International Development Officer
Works on programmes that improve lives across countries and communities.
Why it may fit you
- Included to widen the options you have seen
Your evidence for this career
Based only on the experiences and strengths you have entered. Add more in My Evidence.
Strong evidence
Nothing here yet — two experiences showing the same skill will move it here.
Some evidence
Nothing here yet.
Evidence to build
- Communication
- Listening
- Teamwork
- Supporting others
- Research
- Working with data
- Writing
- Analysis
- Organisation
- Project management
- Planning
What you may need to develop
Communication
Why it matters: Named in almost every job advert, and usually tested at interview.
Your current evidence: Limited evidence identified so far.
Ways to build this
- • Ask for written feedback after a presentation or piece of writing
- • Write a short summary of something technical for a general reader
Listening
Why it matters: Underrated, and central to advisory, care and client roles.
Your current evidence: Limited evidence identified so far.
Ways to build this
- • Volunteer in a support, buddy or peer-mentoring scheme
- • Interview someone about their career and write three notes from it
Teamwork
Why it matters: Employers want a specific example, not the word itself.
Your current evidence: Limited evidence identified so far.
Ways to build this
- • Write up one team experience: your role, a disagreement, what you did
- • Join a team activity outside your course
Supporting others
Why it matters: Central to health, education, care and community-facing work.
Your current evidence: Limited evidence identified so far.
Ways to build this
- • Volunteer with a community, church, charity or student support group
- • Support a peer formally through a scheme so it can be evidenced
What they do
Development roles design, fund, run and evaluate programmes in areas like education, health, water, climate resilience and livelihoods, usually with local partners.
What your day could involve
- Reviewing a partner's progress report
- Helping prepare a funding application
- Analysing programme data
- Coordinating a call across time zones
- Writing a case study for supporters
Skills employers often look for
People skills
- • Communication
- • Listening
- • Teamwork
- • Supporting others
Technical skills
- • Research
- • Working with data
- • Writing
- • Analysis
Professional skills
- • Organisation
- • Project management
- • Planning
Qualifications
There is usually more than one way in. A degree is one route — not the only one.
Typical degree routes
- • Development studies
- • Geography
- • Politics
- • Economics
- • Any degree
Apprenticeships
- • Charity operations or fundraising apprenticeships
Other routes in
- • Volunteering and community programme experience then paid programme roles
Certifications worth exploring
Only worth doing if it helps you. Experience and evidence usually matter more than collecting certificates.
Useful now
- Free monitoring and evaluation basics
Almost every programme role mentions it.
Useful later
- Project management (PMD Pro or similar)
Designed for development organisations.
Optional specialist
- Humanitarian standards training
For emergency response work specifically.
Organisations to Put on Your Radar
Examples to explore — illustrative, not job adverts or endorsements
Large employers
A large international NGO
Third sector
Roles to look for: Programme assistant, intern
Why explore it: Structured entry and global exposure.
Specialist organisations
A development consultancy
Consulting
Roles to look for: Research assistant
Why explore it: Evidence and evaluation focus.
Public sector
A government development team
Public sector
Roles to look for: Programme officer apprentice
Why explore it: Policy plus delivery.
Charities and NGOs
A community-based charity
Third sector
Roles to look for: Volunteer, project assistant
Why explore it: Accessible starting point locally.
Start-ups and growing companies
A social enterprise
Social business
Roles to look for: Operations assistant
Why explore it: Entrepreneurial approach to impact.
Organisations in my region
A diaspora or community organisation near you
Varies by region
Roles to look for: Volunteering
Why explore it: Real responsibility quickly.
What should I look for on an employer's website?
- Graduate programmes — Structured schemes with training, usually opening a year before they start.
- Apprenticeships — Earn while you learn. Look for the level — Level 2 or 3 up to degree level.
- Internships — Paid experience over summer or a placement year. Often the main route into graduate roles.
- Insight days — One-day or one-week introductions, often for Year 12, 13 or first-year students.
- Volunteering — Many employers run volunteering days or support local projects you could join.
- Work experience — Short placements or shadowing. Ask directly — many are never advertised.
- Entry-level roles — Assistant, coordinator or support job titles are real doors into a career.