Careers in International Affairs, Eighth Edition

13 Nonprofit and Educational Organizations - Careers in Nonprofits

13 Nonprofit and Educational Organizations Careers in Nonprofits Denis Dragovic Denis Dragovic is a 2000 graduate of the Masters of Science in Foreign Service Program at Georgetown University. He is currently serving as the country director for CHF International in Iraq, his third posting to that country. Since graduating from Georgetown University, he has worked with not-for-profit contractors, for-profit development companies , and humanitarian organizations in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT WORLD has undergone a transformation over the past decade and in particular over the last few years. The sector has seen a tremendous growth spurt, combined with a much-needed infusion of professionalism, while at the same time being confronted by a number of ethical challenges that will forge the face of the industry in the coming decades. Entering the field now, upon graduation, is a far more daunting challenge then five or fifteen years ago. Employers’ expectations and competition from other applicants are far more rigorous. Whereas a bachelor’s degree was all that was required ‘‘back in the day,’’ now a master’s degree from a well-known university along with some field experience is considered bare minimum. As more money continues to pour toward humanitarian and development aid efforts, the organizations implementing these projects have grown into big businesses; some, such as the United States–based World 338 Careers in Nonprofits • 339 Vision, see their annual revenue exceed $1 billion. Hand in hand with such growth comes the need to develop institutional structures and systems that rival those of similar-sized corporations, particularly the need to recruit more qualified professionals and fewer well-intentioned idealists . Not only have existing organizations grown and turned professional but many new entities also have emerged as players. These new not-forpro fits, although competing for the same nongovernmental organization (NGO) pool of funds, are adopting more aggressive ‘‘corporate’’ tactics in an effort to win projects. The result is a divided industry with many different and sometimes hidden facets that are often hard for an outsider to negotiate. This essay attempts to decode the industry for newcomers. It is written to help the reader make well-informed decisions before deciding to apply for jobs in the not-for-profit field. Entering the field now, upon graduation, is a far more daunting challenge then five or fifteen years ago. Employers’ expectations and competition from other applicants are far more rigorous. In general there are five distinctly different groupings of NGOs: 1. humanitarian organizations (e.g., International Committee of the Red Cross, CARE, IRC, Save the Children, MSF), 2. development NGO (e.g., Malaria Consortium, Planned Parenthood), 3. not-for-profit contractors (e.g., International Relief and Development , Research Triangle Institute), 4. advocacy organizations (e.g., Human Rights Watch, Freedom House, Amnesty International), and 5. donor organizations (e.g., Ford Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation). The character, salary, institutional structure, career prospects, and type of work are very different from one to the other. Knowing what you are after will help you choose the category for which you are best suited. Humanitarian Organizations The humanitarian organization is often the face of the not-for-profit world. We are all familiar with household names such as CARE, Oxfam, 340 • Nonprofit and Educational Organizations and World Vision. These organizations are often embedded in our own communities; they raise money through public campaigns, hold advocacy positions, and send young people out to high-profile humanitarian crises to ‘‘do good.’’ They are truly international, with subsidiaries or member organizations established throughout—mainly—the Western world. Over the years, the level of professionalism has increased, resulting in higher employer expectations as well as higher salaries. Of the humanitarian organizations, there are two types: those that value the concept of volunteerism , and those that seek career professionals. Over the years, the level of professionalism has increased, resulting in higher employer expectations as well as higher salaries. The volunteer agencies, such as Médecins Sans Frontières and GOAL (an Irish NGO), take on large numbers of eager, young, well-qualified but inexperienced people to work in their far-flung operations. The pay is dismal, starting as low as several hundred dollars a month, though the spirit of camaraderie, the training opportunities, and the organizational support are great (food and shared accommodations are provided). These organizations are a...