Comments on The Road to the Horizon: How to become an aidworker?

ps - I just read your previous post "Rumble: I Am ...

2010-08-20T11:23:45.585+01:00

ps - I just read your previous post "Rumble: I Am an Aid Worker. And a Woman. Help!" and can I just say, as a woman, thank you! If all men, Regardless of the field they work in, thought like you did, and wrote about the difficulties women face with such truth, gender equality would come on leaps and bounds.

Hi, Thanks for your post. Yes, of course I agree ...

2010-08-20T10:49:22.034+01:00

Hi,

Thanks for your post. Yes, of course I agree that it is not impossible, just much more difficult - as I wrote as the beginning of my post. Really, I suppose what I am commenting on would happen in all careers to some extent - so nothing new.

Clearly, the specific issues that come with development/aid work - which I am well aware of having worked in various countries worldwide - make it more difficult to take children to, and of course as a parent one naturally balks at
putting their children in dangerous situations! It has certainly made a difference to where I
would/will take my kids. Obviously, from an organisation's point of view they too have
responsibilities to both the work they need carrying out and responsibility to ensure people (e.g. children) are also not placed in compromising areas. I think this is a good thing.

I suppose I was just musing on the wider and entrenched difficulties that women in the workforce, in general, face - esp as mothers (for example, to be sure acadamia is one!)

Without question my children Are my passion, but what I was getting at was more the idea that as a parent one usually wants what is
best for them and to do whatever it takes to enrich their lives further - to that end I think it is good when children can see their mothers also being passionate about something and able to really contribute in the long-term.

The difficulties, and by that I mean the choices that are not really 'choices' at all, regarding a women's ability to work in certain careers as a mother are, I feel, more complex and difficult than what most men face. This is said with the knowledge of the many many women I have known and still know in both academia and dev/aid organisations worldwide.

Of course I am well aware of what the 'real world' consists of - one doesn't have children, work in overseas development and academia wihout a very good understanding of what it takes! But my comments above, and in my previous post, still hold true. Some NGOs might be more forward thinking, and, of course the UN has family stations etc - but families working in overseas development with both parents working, or perhaps work-sharing etc (rather than the man working and women staying at home etc) are still not the norm. I'm also talking about families, generally with 2-3 or more kids, and of course their ages make a difference. I know of a few who are abe to do it with one child, but 3+ young kids can be
more difficult logistically as I'm sure you will agree! Indeed as vasco-pyjama pointed out
development work is still very much peopled by singletons - this is a fact.

In any case, thanks for responding - and you have a very nice website!

@anonymous: Your comment is almost a testimonial ...

2010-08-19T22:46:38.012+01:00

@anonymous:

Your comment is almost a testimonial by itself. I wrote about "women in aidwork" before.

From the organisations' point of view, often there is positive discrimination to enhance the chance of women's employment in the aid world.

From a personal perspective: it is true that, even though women get a fair chance in employment, the practicalities often make it difficult. Most women indeed choose for the kids as a priority (most men let the women choose for the kids as priority too)... This limits the choices of duty stations (safety, schools,...) and tasks (amount of travel, pressure)... Even though that is the case in the 'normal' world too, in the aid world, the more so, as we often work in off-beat places, and change duty stations/duties often.

As such: yep, it is far more difficult for a woman in the aid world than for a man. But is it impossible to do this work, and to be a mother, and a wife? No, it is not. There are plenty of women who do this work and combine it with their families. Some of them are even single mums, and even travel with their kids.
As such, the aidworld I found to be more tolerant for the "human" factor.

So good news, and bad news: as in "the real world", is tougher to be a mum, wife and full time employee BUT it is doable and there is a greater understanding and tolerance for those challenges in the aidworld.

Hope this feedback helps,

P.

Hi Peter, Interesting post and very good advice. ...

