NGO Careers: How To Get A Job With An NGO

By Susan Gitonga

Most Kenyan job seekers are fascinated by the idea that working with an NGO is the most ideal career decision they can ever make.

But is it true? Is working for an NGO as amazing as it is made out to be? Well the truth is that NGO work does pay well and if you are lucky to get into a very well established NGO, you will get to enjoy numerous benefits among them travel, something that companies in other industries do not offer.

I received a question from a job seeker this week asking me to guide him on how to get a job in the NGO world. Quite frankly, the process of getting a job with an NGO is just like any other. There’s not much of a difference except the NGO framework.

Let’s take a look at how to get a job with an NGO in Kenya

1.Do your research.

Who is hiring?

Find out who is hiring. If you are serious about finding a job with an NGO, you should have a list of all the NGO’s you can think of. Keep checking their website and job sites to see if they are hiring.

Who are they hiring?

For example, you might end up finding out that the Norwegian Refugee Council is hiring. The next step is to take note of who exactly they are looking for.

Are they looking for a Project Officer?, Or maybe a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer? Depending on which position you are looking to fill, you need to carefully go through the job description provided. Be on the look out to find out, what does the role entail? What skills and qualifications are required for the job?

And most importantly, do you have the right qualifications for the job you are interested in?

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2. Volunteer

If you are starting out as fresh out of college/campus, volunteering is the easiest way of getting a job with an NGO.

NGOs are always looking for volunteers eager to learn and who are committed to their work. Many NGO professionals have gotten their first experience and taste for working within an NGO by volunteering.

Most organizations will be able to offer you a choice of different roles and opportunities meaning it is important that you select the opportunity that is going to benefit you the most and is closely related to your future career.

3. Demonstrate Adaptability

For this type of career, or anywhere you are working with different groups of people, it is vital that professionals are able to demonstrate that they are adaptable, able to manage difficult situations and capable of effective conflict resolution. According to fundsforngos.org, NGO professionals in the field need to be sensitive and able to adapt to different cultural demands and expectations that demand changes in their behaviour.

Do you have to speak another language?

Being able to speak a second language is not always critical depending on your role and organization. For example, if you plan on working in accounting within a domestic NGO it may not be especially beneficial at all.

Overall, working for an NGO is a great experience and getting a job in the industry is not very difficult.

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Susan is a Communications Officer at Career Point Kenya. Email: susan@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke