4
2008
Humanitarian Jobs
An article by 
With the ever growing awareness of humanitarian issues around the world related to aid and community development, there is a corresponding desire growing amongst many people to get themselves directly involved in humanitarian work. Because of this, many people are specifically looking for humanitarian jobs.
Because the aid and development sector is so large and growing at an alarming rate with new organisations popping up all the time, many people have no idea where to start to get themselves involved, let alone get themselves a job in international development.
There are many options available involving different skill levels.
First and foremost, volunteers are always wanted. Most international development organisations have volunteer programmes that involve advocacy positions and sometimes, direct work amongst the peoples that such groups specifically work with. This is a valuable port of call for anyone seeking to engage in humanitarian jobs, but with no experience or specific education in this area. It can act as a testing ground for whether the desire to pick up a humanitarian job is simply an emotive, untested, romanticised ideal, or something more grounded. You never know though, even a romanticised ideal can be developed into something more cemented via volunteer work.
If you are looking to volunteer, decide first whether you want to engage in hands on work or act as an advocate for an organisation. If you decide for hands on work, you need to decide whether you want to offer your services to a local organisation (city missions, food banks etc) or be more global – there are organisations whose work abroad is completely based around what volunteers have to offer. Good examples are Unite for Sight and their Volunteer Abroad system, Cross Cultural Solutions and Global Volunteers.
If you wish to engage in a humanitarian job locally as an advocate for an organisation whose work is overseas, just get in touch with them and see if they offer any sort of advocacy programme where you can engage in helping to raise awareness of what they do and help to raise money for their work.
Paid humanitarian jobs can be found as well. Much humanitarian work abroad now involves skills and knowledge in the area of community development. There are specific courses that can be taken for this. Other areas that are often engaged by humanitarian organisations are management and marketing. Volunteer and advocacy bases need to be managed and promotion and awareness raising are key to the survival and growth of such organisations. Events management is an important role as well. Upskilling in these areas can be extremely valuable for those seeking humanitarian jobs.
For those seeking paid work in the humanitarian sector the best thing to do first is research. Research the organisations engaged in the work you are interested in a find one that aligns with your values. Find an organisation you can be passionate about and then contact them – find out if they have any work on offer and if not, ask them to keep you up to date on any positions that become available.
If you’re not fussy and simply want to find something, there are places on the internet you can look to find available humanitarian jobs around the world:
International Career and Employment Weekly – International Development and Assistance
Those are some good places to start. If you’re looking, never forget that Google and the telephone are your friend. Happy job hunting.
Note: This is not a site to advertise yourself if you are looking for work. Any such comments will be deleted. Due to the fact that we cannot examine companies that may choose to advertise here, we have also decided to delete such comments in order to protect our readers.
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About the Author: Frank Ritchie
Frank is the Education and Advocacy Manager for TEAR Fund NZ. Frank is a licensed Minister in the Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand and has a keen interest in biblical perspectives of Justice and how this connects to service to, with and for the poor, disadvantaged and marginalized people of the world.
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Very helpful. Thanks for this!
Its is very good to hear that there are organizations doing this kind of work in this every growing crisis world of ours. I would like to be of some kind of assistance. Let me know how?
im just an individual who has a soft spot for the community and poverty striken society as a whole.i would like to make a difference,if only i knew how.
I am a technician and would like to offer my hands-on experience,iam sure this will go along way to assist the unfortunate ones, only if i knew how?
i am a 20yr old girl currently doing a diploma with the univrsity of soth africa.i was doing voluntary work back home in zimbabwe and i would like to continue with something like that here in south africa…i just hope i can find somewhere where i can continue with volunteering!]
I really wish I knew what to do exactly, I’m a student and recently began to look within. I know I need to offer services to help my fellow brethren, especially those in drastic needs. I just don’t know how?
The best thing that one can do in life is to render his services to those in need.And i believe volunteer and humanitarian activities is the best place for any one to express his or herself as far as talents and skills are concern.For that reason my contribution is just my teaching and communication skills that i pocess as a full degree holder Bilingual Studies.i am ready to give all i have to help educate and teach in any part of the world..
Thanks
I want to pursue humanitarian education thn work for rest of my life towaards my society and to eradicate poverty.
Pls suggest some colleges where I can go for my masters in relvent courses.