2010-08-18T15:40:43.046+01:00

Hi Peter,

Interesting post and very good advice. I wonder though if it's worth telling people that it helps if you are male, or at least if you are not a mother. Vasco-Pyjama made a good point about this in an earlier post above. I know many people in working in both development and aid - but, apart from those working in universities, which do often have partners/kids, the vast majority are single and very few to none have kids (women especially). It's hard to stay in development as a woman, if you choose to become a mother. Perhaps not impossible, but certainly difficult. I have a PhD in development, as well as a Masters and BA from top 10 Universities. I have taught as a university lecturer, done field work, volunteer work (of course) and rapid response aid work. I love development, it is true what you write - that it is a passion. Having a love of development/aid is, I often feel, an extension of oneself - being immersed in the world, being a 'player' as it were in the decisions that take place all the time around us, being part Of life as it happens, rather than as an observer. But with young children (4) and as a woman you are quite limited in terms of the flexibility and commitment needed for development/aid work, especially given the amount of people vying for each and every position. You are unable to commit in the same way that a bachelor or, at least a man with a wife/kids willing to Not work or live at a home base can. I grew up overseas, have been to about 60 countries - (male) members of my family work for the UN and I have a lot of connections - but still as a mother - and with the manifold needs of children - you have to choose. I have had to take time out for the last 4 years which now leaves me, regardless of past experience and a PhD, behind others. Luckily my husband works in a similar field - Geomatics, strategy/performance at govt level, has done aid work, and is looking to move into UN (etc) work. But, at best that will mean me living somewhere as a mother first. Don't get me wrong, I Adore my kids, and love being a mother - but it is hard as a woman - who has the same passion for development/aid/the world as you do, going on your posts - to have to stand back and, essentially, give it up. The choice for a man doesn't seem as harsh - work but also be a dad. But for a woman to work in this field full-time, realistically, necessitates having to choose between two things that I think are impossible to choose. One's kids as the priority or one's passion. I chose my kids, but the passion for development, for being part of something in a very real way (not as a p-time player) burns inside me and sometimes I feel bereft as I find it impossible to be able to work in development, and be a good, present mother. Maybe that will change in the future. If you have any inspirational stories I'd be glad to hear of them.

Hi Peter Blessings to you from the Carolinas! Can...

2010-01-27T23:05:05.048+01:00

Hi Peter

Blessings to you from the Carolinas! Can you tell me what qualities, traits, and skills are imperative for a role as an aid worker for the ICRC in Harare Zimbabwe? What challenges are typical in the face of an aid worker?

Kindly,

Deepa

deepz99@hotmail.com

@Yvonne, Unless if I am mistaken, international p...

2009-10-26T13:14:23.002+01:00

@Yvonne,

Unless if I am mistaken, international position for US government organisations (as USAID) is for US nationals only. I *think* this is true for any governmental aid organisation.

As for NGOs, I am not sure for each country, but I assume legally they don't "have" to take their own nationals, but in general, I found they do give priority to their nationals...

As for large international organisations (MSF, IFRC, Goal, Save the Children): they often have an overall coordinating branch, which is easier to get into. They also have national branches, which again, often take people from their nationality.

But keep on applying, and follow up on the applications with email, phone calls...

P.

Dear Peter, first my compliments for your site and...

2009-10-26T13:00:42.576+01:00

Dear Peter, first my compliments for your site and all the aid work you did, very interesting to read. I found out that many vacancies in development work are from US and British NGO’s. Is it true that they prioritize US or UK citizens above applicants in other countries? I don’t get any reply on my applications, aside from confirmation (I am Dutch).
sincerely,

@C: Nope, age does not matter. I am not sure if t...

2009-10-15T07:28:44.212+01:00

@C:

Nope, age does not matter. I am not sure if the NGOs require a degree, but the UN does (varying from graduate to a Masters degree dependent on the agency).

I was 34 when I started in the humanitarian world, and I felt I was one of the younger ;-) After consulting, I landed my first job at 36.
There are people getting into the system which are much older. Often they first start a career in the commercial sector, grow tired of it, and then move to the nonprofit.

Hope this helps,

Peter

Hi Peter - A million thanks for this - seriously ...

2009-10-15T07:04:49.477+01:00

Hi Peter -

A million thanks for this - seriously grateful to people like you: helping those who want to help the world.

