Remote International Development Jobs: Complete Work-From-Home Guide

When it comes to international development jobs, we often think of frontline workers in the field delivering emergency assistance or working with stakeholders, directly from local offices. But thanks to ever-growing digital connectivity around the world, it has now become possible to make a positive change to communities in need remotely, providing virtual consulting from any location around the globe.

Often nicknamed “virtual humanitarians,” the contributions of people who work remotely and online are no less important or significant than project managers in their regional headquarters and staff working onsite. Thanks to broadband internet connectivity and satellite services, remote development jobs have come to play an important role in delivering, monitoring, and assessing relief for people in need.

In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about work-from-home NGO positions, including in-demand skills and expertise, the types of jobs you can work entirely online, and which platforms and tools to use to enjoy a rewarding and successful career in this specialized sector.

The Rise of Remote Work in International Development

It really wasn’t that long ago that most people on Earth had never used the internet and working online from home was extraordinarily rare. Initially, some organizations offered what was then called “telecommuting” to refer to some positions that could occasionally be handled from a home office, but today, remote work as it is known is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global economy, and that includes international development work.

The first forays into remote work in this sector was when organizations began to adopt cloud-based collaboration tools that allowed their teams to coordinate across borders. Combined with legacy tools such as email and messaging apps, remote work soon blossomed into full-spectrum dominance in the form of data sharing, video conferencing, and remote project oversight. Today, it is common for some organizations to have an entire team making decisions and coordinating efforts without any presence in the field whatsoever.

The most popular applications of digital work in international development is in the form of remote monitoring, virtual collaboration, and virtual consulting.

Remote monitoring refers to systems and procedures which allow internet-connected staff to combine satellite imagery, mobile data collection, and digital dashboards in order to track ongoing situations, verify results, and rapidly respond to emerging challenges without the need for complex or time-consuming visitors to the field.

Virtual collaboration refers to using the internet so that team members can communicate, share data, and otherwise coordinate their efforts irrespective of each member’s physical location. These cloud-based tools permit things such as face-to-face video conferences, archiving and accessing shared data, and analytical tools to ensure that development work can remain transparent, accountable, and adaptive even when conducted entirely online.

Developing policy frameworks, providing financial audits, and working on organizational capacity building can be carried out remotely. This is what constitutes virtual consulting. With certain limitations, such as the need for physical presence for high-level negotiations and complex problem-solving where in-person communication is critical, this remote development work is still sought after in the sector.

One of the primary drivers for the move into more remote work is how it helps organizations to operate more cost-efficiently. On-site visits can be complex and difficult to coordinate, and field work in risky and evolving situations can accrue additional costs. Furthermore, remote work allows organizations to access talent no matter where it is around the globe, as well as bypass travel restrictions and other hurdles which might prevent organizations from collaborating with the most suitable individuals and teams.

Lastly, remote work is now a fundamental component of maintaining accountability. Virtual humanitarians allow NGOs and multilateral organizations to assess and monitor impact from afar, thus providing critical oversight free from the influence of local stakeholders and ensuring maximum value for their efforts.

Types of Remote Development Jobs Available Today

Remote development jobs are no longer just a digital equivalent of roles that were formerly performed in-house. Today, they encompass a broad range of professional positions that assist international aid efforts through digital means, including:

• Project Managers - Coordinating teams, overseeing timelines, monitoring budgets, and tracking deliverables to ensure that projects progress smoothly despite geographical limitations

  
  

• Researchers/Data Analysts - Gathering and interpreting information from surveys, field reports, and satellite data to guide decisions and measure and monitor program outcomes.

  
  

• Communication Specialists - Handling digital outreach, including creating content for websites, social media, and newsletters to engage donors, beneficiaries, and the general public.

  
  

• Fundraising Specialists - Everything from writing grant proposals, managing donor relationships, and organizing online campaigns to secure sufficient resources for ongoing efforts.

  
  

• Policy Consultants - Offering expert analysis and advice to governments, NGOs, think tanks, and stakeholders.

