Sign up to Devex Career Hub today
In today's competitive global development sector, hiring cycles are notoriously long, making job hunting feel endless. The solution isn't working more hours but implementing a better system, according to social impact career coach Kelsi Kriitmaa.
Getting Your Time Back
"Sometimes we think being busy is being productive. But what we actually want is quality over quantity."
— Kelsi Kriitmaa, social impact career coach
Job searching can feel like a full-time job, but managing your energy matters more than managing your hours. Kriitmaa shares science-backed strategies to help development professionals stay focused and sustain motivation.
Prioritize with Intention
Define daily "nonnegotiables" — small, consistent actions that move your search forward. "Your nonnegotiables might be something like, 'I want to apply for two jobs and send five connection requests on LinkedIn,'" Kriitmaa explained.
Work With Your Energy, Not Against It
Use your peak focus hours for high-impact tasks, and start each day with a short "morning reset" to set priorities. "Science tells us that a morning routine boosts clarity, motivation, and decision-making," she emphasized.
Rest Strategically
Regular check-ins and intentional downtime prevent burnout and keep you energized for the long haul. "The more we review our goals, the more likely we are to attain them," Kriitmaa noted.
Off-the-Radar Opportunities
Discover development organizations doing significant work that may not always make headlines but merit close attention from aspiring professionals.
Cowater International — This Canadian development consulting firm combines evidence-based innovation with local partnerships and is currently seeking a monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) and capacity-building specialist based in Indonesia.
AGRA — Working to reshape African farming into resilient and profitable enterprises, AGRA is hiring a consultant to design innovative business models for rural solar-powered irrigation systems in Nigeria.
Heifer International — This global NGO empowering farmers across 19 countries is seeking a senior vice president to lead their Africa regional program strategy.
Top Job Opportunities This Week
Full-Time Staff Positions
- Senior Technical Advisor – MNCH (ACHIEVE) at Pact (United States)
- Project Leader – PADCA-6P Project at International Fertilizer Development Center (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Head, Investments at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Switzerland)
- Senior Executive for the Sectoral Analysis at Corporación Andina de Fomento (Chile)
- Business Development Manager (Hybrid) at UK Research and Innovation (United Kingdom, remote)
- Associate Director, Strategy and Learning at ClimateWorks Foundation (United States, Remote)
Consulting and Short-Term Roles
- Program Manager / SBAE Advisor at AgriCorps (Liberia)
- Senior Research Scientist, Disease Modeling at Gates Foundation (United States)
- Consulting Services for Monitoring Activities at KfW (Germany, remote)
- Energy and Climate Individual Consultant at Global Green Growth Institute (Mexico)
- Data Engineer at World Intellectual Property Organization (Switzerland)
- Protection Specialist at Danish Refugee Council (Ethiopia)
Global Development News Highlights
- AI and Development Workforce: Current AI systems still struggle with complex reasoning needed for real-world development decision-making
- Global Health Strategy Updates: New America First Global Health Strategy raises concerns in the global AIDS community
- Humanitarian Crisis: Sudan's expulsion of top WFP officials jeopardizes food assistance to millions facing extreme hunger
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!