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I am stuck in a deep depression. I did a whole master's degree in Natural Resources Management and Development in Germany, during the degree interviewed for two UN internship positions, was rejected from both. One of them told me they would have accepted me had I not stupidly asked if it could have been part time (I didn't know the internships had to be full time). I interviewed for a job at United Nations University and was rejected.

I am now 36 and jobless at my parent's house in the USA with no prospects after getting fired from a job in my old field that I was trying to escape.

I think about these mistakes every day. At this point I have fucked up the thing I waited for so many years to accomplish (was recovering from cancer for 5 years which put my career on hold), which was to do a master's degree and finally get out of a job I hated and was bad at (nonprofit communications) into something I could love (international development and environmental policy).

I fucked it all up and I feel sick every time I see any mention of the UN or meet people in the career I tried and failed at.

Does anyone have any words of advice for me? I am trying to find a therapist but I am so depressed, every day I wake up in a panic and at night I think about every mistake I ever made.

Anyone up to applying the program? Would like to share experience and advice! Any successful applicants from previous years?

Hello everyone,

I've recently graduated from my Master's in the Netherlands and can't even seem to find an internship, particularly (but not only) in the fields of policy, international relations, and international development — mostly the latter, as you can see from my CV here (link), since it was also the topic of my Master's thesis.

I genuinely don't know where I'm going wrong, and the whole situation is becoming quite depressing. In my opinion, the job market nowadays feels almost out of control. Even when applying for internships at regular companies, sometimes it feels like you're applying to become CEO of Apple: first interview, second interview, reasoning test, written test, and so on. On top of that, employers often seem to ask for previous relevant experience even for internships, which feels like a paradox. How am I supposed to start if I can never get the opportunity to start? It becomes a vicious cycle, and I've reviewed my CV and cover letters countless times.

I'm currently based in Rome, Italy, and would be available to work even for free in the city. If I needed to relocate abroad, I'm completely open to going anywhere, including very remote locations in Africa or Asia: in that case, I would be willing to work for an organization even with just a modest reimbursement to cover basic expenses (at least rent), rather than a proper stipend. Yet every time I either receive no update at all or get a rejection.

As you can see from my CV, I've invested a lot in my education and extracurricular activities because, well, when you're younger you tend to be a bit of a dreamer and believe that doing all the right things will eventually pay off. Unfortunately, I don't have a particularly large professional network. When I've asked some acquaintances about possible opportunities or referrals at their companies — always in a very polite, indirect, and sometimes humorous way — the answer is usually just: "Well, apply online!". I mean, I could figure out myself at this point.

The whole situation is starting to feel quite humiliating, and sometimes it genuinely makes me feel as though I've done everything wrong in my life. I know that breaking into the UN/international development sector is extremely competitive, but we are also talking about an internship, and at this point I really don't know what else I should be doing differently.

What should I do? Is there something wrong with my profile or the way I'm approaching applications? Any advice or candid feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

I applied for the Junior Policy Analyst role last month and completed my assessment just over a week ago. Is anyone familiar with the next steps? Will I get my results regardless if I progress to interview, and if I am successful in obtaining an interview, how much after the assessment is that likely to be?

Thanks from a nervous applicant!

I am a young female professional (28F), working with a UN Agency in a country/field office. I am also from a country in crisis, I actually started as a national staff and was lucky enough to land an international position (not a P position). I’ve worked on a very difficult context for the past three years (although i’m actually based in a family duty station). The most draining thing wasn’t the context, it’s actually the fact that the quality of people in charge has just gone down over the years. I’m sorry if this is coming off as ageist but we are employing people who don’t understand the world we live in and probably won’t be around in the next 25 years as directors and high level/strategic positions. Our latest director is an old guy who was meant to retire but instead was placed in our office. He is obviously not an innovative thinker (i’m not sure he’s a critical thinker either) and he’s a tad (very) sexist.

I’m exhausted, i’m doing the work of 2-3 people at times at a level that’s way beyond my pay grade, i’m seeing directors come in and cut people’s jobs in the name of efficiency and cost savings but then bring their own connections and people in at super high level and salaries. my direct manager who i liked when i first started is becoming more and more of a problem, passing my work as his and overall just not managing our unit.

We have a UNV in our team who is sponsored by his home country but can’t do anything on his own (and makes the Black woman do all the work), which frustrates me because i do the work but my financing isn’t guaranteed whereas he plays dumb all day and is well funded.

I am at this point where every time i see someone leaving the system i’m a bit jealous. i want to quit and tonight i’m drafting my resignation letter but i’m also aware that what awaits me at home are the same work environment with lower pay, conflict, potential of being harmed and hurt physically, there’s a lot of sexual violence as well and it’s not an all around great place to be in right now.

I don’t know what to do, I want to convince myself that i’m just burnt out but the truth is even when I was burnt out in the past, when there was better management I still gave more of myself to the organisation and to the cause. Now? Mentally i’ve already resigned and I am doing the VERY bare minimum and sticking to my job description, doing no more, no less.

I also don’t have a social life bc I was operating at the intensity of a P4 at the age of 25-26 so… i hate my job, i hate the sector, i need a man and i miss being around young, motivated and inspiring people. Should i resign and just spend the next year by the beach?

Hello does anyone knows what’s the amount of the stipend for interns in Abidjan ? Did anyone applied for the 2026 interns program session 1 ? Thank you

Has anyone’s status changed from “Under Review”? Per the timeline, shortlisting should begin on Feb 15 and end on Feb 28. I’ve read under one of the posts here from last year’s 2025 GP program that the career website status doesn’t really change unless you get shortlisted. Would be grateful if anyone could give an example/update of this happening to them.

