Discover 4 Awesome Ways To Negotiate Your Salary For NGO Jobs

By Kibet Tobias
Negotiating for salary has never been a walk in the park.
In fact, most job candidates dread this question hoping that the employer will just quote an agreeable figure.
This is especially true for those professionals transitioning from one profession to another, those who are starting their career and those who are getting promoted to an extremely senior position.
Mostly, nine times out of ten, when it comes to the salaries that NGO Jobs quote, most considerations put in place are their budget and staff that they already have in place.
So, for instance if this NGO is currently paying under market for those who are already employed there, you should also expect your salary offer to be the same unless you bring significant additional established value or expertise to the organization.
So how can you make a change to this old tradition?
1. Do your homework well
Arm yourself with proven facts and figures before that negotiating session bearing in mind that your employer, being in NGO or non-profit sector will want to cut down costs.
Take a good look at the organization. What’s the size of the budget? How much does the executive director make? And don’t limit yourself because such data is available widely on the internet.
Even if it’s in the public sector, make a wild guess and compare to get your own figure.
2. Put a price tag on your strengths
You want to argue yourself out from ‘what you can bring on the table’ point of view.
So, don’t shy away from blowing your own trumpet. It’s the only way to show the board that you are indeed useful and that you deserve more.
Try to calculate what you actually brought to your last job. How much money did you raise? How many people did you help if it’s in an NGO or community-based center?
What processes did you put into place? Having that information at your fingertips will show that you know your stuff and will help you negotiate from a position of strength.

Must Read >>> How To Get A Job With An NGO in Kenya

3. Find a niche to fill
NGO Jobs in Kenya and any other Kenyan employers are now getting less interested in your qualifications and more focused on what are you specifically going to do to help the organization carry out its mission.
If you can demonstrate that you bring something the NGO Company really needs, then that is the key.
Do a research prior and get to know what the organization is missing out, then demonstrate how you can deliver this to them. With your usefulness, of course if they are convinced, then your salary figure will be a done deal.
4. Identify the NGO Company’s future needs
If you are an established nonprofit employee who is seeking to negotiate higher salary then make sure that you familiarize yourself with the NGO’s charity’s strategic plan, if they have one and get access to it.
You will go into your review with an understanding of how your work is helping to achieve the goals laid out in the strategic plan
Nothing makes an employer happier than to meet with a job candidate who knows their company’s strategic plan and has their futures best interest at heart although deep down you understand the strategy.
SEE ALSO >>> 4 Common NGO Interview Questions And Answers In Kenya
With this in mind…
Remember that NGO jobs are a bit different from all other jobs in the Kenyan Job market.
If it’s a small non-profit start up, then be ready to have some real discussion on salary negotiation.
If it’s a developed NGO organization, your salary negotiation might be a bit easy.
Do you have any related query? Leave a comment below.