Looking for an NGO Job?
I am not the best person to advice you on how to nail an NGO or
UN job for the sole reason that I have never worked for one. However, I have
consulted for a few as a HR professional and this article explores the many reasons why many don't get these NGO jobs despite their
qualifications and experience.
As usual, our advice falls along the lines of 'what not to do.'
Specialization
NGO's are looking for
specialists in a particular field. Just because you have worked in the
corporate sector does not mean your skills will translate into the humanitarian
sector. You've run a software company? You've run a law office? You've worked
in a HR office? You've run a marketing firm? That's nice, but none of that
experience means you are automatically ready to work for an NGO.
To find a job with an NGO, you
also need to have the exact skills and experience being asked for in a job.
For instance, if the job posting says, "fluency in French", then the organisation wants applicants who can do the job interview entirely in French, not someone who has had a few years of French classes.
If it’s an accounting position and they are looking for a candidate with donor reporting skills, your CV better have this.
If the job posting says candidates who have set up HIV/AIDS education programs for teens, then you had better have your experience setting up such a program in your CV. If the program says you have to manage field staff, your CV needs to note when you have managed field staff.
If they job posting says, "A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, development, economics, program management or related area," they really mean that!
For instance, if the job posting says, "fluency in French", then the organisation wants applicants who can do the job interview entirely in French, not someone who has had a few years of French classes.
If it’s an accounting position and they are looking for a candidate with donor reporting skills, your CV better have this.
If the job posting says candidates who have set up HIV/AIDS education programs for teens, then you had better have your experience setting up such a program in your CV. If the program says you have to manage field staff, your CV needs to note when you have managed field staff.
If they job posting says, "A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, development, economics, program management or related area," they really mean that!
Many of us are vague when it
comes to relating how our experience fits into what an NGO job advert requires.
Unfortunately, until you do this, you'll continue sending applications without
a response. It’s not enough to have that degree or professional certifications.
Languages
Even if you are a native
English speaker, how good are your written and verbal skills? Not only does
your CV have to impeccable, with perfect spelling and English, your emails must
be as well.
As noted earlier, if a job posting says, "Fluency in French", then they want applicants who can do the job interview in French, not someone who has had a few years of French classes. If the job posting says, "ability to work in French" (or another language), you can expect at least a bit of your interview to be in that language.
As noted earlier, if a job posting says, "Fluency in French", then they want applicants who can do the job interview in French, not someone who has had a few years of French classes. If the job posting says, "ability to work in French" (or another language), you can expect at least a bit of your interview to be in that language.
Your CV
Your CV needs to be explicit
about your experience. Just because you worked at a refugee centre say Daadab
with many other nationalities, for instance, don't assume multicultural
experience is implied; spell it out! Just because you have worked as a
firefighter, don't assume emergency response experience is assumed; SAY IT.
If you want a
job that requires providing policy and technical guidance, spell out when you
have done this. If the job you want is to develop, coordinate, implement,
monitor and evaluate anything, show when you have done this, explicitly; NGO's
don't want to know you can do it, and they won't assume you can do it unless
they can see on your CV that you have done it.
As was stated earlier: if the job posting says candidates who have set up HIV/AIDS education programs for teens are what's wanted, then you had better have your experience setting up such a program in your CV. If the program says you have to manage a staff, your CV needs to note when you have managed a staff.
If the job posting says, "A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, development, economics, program management or related area," they really mean that!
Emphasize on what they asking for.
Networking
Many NGO jobs
in Kenya are never advertised. The jobs just float among the networks. And
there is where many of us in the corporate world accuse the NGO's of operating
like a members club where they only assist each other. The reality is that NGO
are always looking to cost cut and thus advertising or engaging in lengthy
recruitment is shunned. They prefer to headhunt or have their employees
recommend their friends.
And that's why if you need an NGO job your ears must be on the ground by associating yourself with those currently working in such environment. This is what is called networking ama kujuana.
A key to finding a job in ANY profession is networking: meeting people who can influence hiring decisions where you want to work, and will better ensure your candidacy is better ensured. You want these people to know you and what your areas of specialization are. However, note that there's absolutely no guarantee that meeting someone at an organization, even the CEO, will land you a job there.
Networking is a long-term strategy. It takes months, even years, not days or weeks. Networking also involves building your professional reputation, so that when connected people hear your name, they know who you are and that affirms your expertise.
Applying for
Jobs
The more NGO jobs you apply
for, the less time you have to spend on each application. The more jobs you
apply for, the weaker each application. Only apply for jobs where you have a
chance, where you meet at least most of the criteria for the job.
Some people try to imply in their applications that because they want to work for an NGO and because they care and have good hearts, they should be given a job. It really isn’t like that.
Some people try to imply in their applications that because they want to work for an NGO and because they care and have good hearts, they should be given a job. It really isn’t like that.
As one of the NGO managers said
to me, "If I had to choose between a person who cares passionately about
poverty etc but is not focused and doesn’t present well and a person who can
get a job done dispassionately, without being very concerned about the bigger
picture I would nearly always choose the latter." Work hard on selling
your skills and abilities, not your desire to help.
A well written professional CV is your ticket to a job you seek. We know exactly what employers are looking for and how to make your CV to prove your worth.
A well written professional CV is your ticket to a job you seek. We know exactly what employers are looking for and how to make your CV to prove your worth.
