What is a career in international development?
International development is a broad and impactful field that offers a wide range of career opportunities. You might find yourself shaping policy, managing donor relationships, coordinating humanitarian aid, supporting programme delivery, or even driving organisational change through HR and capacity-building initiatives. What connects all these roles is a shared commitment to promoting economic and human development – often in low-income and middle-income countries.
It’s a popular sector among LSE graduates, with alumni working across the globe in NGOs, international organisations, government departments, and consultancies.
Many professionals in this field pursue a master’s qualification and gain hands-on experience through volunteering, internships, or field placements.
As your career progresses, it’s common to specialise in a particular area – such as education, health, climate resilience, or monitoring and evaluation – developing deep expertise and influence.
Where can I work, what can I do, and how can I get there?
- International NGOs: These make up the largest sub-sector. Organisations range from large global NGOs with hundreds of staff – such as Save the Children, Oxfam, CARE International, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – to small, locally based organisations with a handful of employees. Roles span programme delivery, advocacy, fundraising, and operations. Visit our Careers in Charities, NGOs and social impact page to find out more.
- Development consultancies: These firms bid for work from government donor agencies such as FCDO and international organisations like the World Bank. Examples include specialist consultancies like Dalberg, IMC Worldwide, and Palladium, as well as large management consultancies such as PwC, EY, and McKinsey & Company.
- International organisations: These include multilateral bodies such as UNICEF, UNDP, UNHCR, and development banks like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank Group. Visit our Careers in International Organisations page to find out more.
- Development finance institutions: These organisations provide funding and investment to support development goals. Examples include: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD); International Finance Corporation (IFC); Islamic Development Bank (IDB); African Development Bank (AfDB); British International Investment (CDC Group); and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
- Foundations: Philanthropic organisations such as the Clinton Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Wellcome Trust fund and sometimes implement development programmes. Roles include grant management, strategy, and impact evaluation.
- Government aid agencies: Agencies such as USAID, FCDO, and GIZ focus on policy development and programme funding. Delivery is often outsourced to NGOs or consultancies.
- Social enterprises: These are typically small organisations run on private sector models but designed with a social purpose in mind. Examples include Bridges Fund Management, Social Finance UK, and Ashoka.
- Academia: Universities such as the University of Oxford – ODID, University of Cambridge – Centre of Development Studies, SOAS, and LSE offer roles in teaching, research, and policy engagement.
- Education and social impact organisations: These include NGOs and social enterprises working in education access, youth empowerment, and community development. Examples include Room to Read, Teach For All, British Council, and World Learning.
- Healthcare organisations: Global health is a major area within development. Organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Partners in Health, International Medical Corps, and Fistula Foundation offer roles in health systems strengthening, emergency response, and public health policy.
- Sustainability-focused organisations: Environmental sustainability is increasingly central to development work. Organisations like WWF, Rainforest Alliance, 350.org, and Future Earth work on climate resilience, conservation, and sustainable livelihoods.
- Charities: Charities such as World Vision, Concern Worldwide, Catholic Relief Services, and Doctors of the World operate globally in areas including humanitarian aid, education, health, and food security. Visit our Careers in Charities, NGOs and social impact page to find out more.
- Think tanks: Think tanks such as the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), Center for Global Development, and Brookings Institution focus on research and policy influence. Visit our Careers in Research page to find out more.
Common roles in the sector include:
- Programme Officer / Manager
- Policy Analyst
- Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist
- Humanitarian Affairs Officer
- Grants Manager
- Technical Advisor (eg, in health, education, gender)
- Advocacy and Campaigns Officer
- Internships and volunteering: Many start with internships at NGOs, UN bodies, or grassroots organisations. Platforms like ReliefWeb, Idealist, and UN Volunteers are great starting points.
- Graduate schemes and fellowships: Programmes like the UN Young Professionals Programme, Atlas Corps Fellowship, and Acumen Fellowship offer structured entry routes.
- Master’s degrees: A postgraduate qualification in international development, public policy, or global health is common and often expected.
- Field experience: Hands-on experience in programme delivery or humanitarian response is highly valued.
