4 tips to make the leap from local employment to an international career

By Kate Warren for devex .com

“Localization” is a popular buzzword in the development community, so how can you make a successful jump from local employment to an international career? 

The increased emphasis on hiring local professionals is impacting development career opportunities around the world. We will be discussing this trend and how it impacts career prospects for both local and international professionals next week at the Devex Career Forum in Manila.

In many countries, like the Philippines, there are thousands of educated, experienced local national development professionals taking the lead on tackling development challenges in their own communities. While these aid workers should continue to see increased opportunities in their home countries, what if they want to apply their experience in other countries around the world?

Getting that first overseas job is challenging for anyone who wants to work in international development. And while the push to hire local staff is creating more opportunities for professionals in-country, it’s also making it more difficult for them to find work in countries outside of their own.

Here are four tips for local development professionals to take their careers international.

1. Start at the regional level

One of the reasons organizations often prefer hiring someone local is that they will already know the language, culture, political environment and systems that will impact the work. However, when recruiters can’t find that expertise in-country, they will often look to neighboring countries.

Start by applying to jobs in your region, where you might share a language, similar culture or political history.

You could also try to find positions in a regionally focused program based in your home country. For example, a project organizing efforts across East Africa and based in your hometown of Nairobi may offer opportunities to travel and work in Ethiopia, Tanzania or Uganda.

2. Go to the hot spots

If you are willing to work in a fragile state, look for opportunities in places like South Sudan, Papua New Guinea or Afghanistan.

These countries receive a large portion of foreign aid funding, meaning a lot of jobs are available, yet organizations struggle to recruit professionals to work in these areas.

In a conflict or post-conflict environment, many local professionals flee and international candidates are less interested in posts where they cannot bring their family or may face additional risks.

When organizations struggle to find qualified candidates, they will often overlook requirements like experience working outside of your own country. With less competition, you might be able to find the break you need to get that coveted international experience you can then use to find work in more secure posts later.

3. Try to relocate with your current employer

If you work for a larger international nongovernmental organization or consulting firm, chances are they have projects going on all around the world. Prove yourself as a capable, hard working professional who gets results and they may be open to providing opportunities for you to work elsewhere.

Talk to your current employer about your desire to work overseas. Give them examples of where you would like to work and explain why you would bring value to the role. This is best done toward the close of a project or large initiative so it won’t appear like you are shirking your current responsibilities.

4. Apply for international vacancies with international organizations

Large multilateral organizations like the many U.N. agencies or development banks hire both local and international positions. While they are not easy to land, an international position will give you the opportunity to work in many places around the world throughout your career.

Last fall, Devex conducted a survey of our members to understand their perceptions of and interest in working with these large international organizations. A surprising revelation was that while most professionals thought of these agencies as a desirable place to work, 20 percent had never applied.

Many professionals felt that these institutions favor Western candidates and that they were not wanted. However, many of these groups are in fact actively seeking more qualified candidates from what they refer to as program countries. If you haven’t considered — or applied — for one of these positions despite meeting the qualifications, give it a try.

https://www.devex.com/news/4-tips-to-make-the-leap-from-local-employment-to-an-international-career-83618