We cannot avoid taking care for our brothers’ needs: for those who live in better spiritual and material conditions, it’s a personal responsibility to positevely impact our world with actions of hope, courage and faith. Be blessed!
im just an individual who has a soft spot for the community and poverty striken society as a whole.i would like to make a difference,if only i knew how.
OOps didnt mean to copy that last comment sorry people .
Butt I really wish i Did no how to make a diffrence in socity , A couple need to be made . When i get much older because i am only 16 i want to be somebody that can help everybody , i dont no what i could do for that though ? I wanna travel to places and help like in africa, that would be so cool ((:
I’m 56 years young, I want to give of myself working with poverty stricken children,women to give of self assisting in any way possible. I am bi-lingual (Spanish) I can cook, teach food preperation, feed large groups and do hands on work. Not afraid to work hard or long hours. How can I help? I want to do more than earn a salary, I want to touch someone’s soul and let them know people care and want to help.Sincerely Martha
I would like to know how to apply for a volunteer job for refugees, kids, hiv , I am trying for so long time and I did not get any answer.
Thank you in advance.
Please contact me by my email I need more info how I can
contact some organization for the program.
I served l5 years at United Nations and American Government in Africa and Europe different culture and
Language.
Sincerely,yours,
Emmerence Kankindi
May i just inquire if there are humanitarian jobs still available.I am very much willing to work. My experience in the area of community development and services will surely warrant for an effective performances.Please contact me by my email given.
Thank You!!!!
People looking for jobs in the humanitarian aid agencies might find the following speacilist job site helpful.
http://www.devJOB4u.net – specialist in humanitarian aid, NGOs, UN and international development jobs globally.
http://www.charityJOB4u.co.uk – speacilist in UK charity jobs.
In both sites, job posting by any humanitarian aid, NGOs, charities and development organisation is FREE and posting could done directly.
Good luck.
I am a Kenyan adult male aged 45 years with vast experience working with communities in issues of civic eduaction on human rights,gender,democracy,constitution,electoral process and wide experience engaging with diverse cultures and averagely traveled internationally.I want to work in reform processes and development any where as a way to share experiences,skills and also learning in the effort of realising globalisation endeavors.I am a believer of hands on field work with a lot of tolerance and flexibility in accomodating others through team work.Any organization can contact me.
Im a Tanzanian lady aged 30 years.I am a student from Sokoine university of Agriculture pursuing masters in Rural Development and I have completed my course work.
I would like to work in development issues any where as a way to share myskills and get more knowledge and job experience, also learning in the effort of realising globalisation endeavors.I am a believer of hands on field work with a lot of tolerance and flexibility in accomodating others through team work.Any organization can contact me.
[...] careers generally fall into two different categories: humanitarian jobs and development [...]
i would like to know how we could through your publiction promote our volunteer services program in Mozambique this summer.
Thanks for your earliest reply,
John Vack
Care for Life
I’m a business owner of a equipment rental company, and I have many skills. I’m 48 years old and single, if there is anything that I can do to be of any help to others that need me, please contact me. I have a Pass Port, and have traveled to many other countries.
Hello Martin,
My name is Dr. Bass. I’m replying to your request for volunteering abroad.I’m running a non profit organization with help of friends and family. Your help will be appreciate if you can go with me in Haiti from September 29- October 11. I have a world day of service on saturday october first. I promoted literacy in Haiti and I’m helping a school with 386 children to have a vision of life the chance to learn. The school needs to be painted, decorated and a lot more to do. Normally I travel to Haiti with students but at the time a lot of them will be in school i will be on my own, therefore your help will be appreciate it. let me know . I can be reach at abassconsultant@gmail.com. Thanks
My name is Freddy Sanga, I’m the lawyer, Tanzanian citizen working as legal officer to the private law firm based at Dar es Salaam and Dodoma. I’m interested to work on humanian organization.
being victim of instabilities has given more reason to think about helping those who are
in terrible situations. i have done two years at university in the faculty of law.
and travelling alot has gained me the ability to speak read writte english french portuguese and swahili. i do not panic and have soft mind in case that there is a danger. i can help in any continent ,any country. anybody want my hand in distibutting aid, interpritting for people in any of languages i cited, or rescuing people can contact me : pmstones2002@yahoo.fr , or can call me at 0027785054001