International aid/development worker: Job description

International aid/development workers focus on meeting the needs of people and communities in the developing world. International development seeks to work with developing countries to implement long-term and sustainable solutions to problems. Many work on development projects in fields such as education, sanitation, health, agriculture and urban/rural/small business development.

Work in this sector is diverse and encompasses governance, healthcare, education, gender equality, disaster preparedness, infrastructure, economics, livelihoods, human rights, forced migration, security, conflict and the environment.

Career areas include administration, research, fundraising, training, consultancy, advocacy, relief work and economist roles, as well as professional roles within health work, medicine, engineering and planning. There is currently a shortage of doctors and water engineers.

Humanitarian and disaster relief work may call for highly specific skills and experience and usually involves short-term assignments.

Experience Development  is a central portal which brings together comprehensive information on the many different aspects of international development.

Typical work activities

Job content varies according to seniority, organisation/project/employer and location of the role (UK or overseas), but may typically include:

• administering the day-to-day work of an office or team;
• managing, monitoring and evaluating projects;
• conducting needs assessments;
• organising fundraising;
• researching and writing project proposals and reports;
• strategic planning for long-term development and/or disaster management to reduce the need for crisis intervention;
• evaluating the response required in fast-moving emergency situations;
• managing budgets and allocating resources;
• drafting funding proposals to ensure the future of specific overseas programmes;
• recruiting, managing and training staff and volunteers;
• developing relationships with partner organisations in the field and encouraging capacity building;
• communicating effectively with relevant internal and external stakeholders including volunteers, clients, partners and donors;
• negotiating and liaising with public bodies and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs);
• implementing security procedures to ensure the safety of staff working in unstable areas, maintaining an overview of the security situation and making appropriate decisions;
• lobbying and advocacy to represent the needs of poor communities to sponsors, governments and the public.