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Roughly one year since Donald Trump retook the U.S. presidency and began dismantling the country's foreign aid apparatus, many questions remain about the future of development, in the U.S. and globally. But as job board analyses and reporting have made clear, one thing is certain: It's a good time to have business development skills.
In this edition of Career Hub, we're sharing insights from a recent digital event on what this looks like in practice within one NGO. Plus, the best new job opportunities from Devex's board, from leading organizations such as the U.N. Development Programme, the Global Green Growth Institute, and many others.
+ Join us on Feb. 4: Devex is hosting a digital event featuring expert guidance on strengthening your AI skills and positioning your profile competitively. Save your spot now. To gain access to this and all digital events, advice guides, and the job board, sign up for a Career Account with a free 15-day trial.
Top Full-Time Staff Jobs This Week
- Vice President of Strategic Communications Corus International United States
- Project Manager, Albania International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance Albania
- Field Programs Director — LAC Global Emergency Group United States
- Digital Advisor (Open-Source Spectrum Rights Registry) UNOPS Denmark
- Executive Director, Women's Refugee Commission Women's Refugee Commission United States
- Funding Manager, Directed Activities Wellcome United Kingdom (remote)
+ See the full list
Devex Talent Solutions, our boutique recruitment agency, is assisting the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in its search for a head of project economics, to be based in Beijing, China. Applications open until Feb. 9.
+ See more roles DTS is helping to fill.
Why Donor Engagement Skills Are in Demand
Last year's USAID funding cuts triggered widespread layoffs across U.S.-based international NGOs, including Save the Children US. The organization eliminated more than 300 roles in an initial wave tied largely to international programs, award management, and new business development, with further cuts following in the summer.
But not every function was hit equally. "The least impacted positions were our fundraising and marketing positions," said Douglas Mercer during a recent Devex event — and that's where regrowth is now happening.
As many NGOs shift toward a "private-first" model, donor engagement skills are becoming even more critical. This approach prioritizes individual giving, direct response, mass-market fundraising, and increasingly competitive corporate and foundation partnerships. That shift means teams are being rebuilt with a sharper focus on identifying, attracting, and retaining new audiences.
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The result? While programming and operations roles remain oversubscribed, Mercer said donor-facing positions are among the hardest to fill — making fundraising, marketing, and donor engagement some of the most in-demand skill sets in today's development job market.
Watch: How to navigate the global development job market in 2026 (Career)
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Top Consulting and Short-Term Jobs
- Individual Consultant: Finance Expert U.N. Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs United States
- AI Hub Campaign and Knowledge Analyst U.N. Development Programme Italy
- Program Manager, Sustainable Forest Finance Lead Global Green Growth Institute Luxembourg
- Grants Manager Danish Refugee Council Syria
- Development and Partnerships Prospect Research Associate Acumen United States
- Director: Department of Environment, Climate Change, One Health and Migration World Health Organization Switzerland
+ For more opportunities, check out the weekly Devex Jobs Alert newsletter on LinkedIn and Devex's Job board.
Recruiter Insights: Applying to the World Bank's New Internship Program
"We are not expecting perfection — we are expecting authenticity." — Nidhin Sathianarayana Unni, program lead, Pioneers internship program
The World Bank Group's new Pioneers internship program is positioning itself as a structured entry point for early-career talent seeking exposure to global development work across its institutions. During a recent Devex digital event, talent leaders from the bank offered insights and tips to help applicants stand out.
Research well and be selective. More than a hundred internship opportunities will be posted, but candidates should apply to no more than three, cautioned Rudy Perecin Mareño, the World Bank Group's global program lead for talent discovery. Also know that around half of the program's positions will be based at the headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Clarity over polish. Concise, authentic applications matter more than overly refined or AI-generated materials. "AI can give good recommendations … but don't be overreliant on it," Mareño said. All CVs should highlight relevant academic, internship, or volunteer experience, with a strong focus on cultural collaboration and practical skills.
Skills signal readiness. Technical competencies — from policy research and finance to data analysis, project management, and climate-related expertise — are a key differentiator, even when gained through coursework or projects, Mareño said.
Explore: What would-be interns need to know about the World Bank's new program (Career)
Around the Watercooler
News and views from around global development worth knowing about.
• The latest from a jittery Davos. With Trump in town and in an imperial mood, saying Davos is on edge is an understatement. Devex is on the ground to bring you the latest — and what it all means for development moving forward.
• Meet the former USAID workers running for office. For a small, yet growing, group of former development practitioners, the collapse of the system they once worked in has marked the beginning of a different story — not one of resignation, but of resolve.
• What's next for America's largest food aid program? A temporary agreement moves Food for Peace to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, raising questions about whether the shift will alter the program's core mission and whether the agency can manage its scale. [Devex Pro]
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