Development cooperation
From mediation in interreligious identity conflicts to nature conservation and environmental protection projects to psychological counseling for war victims: the activities of development cooperation are diverse.Engineers can build wells in underserved areas, geologists can map flood or earthquake zones, and social or economic scientists can coordinate all these tasks. Development cooperation is therefore less a profession in the traditional sense than a working context with its own specific characteristics, which is open to graduates from all disciplines.
Anyone who believes they can contribute their expertise abroad and establish contacts with local development actors generally has a good chance of finding or initiating a suitable project. The specific requirements depend on the subject area, the employer's objectives, and the needs within the country of assignment. The latter must be taken into account in particular, as successful development cooperation on an equal footing aims to improve the living conditions of local people in a consensual and sustainable manner (as opposed to proselytizing or interest-driven intervention). To this end, professionals are sought at the global level who can use their knowledge and expertise to make a decisive contribution to generating local added value without patronizing the local population. The focus is on communication, cooperation, and the exchange of experience and knowledge (see also: knowledge transfer) between the partner countries.Since political circumstances, economic conditions, and regional needs can change rapidly within the target country, and solutions are therefore increasingly sought on a case-by-case basis, development cooperation usually takes the form of temporary projects coordinated by associations, NGOs, international Organizations, church institutions, or other non-profit organizations. Accordingly, job titles within development cooperation often include project or program coordinator or manager. Anyone wishing to work in this field should therefore be prepared to work without a permanent position, for different clients, and, if necessary, in constantly changing target areas.
Project experience, regional knowledge, and language skills increase your chances of getting hired
The development measures can be coordinated both by headquarters and by the emergency services in the field, which is why job opportunities in Germany are also available, particularly in the area of development cooperation management. Whether in the donor countries or on site, in addition to the relevant specialist expertise, project management skills are usually required for a career in development cooperation. These include budget planning and responsibility, communication with project partners and the development of partnerships, documentation of the project progress, application and report writing, and public relations. At headquarters, for example, the financing of projects is monitored, communication with the respective field office is maintained, the organization's concerns are represented to other institutions, and accompanying research is conducted. In contrast to central project management in the donor countries, project management in the field is increasingly influenced by the specific events that occur during the implementation of measures, resulting in a higher proportion of practical and organizational tasks (e.g., conflict de-escalation, distribution of relief supplies, etc.). The work here can therefore differ greatly from pure administration in Germany.
Whether for a managerial or executive position in the field of development cooperation, cosmopolitanism, flexibility, decisiveness, independence, and a willingness to live in developing and emerging countries (and also crisis regions, possibly on a recurring basis) for an extended period of time are essential. Even for a position in Germany, you should be willing to travel abroad on business. For professional communication, knowledge of English and another foreign language (usually that of the target country) at a business level is almost always required, especially if you are working on site. In the field of management in particular, knowledge of global development cooperation and specific knowledge of certain regions as well as previous experience abroad, preferably in developing and emerging countries, are often required (even for positions in Germany). A driver's license is also often explicitly mentioned as a requirement, especially for positions abroad. Good preparation for those interested in this career includes a regional and content-related focus during their studies, experience abroad, and (volunteer) work with NGOs, associations, or international organizations.
