The global development job market has been challenging in 2025, with factors like the USAID shutdown leading to layoffs and hiring freezes, creating one of the most competitive environments in recent memory. If you've been job hunting for months, the endless scrolling on LinkedIn might feel overwhelming. But a new year offers a fresh opportunity to reset and realign your priorities for a more effective search in 2026.
In this article, we share three expert-backed ideas to help you get your job search on the right track starting in January. Plus, discover top job opportunities from leading organizations in the sector.
Top Full-Time Staff Jobs This Week
- Marketing and Media Manager at International Law Institute (United States)
- Subnational Program Manager at Cowater International (Philippines)
- GEDSI Lead at DT Global (Papua New Guinea)
- Program Director, Workforce at FHI 360 (United States, remote)
- Technical Program Director at Pact (Dominican Republic)
- Enterprise Development Coordinator at Heifer International (Kenya)
For more opportunities, check out the full list on job boards.
Devex Talent Solutions, a boutique recruitment agency, is currently supporting CARE USA in recruiting a Senior Director for Humanitarian Advocacy. Applications are open until January 15, 2026, and successful candidates can be based in any country where CARE has an established office.
New Year, New Job Search
If you're feeling burned out as 2025 comes to a close, protecting your overall health and well-being during the 2026 job search is essential. Here are a few ways development job seekers can right the ship next year.
Aim for Quantity, Not Quality
Don't think in terms of "more hours" but rather "a better system," advises Kelsi Kriitmaa, a social impact career coach. Kriitmaa recommends setting clear, controllable daily metrics—such as submitting one targeted application or reaching out to five contacts per day—rather than chasing every new opportunity.
Rethink How You Network
Effective networking doesn't necessarily mean walking away from a conversation with a solid job lead, says Dan Perez of SRI Executive. The main thing you are trying to gain from a networking conversation is information. Much of the value that comes from networking takes time to emerge, which is why follow-up is critical.
Transition with Confidence
Kathryn Harper, who has supported numerous job seekers in refining their CVs, encourages framing career pivots as moments of adaptability and growth. Career pivots often require job seekers to explain gaps in their CVs or shifts within a sector, but Harper urges job seekers to clearly and concisely contextualize such issues.
Top Consulting and Short-Term Jobs
- Senior Hub Manager at Speak Up Africa (Kenya, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, remote)
- Medicines Access Consultant at Resolve to Save Lives (Nigeria, remote)
- Operations Advisor (Deputy Head of Office) at UNOPS (Finland)
- Associate Protection Officer at UN Refugee Agency (Rwanda)
- Team Leader and Principal Evaluator for Two MCC Evaluations at Socha LLC (Togo, Gambia, remote)
- Senior Program Coordinator, Malawi at CDC Foundation (Malawi)
For more opportunities, check out the weekly Devex Jobs Alert newsletter on LinkedIn and Devex's Job board.
Turning Crisis into Opportunity
After peace and security strategist Kevin Melton lost his position with USAID in early March, he quickly found a way to turn his two decades of lessons learned into something new. He launched Pax Strategies, a risk analysis consulting firm, with several other former USAID personnel.
What they've created is a network of experts on standby to provide strategic advisory services to governments, commodity companies, private-sector clients, and international organizations in peacebuilding, conflict management, and investment more broadly.
For anyone else considering the entrepreneurship route, Melton stressed the importance of having savings and a plan in place, and not underestimating the time and effort you'll have to spend on strategic communications.
Around the Watercooler
News and views from around global development worth knowing about:
- DFC reauthorization gains traction. After contentious debates, lawmakers have reached a compromise, and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation looks poised to receive an extension of its authority to operate and expand.
- Child deaths on the rise. An estimated 4.8 million children are expected to die before their 5th birthday this year—200,000 more than last year, according to the Gates Foundation's annual Goalkeepers Report. The increase comes amid steep cuts to global health funding.
- UNEP warns of environmental decline. A U.N. assessment says environmental decline is accelerating faster than expected, draining trillions from the global economy as governments drift further apart on how to respond.
Comments
Join Our Community
Sign up to share your thoughts, engage with others, and become part of our growing community.
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts and start the conversation!