hello everyone,

I've recently graduated from my Master's in the Netherlands and can't even seem to find an internship, particularly (but not only) in the fields of policy, international relations, and international development — mostly the latter, as you can see from my CV here (link), since it was also the topic of my Master's thesis.

I genuinely don't know where I'm going wrong, and the whole situation is becoming quite depressing. In my opinion, the job market nowadays feels almost out of control. Even when applying for internships at regular companies, sometimes it feels like you're applying to become CEO of Apple: first interview, second interview, reasoning test, written test, and so on. On top of that, employers often seem to ask for previous relevant experience even for internships, which feels like a paradox. How am I supposed to start if I can never get the opportunity to start? It becomes a vicious cycle, and I've reviewed my CV and cover letters countless times.

I'm currently based in Rome, Italy, and would be available to work even for free in the city. If I needed to relocate abroad, I'm completely open to going anywhere, including very remote locations in Africa or Asia: in that case, I would be willing to work for an organization even with just a modest reimbursement to cover basic expenses (at least rent), rather than a proper stipend. Yet every time I either receive no update at all or get a rejection.

As you can see from my CV, I've invested a lot in my education and extracurricular activities because, well, when you're younger you tend to be a bit of a dreamer and believe that doing all the right things will eventually pay off. Unfortunately, I don't have a particularly large professional network. When I've asked some acquaintances about possible opportunities or referrals at their companies — always in a very polite, indirect, and sometimes humorous way — the answer is usually just: "Well, apply online!". I mean, I could figure out myself at this point.

The whole situation is starting to feel quite humiliating, and sometimes it genuinely makes me feel as though I've done everything wrong in my life. I know that breaking into the UN/international development sector is extremely competitive, but we are also talking about an internship, and at this point I really don't know what else I should be doing differently.

What should I do? Is there something wrong with my profile or the way I'm approaching applications? Any advice or candid feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

hey everyone! I am a graduate student (Erasmus Mundus) applying for the IFAD Internship programme, and I havn't really found anyone giving advice for this application online.

any past intern here able to give me some tips on how to make my profile stronger? I have a BA in Journalism, my master's is in Sustainable Development and I'm focusing on a communications role since it's what I can bring with more expertise.

I'm studying in Spain, btw.

This year I will finish a two-year course on Telecommunications that includes a 6-month internship at a local company. I'm simultaneously studying Software Engineering remotely. I will focus the degree on IT applied to organizations or businesses (My final project will probably be about ERPs). I can also minor in Economics or International Development (but I should probably minor in economics because all of you keep saying that studying International Development is useless now).

Then I will study a master's in Applied Data Analysis and Visualization.

That would take me 5 years (4 for the degree, 1 for the master's). But I could also do a master's in Policy Analysis and Governance or in International Development (I know it's useless) to specialize more.

Does it make sense? Is this profile good for a career in humanitarian projects?

Thanks for reading, and sorry if this is kinda stupid. Keep sharing your experiences, subs like this one are so inspiring.

​

Is there anyone here who did one master's and couldn't get the job they wanted, but then did a second master's and maxed out on internships and finally got the job they wanted? Desperately wondering if there are any success stories in this scenario. I am 36. The alternative is working an unskilled job. The masters would be free. The field is environmental policy.

A 17-year USAID Foreign Service Officer named Christina just published a personal account of her separation from the agency. She served in Jamaica, two tours in Afghanistan, Colombia, Kosovo, and Mali, doing democracy, human rights, and governance work: election security, justice sector reform, reintegration programs for former combatants, basic service delivery.

Her RIF notice came while she was in the middle of chemotherapy for skin cancer. She couldn't afford the treatment without insurance, so when she ran out of the cream she had, she stopped.

The piece isn't a legal filing or a policy argument. It's a first-person account of what she calls moral injury: losing not just income, but identity, security, and a sense of purpose that took decades to build. She also writes about being closeted for most of her career overseas, and what it cost her to keep that part of herself hidden while representing the U.S. abroad.

Full piece here: https://usaidemployeesupportfund.substack.com/p/i-dont-want-to-carry-it-alone-anymore

​

I am stuck in a deep depression. I did a whole master's degree in Natural Resources Management and Development in Germany, during the degree interviewed for two UN internship positions, was rejected from both. One of them told me they would have accepted me had I not stupidly asked if it could have been part time (I didn't know the internships had to be full time). I interviewed for a job at United Nations University and was rejected.

I am now 36 and jobless at my parent's house in the USA with no prospects after getting fired from a job in my old field that I was trying to escape.