Previous posts answer most of my concerns but one: Does age matter? I have just come back from backpacking in SE Asia and like many people, inspired to give back and help. I don't have relevant volunteer experience, only have a college diploma, and have one year of work experience in my related field (marketing).

To be able to work for NGOs or IOs, I understand that I need a degree and I would like to start over and pursue a degree in international development studies or social sciences. So this means finishing studies and starting a jobsearch (entry level positions) in aid/development work around 30 years old. I realize it's never too late to start over and do what you love but realistically, do you think I could face issues when actually looking to start my career?

Thanks so much for your advise on this

C

@Jose Just sent you an answer via Email! P.

2009-09-29T11:26:55.001+01:00

@Jose

Just sent you an answer via Email!

P.

Hi Peter I got to read you useful post through a ...

2009-09-29T09:45:43.265+01:00

Hi Peter

I got to read you useful post through a link you posted in Aid Workers Network.

As most of the people that reaches wether AWN or your blog, i'm also gathering information about how to become an aid/developement full-time worker.

I have a BArch and some years of experience in private companies. Since i left my job in Norway 11 months ago, i have been travelling though Asia. I spent 7 months in Nepal involved in a long-term volunteering building an orphanage in a village 20 km of Kathmandu. As you mention in your post, that experience was quite disappointing since the ong was 100% focused in the collection of 'the volunteer fee' in order to fundarise the project and all the volunteers i met during my time were pretty much retarded...

After that, left 2 months to Thailand where, thanks to some info of people i met on the way, got to Mae Sot in the norhwest and could work very closely with the burmese refugees issues building playgrounds for the ilegal migrants schools, a really nice experience but once again,just volunteering at least this time with no volunteer fee whatsoever.

After that travelled Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos, where i find myself right now.

I've been visiting several of the websites you recommend in search of a job vacancy that suit me but all of them seem to be very undifined and none ask expressely for 'an architect'. The "architects without borders" websites don't offer real job vacancies either....

I'm also open to give up my job and start 'a new career' in a differen field.....but, in what?

Hope your vast experience can help in some orientation

Thanks for reading

My email: barastegui@yahoo.es

@SamWandering Sam, as you are about to enter uni...

2009-07-09T11:51:24.472+01:00

@SamWandering

Sam,
as you are about to enter university, my advise would be to choose a direction of study in which YOU are interested in, and NOT one that might lead you into the aid world.
Humanitarians come in all kinds of shapes and forms. All kinds of people with all kinds of backgrounds can be used in the aid world. From accountants to technicians to policy people to lawyers. Go with what you would like to do, and what you are good at. The rest will come.

Meanwhile, see if you can volunteer during your studies. Either as online volunteer, or as neighbourhood volunteer, etc..

Hope this helps,

Peter

I am about to enter University. I need advice, how...

2009-07-09T07:32:23.581+01:00

I am about to enter University. I need advice, how do I go about obtaining the degree I need to be the best aid worker I can be? What majors do I need to be looking at to work out in the field? I am not scared I can handle the frontlines, my question is though how can I set myself up to get there? What skills do I need to help those suffering? I know I am young but I see that as an asseset, I know what I am called to do with my life, I only need some direction in getting there. DO you have any advice you would be willing to offer me?

Excellent post, thanks for all the tips/links. -U...

2009-06-29T20:45:25.566+01:00

Excellent post, thanks for all the tips/links.

-Undergrad with hopes of getting into this field.

@anonymous:In the past 13 years I must have hired,...

2009-02-18T20:20:00.000+01:00

@anonymous:

In the past 13 years I must have hired, or been involved in hiring somewhere around 300-400 people. Of which probably 2/3 were at the level of international staff or international consultants...

Only a handful had a masters degree.

The prequalifications for international staff in the UN specify "a university degree". No matter which level that degree is.

So no, I don't agree with you that lack of a master's degree would reduce one's chances.

But I *do* strongly believe that it is very challenging "to get into the aid world". According to me, the reason is simple: there are thousands out there, knocking at the same door, competing for the same positions.

