As a young professional or student of International Relations, you might face indecision regarding your career. Read on to learn more about how to begin advancing in the NGO world.

1. NGO Job Opportunities for
Graduates of International
Relations
By Ilkmade Careers
As a young professional or student of International Relations, you might
face indecision regarding your career. Read on to learn more about how
to begin advancing in the NGO world.
Originally published on the Ilkmade Careers blog.
Check out the original article for more information about Jobs at European NGOs

2. Career Choices for IR degree holders
International Relations degree holders have plenty of career choices to make upon
graduation. Should they go into the public or private sector? Work domestically or
internationally? What if going further down the academic route is the best
alternative? Adding to the equation, they also face competition with newly minted
and established political scientists, economists and lawyers often vying for analyst
positions in similar policy fields.
Non-governmental organizations have always been a very attractive alternative to
think tanks, private sector and government work. Working in a nimble team and
focusing on a specific set of issues is also exciting work. A recent graduate of an
International Relations program will have studied many policy areas that match the
work of NGOs, such as health, gender, climate or Furthermore, graduates have
unique soft skills that usually fit within the NGO mindset, such as cultural
awareness, adaptability to changing environments, an understanding of the
interaction between different stakeholders.

3. NGO Job Search
We can start by answering some questions and use the resulting criteria to
narrow down the search for a position within the NGO realm. What type of
NGO jobs are available for at my level? What areas of work do these
organizations focus on? Where are these organizations located?
Normally a non-governmental organization will have three main capacities of
work across specific projects and general operations. These are then
specified into different roles that typify the jobs available at the organization:
• Research and design, implementation and monitoring of projects
• Planning, budgeting, and management operations
• Donor relations and communications

4. Cont.
Another criterion is the area of specialization. NGOs focus their work on very
diverse issue areas with great degrees of policy impact. Therefore, it is
relevant to reflect on which issues interest you most, for example nature
conservancy, human rights, or social welfare. A job search can begin with
either a specific policy interest in mind and then lead to the priority roles an
organization is seeking to fulfill or vice versa.
Unlike in many other careers, a International Relations professional can
secure a position in varied locations around the globe. While many
organizations that operate internationally are headquartered in the US or
Europe, there are many local NGOs in developing countries that aim to
recruit internationally for their projects. For any professional in International
Relations, international experience in any future job application is incredibly
desirable. The social impact of working for an NGO is also an excellent
resume boost and very rewarding.

5. Cont.
The job opportunities available to International Relations professionals in
NGOs are quite vast. It is therefore important to take the time to research
the different fields that pique your interest. As you perform your search,
check and make note of posted requirements so you can tailor your resume
to each position.
Rising professionals in International Relations should recognize how their
studies apply to an NGO’s objectives, be clear on their priorities, and have a
strong vision for how they will succeed within their chosen area and
organization.
Below are some resources to help and inspire professionals and students of
International Relations make the jump towards a challenging and fulfilling
career in non-governmental organizations.

6. Job Portals for IR Careers
• http://www.idealist.org
• https://www.bond.org.uk/jobs
• https://intjobs.com/
• https://www.charityjob.co.uk/
• http://www.devnetjobs.org
• https://ngojobboard.org/
• https://www.eurobrussels.com/
• http://www.unjobs.org

7. Non-governmental organizations
• World Wildlife Foundation – https://careers-wwfus.icims.com/
• PATH – https://path.silkroad.com/epostings/
• Girls Who Code – https://jobs.lever.co/girlswhocode
• Open Society Foundations – https://osfglobal.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/OSF
• C40 – https://www.c40.org/careers
• United Cities and Local Governments – https://www.uclg.org/es/jobs
• World Resources Institute – https://jobs.jobvite.com/wri/search
• US Chamber of Commerce – https://www.uschamber.com/
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace –
https://carnegieendowment.org/about/employment
• OXFAM – https://www.oxfam.org/en/jobs/affiliates
• CIVICUS – https://civicus.org/index.php/involved/work-with-us
• Americares – https://www.americares.org/en/take-action/jobs/

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Political Analysis and IR
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