I think about these mistakes every day. At this point I have fucked up the thing I waited for so many years to accomplish (was recovering from cancer for 5 years which put my career on hold), which was to do a master's degree and finally get out of a job I hated and was bad at (nonprofit communications) into something I could love (international development and environmental policy).

I fucked it all up and I feel sick every time I see any mention of the UN or meet people in the career I tried and failed at.

Does anyone have any words of advice for me? I am trying to find a therapist but I am so depressed, every day I wake up in a panic and at night I think about every mistake I ever made.

The USA announced its latest funding package last week, and the nearly $2 billion package is exclusively for U.S.-based Christian nonprofit organizations. The majority will go to faith-based hospitals and clinics, with the remainder set aside for humanitarian aid.

The State Department said the funding will be provided to an “extensive network” of international and local faith-based partners — including World Vision, Compassion International, and Samaritan’s Purse.

Dev Ex asks:

Isn’t the U.S. government supposed to be moving away from large INGOs and similar institutions? Is it really okay to say faith-based when we mean “Christian” — and can Christian organizations really provide effectively to those of other faiths, or none? And is it a good idea for the U.S. government to be asking others to cover its overheads?

The full article is available for paid subscribers at DevEv.

According to provisional figures by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development released earlier this year, the German government is now the world’s largest bilateral donor. Development Ex has taken a closer look at where the money is going.

Most awards, in comparative terms, were on the smaller side, with the largest awardees all in the multilateral sector, as is usually the case. The single biggest recipient was UNICEF, which received around €181.5 million, with a lot of that money going to support Ukraine.

Other large awards were mostly centered in locations that have attracted a lot of aid dollars, such as Syria and Yemen, but there was an interesting award to the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, based in Honduras, which received almost €70 million for a Green Recovery Program designed to support climate projects in the region.

The summary article requires you to login to your free account, or to create one, in order to read it. But the detailed article is for paid members only.

Has anyone here applied for the Junior Analyst (plural) position and eventually got a role? Would love to hear what your timeline looked like, and any advice on how to turn a group A database slot into an actual position.

My application wasn’t for a specific role, so I’m trying to figure out how best to be proactive now I’m on the group A list.

Earlier this year, I went through a terrible experience with a UN agency where, after my internship, I was offered a consultant contract and after waiting FIVE MONTHS for the process to complete (which was an internal recruitment), I was told in the end that the team’s admin staff would not process the hiring of a candidate with less than 2 years of experience and my team ran out of political capital to push back against this.

I was extremely depressed and in a moment of desperation, I accepted a role with a very small firm working on evaluation of international development projects. The role is a small Bid Writer role, whereas all my experience so far (internships at UN agencies) has been in climate finance and public finance (I also have a Masters in International Law).

Without naming the organisation, I will say that it is not a very good one. The firm is run by a single founder with work experience at Tier 1 NGOs and multilaterals, but nothing else about it is good. The way the team functions and the organization is structured is abysmal. There are no clear reporting lines, the founder is a despot who insists on reviewing everything being produced by junior staff, who are often forced to compromise on quality of work due to immense workloads and to write proposals to win projects which have nothing to do with the firm’s experience, relying on a consultant database which is fishy (consent rarely gets asked before including consultants in proposed team compositions). The founder is also highly unprofessional and regularly feels it is okay to discuss employees’ personal requests (for example, confidential conversations on salaries or conflicts) openly on team meetings (not mine, but I’ve seen it happen to other people) and the whole thing has left a really bad taste in my mouth. I don’t see any potential to grow or be recognised for my talents in this team because of how it is - and I’ve honestly been a highly driven and valued employee in every workplace I’ve been in.

So, I put in my papers and quit before my probation period ended, as I wanted to focus more on finding a real role in my area (climate finance) that I didn’t take out of desperation during a traumatic recruitment process with the UN. Quitting itself wasn’t a smooth process, as no one acknowledged my email for weeks and HR couldn’t answer my follow ups or requests as the founder was too busy to tell her how to respond. Basically, the entire firm is run by one person who refuses to delegate responsibility (despite having very capable managers) and is far too busy to invest the time needed to run an organization.

Today, she called me and offered me a counteroffer: a raise + to fly to Uganda and support her in setting up an ESG/climate finance vertical. I am not sure how she intends to do this, as the firm’s experience is solely in evaluating humanitarian projects.

On paper, this would be international experience to add to my CV in my preferred area. But after the experience I’ve had with this firm, I am highly skeptical and know it won’t be all rainbows and sunshine. My experience with the firm and the founder have been awful and I know this won’t be any better. Any thoughts on what I should do would be much appreciated.