P.

I find some of the information on this site to be ...

2009-02-18T20:06:00.000+01:00

I find some of the information on this site to be a big joke. Even with a robust economy, networking, and volunteer exp., you are hard press to find an aid position WITHOUT a masters degree. Maybe it was different 20 years ago, but now I know people fluent in 3 languages, have volunteer experience, contacts,etc., but always get denied by aid agencies-especially international aid agencies. I've read "What color is your Parachute" and books like that and had success standing out the field, but as an aid worker its like playing pin the tail on the donkey...on a football field. Not a vent, just speaking recent experience.

dtc_1139@yahoo.com

@Wayne,Go the volunteering route, first. There are...

2009-02-07T11:30:00.000+01:00

@Wayne,

Go the volunteering route, first. There are plenty of opportunities both physical as well as virtual (via the web) where any kinds of skills can be put into good use.

That is where I would start...

The "Aid Resources" column in the side bar has many sites where you can start...

P.

Hi Peter,I am a 38 year old male with the need to ...

2009-02-07T10:34:00.000+01:00

Hi Peter,

I am a 38 year old male with the need to do something that brings meaning to my life. I have always believed and will for ever so that all of us need someone to help us out in a time of need.

If we can not or are ignorant of the fact that as humans our greatest strengths lie in the ability to help each other, who then can the people of our planet rely on?

I have a wide range of skills gathered over many years of working in all sorts of fields. I never studied one particular field of interest, but preferred to remain open to all sorts of challenges.

Is there an entity or platform on which folks like myself can get exposure or direction?

Thanks,
Wayne

@Anonymous:It depends agency per agency. There are...

2009-01-15T01:41:00.000+01:00

@Anonymous:

It depends agency per agency. There are normally no university degrees per se required for consultants.

As professional staff working for the UN, a university degree is required, but bachelor level (no masters needed. - I don't have a masters...).

And I agree: in these times of economic decline, the non-profit sector is getting squeezed. Job opportunities are there, but the market certainly became more competitive.

Don't give up, though!

Peter

@Luke: answering you via Email.Peter

2009-01-15T01:39:00.000+01:00

@Luke:

answering you via Email.

Peter

In my experience most of the jobs overseas call fo...

2009-01-14T23:11:00.000+01:00

In my experience most of the jobs overseas call for a Masters/grad degree of some sort. Its just a bit taxing to find a job in the nonprofit sector--I have friends who feel the same way. Some with Master degrees and years of experience.

Inspirational stuff Peter!I am at that same turnin...

2009-01-07T04:29:00.000+01:00

Inspirational stuff Peter!

I am at that same turning point you described in your car that evening.
I am not statisfied with my life and want only to be part of something great and important. Financial gain means nothing compared with the feeling one gets when they have the opportunity to change lives.
I am willing to go down any route to achieve this and any help would be greatly appreciated.

wilkotaz@yahoo.com

Keep up the good work mate.

Kieran, I will answering you via email.Peter

2008-12-30T19:45:00.000+01:00

Kieran,

I will answering you via email.

Peter

hello,This information has been truly inspiring, i...

2008-12-30T18:08:00.000+01:00

hello,

This information has been truly inspiring, i am myself in exactly the same frame of mind as you were that particular evening when you thought, enough is enough. my life has been dramatically shaken maybe i am at that turning point in my life but i cannot eat nor sleep with the thought that i am alone in wanting to truly do good for the earth and for the lives that need light. over the last 4 years through information from the internet i have since seen there is so much good at work that it fills my heart with hope and the possibility to be part of that brings joy to me that i cannot express with words. i am worried i do not know enough of the world to put myself somewhere where i can truly benefit, i dont want money from doing this or any gratification, just similar dedicate people, have you any advice on this?

the_tree_frog@hotmail.co.uk

all the best to you

in admiration

kieran

@Sundar:Replying to you via email.P.

2008-12-04T13:00:00.000+01:00

@Sundar:

Replying to you via email.

P.