  
  

• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) - Designing and improving performance indicators, results trackers, and impact assessments using virtual dashboards, online tools, and data visualization apps.

Collectively, these roles represent the majority of work that is being done on a fully remote basis in order to assist and improve the implementation of international aid to communities in need.

Skills and Tools for Virtual Humanitarians

Familiarity with the internet is a prerequisite for anyone who wants to work online. But what other skills and tools are needed in order to get a remote development job?

First, there are the so-called “soft skills". These include things like experience and expertise in cross-cultural communication, the ability to adapt to challenging and/or dynamic circumstances, and the ability to understand and/or speak foreign languages.

In terms of digital competencies, some of the most important tools and apps which virtual humanitarians need to be familiar with include: Slack, Trello, and Asana. And for those working in data analysis and monitoring-GIS tools and digital dashboards.

Beyond that, cybersecurity awareness has become a highly important component for anyone wishing to work online in the international development space. Understanding things like data privacy regulations and how to protect against scammers, phishing attempts, and other forms of gaining unauthorized access to computer systems is essential for anyone operating in an online environment.

Effectively, virtual humanitarian professionals must be able to demonstrate technical expertise across a spectrum of digital tools as well as ethical awareness and empathy. Organizations hiring remote development workers want to know that staff members and consultants are able to engage with both beneficiaries and coworkers on a human level while also being able to deploy advanced cybersecurity skills while using cloud-based platforms and software tools.

Where to Find Remote International Development Opportunities

Okay, so you believe you have the skills and necessary expertise in the use of digital tools in order to become a virtual humanitarian. Where do you go when the time comes to look for a remote development job?

The first place to start is the platforms that focus on the unique needs of the international development community, including:

• DevelopmentAid - The leading job board for open roles in this sector, including remote positions.

  
  

• ReliefWeb - Regularly posts listings for humanitarian positions, both field-based and remote.

  
  

• UN Jobs - This is where all UN jobs are listed, including for remote roles, both paid and volunteer.

In addition, many of the larger and more globally focused NGOs post listings for jobs in their organization, including remote jobs, directly on their website.

Beyond that, we recommend using targeted networks for professionals in the international aid sector, including:

• Bond - Primarily for UK-based organizations and positions.

• NGOJobsEurope - Primarily for EU-based organizations and positions.

• Idealist - A global focus, posting listings for both volunteer and paid positions.

For anyone interested in consulting positions, we recommend marketplaces such as:

• Upwork

• Toptal

• Fiverr Pro

All of the above now have dedicated categories for development and humanitarian services, allowing expert consultants to find requests for paid services like policy analysis, remote monitoring support, and research.

Lastly, LinkedIn groups and professional associations that are dedicated to international aid are a great way to network with fellow experts in this field as well as finding mentorship opportunities and even sometimes short-term remote work assignments.

Thriving as a Virtual Humanitarian/Remote Development Professional

Although working as a remote development professional comes with a lot of perks, there are some unique challenges to these types of jobs. For instance, maintaining motivation and productivity can be difficult when working from home unless you establish a fixed schedule and personal discipline.

Building credibility as a virtual humanitarian is also essential, and you’ll need to display consistent reliability, responsiveness, and a commitment to the standards set by your organization. But if you can consistently deliver work on time, stay in regular communication with your teammates, and display cultural sensitivity, you can thrive as a remote development professional.

Now that working in international development has opened the doors to digital, globally-connected positions, there are unprecedented opportunities for professionals to contribute no matter where they are physically located. There is strong demand for virtual humanitarian roles such in project management, research, policy, analysis, communications and fundraising, as well as a wealth of virtual collaboration tools and platforms to support these endeavors.

NGOs, charitable organizations, and multilateral institutions are increasingly embracing the contributions that remote development professionals can offer, understanding that they can deliver meaningful impact without having to be physically present in the field or office.

Thanks to online platforms for job discovery, training courses to develop digital skills, and a wealth of collaboration platforms, motivated professionals can now build rewarding and long-lasting careers in global development while working entirely from home.

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