- Networking: Where possible, connect with people in the field to learn more about roles. Often, roles are not advertised so having a strong community around you can be key.
When should I apply for roles in this sector?
Here is an indicative timeline for international development applications:
- Autumn (September to November): Applications open for graduate schemes, fellowships, and UN programmes.
- Winter (December to February): Many internships and volunteering roles are advertised; good time to network and attend sector events.
- Spring (March to May): Recruitment for summer internships and short-term field placements.
- Summer (June to August): Fieldwork, volunteering, and research opportunities; time to build experience and reflect on career direction.
Insights from alumni and organisations
What skills are needed or sought after in this sector?
Core transferable skills
- Communication – Clear writing, public speaking, and cross-cultural communication
- Project management – Planning, budgeting, and delivering programmes on time
- Teamwork and collaboration – Working effectively in diverse, often remote teams
- Problem-solving – Adapting to complex, unpredictable environments
- Leadership and initiative – Taking ownership and driving change
Sector-specific skills
- Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) – Designing frameworks to assess impact
- Policy analysis – Understanding and influencing development policy
- Grant writing and fundraising – Securing funding and managing donor relations
- Humanitarian standards – Familiarity with Sphere, CHS, and safeguarding protocols
- Technical expertise – In areas like health, education, gender, climate, or livelihoods
Analytical and research skills
- Data analysis – Using tools like Excel, SPSS, or GIS for evidence-based decisions
- Qualitative research – Interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic methods
- Impact evaluation – Assessing programme effectiveness and outcomes
Digital and tech skills
- Digital literacy – Using online platforms for collaboration and communication
- Tech for development – Familiarity with mobile data collection, e-learning, or digital health tools
- GIS and mapping tools – For spatial analysis and planning
Interpersonal and values-based skills
- Empathy and cultural sensitivity – Understanding diverse perspectives and contexts
- Resilience and adaptability – Coping with challenging environments and setbacks
- Ethical awareness – Navigating power dynamics and development ethics
Language skills
- Multilingualism – French, Spanish, Arabic, and Portuguese are especially valued in field roles
Where can I find out more about working in this sector?
Interested in finding out more about a career in international development?
Here are some helpful links, including the ways LSE Careers can work with you on your journey.
LSE Careers resources:
External resources:
How to network with alumni in this sector:
Key voices on LinkedIn
Here are some key influencers worth following on LinkedIn for insights into jobs and career pivots in the social impact, human rights, and sustainability sectors:
- Jasmine Anouna: Founder of the Bloom newsletter and community, which provides social impact resources, jobs, interviews, and career inspiration.
- Beatrice Chioccioli: Curates a job board for human rights and social impact jobs.
- Work Ally and Gail Rego: Shares social impact jobs and provides career coaching for women and non-binary people of colour.
- Tania Racho: Focuses on human rights jobs and is a researcher in European law.
- Giulio Coppi: Specialising in humanitarian jobs and digital rights.
- Matilda Flemming: Publishes a newsletter on junior-ish policy jobs and has extensive experience in peacebuilding.
- Mark Horoszowski: CEO and co-founder of MovingWorlds, helping companies scale their social impact programs.
- Danielle Aberg: Head of Social Value at Thrive, sharing social sustainability and ESG job postings.
- Sarah Stone: Founder of Samtaler, a consultancy focused on social value insight.
- Guy Battle: CEO of Social Value Portal, specialising in the monitoring of social value and sustainability.
- Julian Chender: Founder of 11A Collaborative consultancy for impact.
- Jessica Marati Radparvar: Social impact resources and newsletter.
- Kelli Poole: Equity, hiring and inclusion coaching and opportunities.
- Kumi Naidoo: Human rights and climate activist.
- Jennifer Steinmann: Global sustainability leader at Deloitte.
- Rose Ronoh: Expert in trade policy and regional integration, providing insights into jobs across Africa.
Useful websites:
- CareerHub – jobs board targeting LSE students, including events and networking opportunities.
- LSE Volunteer Centre – volunteering opportunities in a wide variety of organisations.