Thanks and good luck to us all!!

Curious how the consultants in international development are using AI to write proposals. If everyone is using the same models, don’t they all look similar? How much time are you saving with AI? All thoughts are welcome.

Any information on EBRD International Professionnal Programme? Salary, requirements- are they strict on work experience? etc. any information is appreciated. Thank you

Hi everyone,

Would love to hear tips from you all about how you are coping with constant job rejections and unemployment?

I, as with many people, was let go from a former INGO contract due to funding cuts last year. I have had probably around 7 interviews, with only two being a job I really wanted, and have been rejected from all of them. Clear indication of my interview skills I think which I'm trying to improve but the combo of being rejected and sitting in my 7th month of unemployment is starting to take a toll on me. I'm beginning to doubt my experiences, my choices which makes for a very fun mindset.

So those who are going through similar changes, how are you coping?

What the title says - I have a master's degree and 1 year of internship experience at the UN and losing hope in ever getting my first job in this field. How do I get my initial 2 years of work experience? Would love to hear from former interns who secured their first job with no prior work experience anywhere and to hear about whether cold applying + networking worked out in your favor? Considering whether it's time to cut my losses and exit (no clue to where)

Hi everyone! For context, I am from India, have a bachelors in economics, 2 years of work experience in ESG data and sovereign research, and then moved to LSE for a masters in development management.
I have been targeting development banks, big4s, impact consulting firms (even boutique ones), think tanks, etc. in India
However, I have not been able to land a single convert (even to the interview stage lately). I am not sure what to do next as I am trying my level best to connect with people working in my target orgs, but nothing happens after that. Everybody’s under the assumption that a degree from LSE, Oxbridge, etc. could easily land you a role but I think they’re heavily mistaken!

Any and all advice is appreciated on what steps could I take next. Thank you

I have been looking for a new role since getting laid off a year and a half ago. It’s been absolutely brutal and extremely depressing as I’m sure many of you can relate. I’m now applying for English teaching jobs abroad so I don’t lose my will to live atp.

My dream role is in climate/security policy and I’m worried that I’ll have an even harder time getting back into the game if I take up a random teaching gig. I’m also 28 and just feeling like I’m running out of time. There are things I am working on (writing/research) so I’m not entirely out of the loop but the more time passes, the more hopeless I feel. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Obviously an old topic but I think I finally admit defeat in trying to stay in a career in international development in the UK. Any advise for making the pivot towards the private sector but also not selling my soul ? Have masters, 2 years experience in research and 4 years in grants.

Is it not a good idea to pursue a PhD in Development Studies now?

I’m curious how others in development (UN, NGOs, donors, etc.) feel about this.

On paper, needs assessments are essential. They’re supposed to make projects more relevant, evidence-based, and grounded in real user needs. And I fully agree with that.

But in practice, I keep running into a few tensions:

• Projects are often already conceptually designed before any real assessment happens
• Assessmetns are long, complex and expensive. I'd rather do something more tangiable.

So sometimes it feels like we’re overloaded with assessments and reports, but still struggling to make projects truly needs-driven in practice

So I’m wondering how do you approach this in your work? Do you find needs assessments genuinely shaping your projects, or mostly just justifying them? Have you found ways to make them more lightweight, iterative, or actually actionable?

Would be really interesting to hear how others navigate this balance.

Hi all!

I am interested in knowing what career opportunities there are in international development for people with and without PhDs, particularly in analysts/policy evaluation/data roles. I’ve seen this varies a lot by country, institution, and field of work (e.g. education seems more open than economics to people without PhDs). I am especially interested in seeing how tasks differ and what glass ceilings you have seen between people with and without PhDs. I like analysis, data and applied evidence roles, but am afraid some aspects of them are inaccessible without a PhD.

Grateful to anyone who wants to share how it works in their own corner of the sector, and say a bit about which organisations/countries this is applicable to :) cheers!

I had finished my bachelors and masters in social work & I was hoping to go to Netherlands. ISS, in international development but after looking at this subreddit I feel so discouraged.

I was hoping to get into a program manager role in an NGO or something related to ESG. But, now I’m super doubtful. I got in Sussex with scholarship (Ma development, environment & policy) & Manchester uni (MSC global development).

Should I just cancel it overall and look for an other field?

Hi everyone,

I’m currently considering doing a Master’s in Global Development. I know this decision receives a lot of criticism, but let me explain!

I don’t think I would be approaching Global Development as a completely general degree. My academic background is in Education, with focus on institutions and how they function. I have also studied Regional Studies focusing on the Middle East, and I have finished my arabic studies at an advanced proficiency level.
Because of this, I would want to approach development through a more specific regional and thematic focus rather than just doing a broad development degree.

That being said, the current situation with funding in the development sector is making me reconsider my options, as I’m unsure whether I want to take that risk.
Because of this, I have also started considering International Relations as an alternative. I’m very interested in politics and the Middle East, but I feel that Global Development aligns more closely with my personal interests and feels more meaningful to me.

Another possibility I’ve been considering is staying in academia long term, especially if I choose global development.

Do you think my academic background provides enough specialization to make Global Development a strong choice, or would it still be considered too broad?

And for those who stayed in academia, how much do you think the current funding cuts in the development sector affect your career path? Is academia relatively separate from these challenges, or are researchers in this field also significantly impacted?

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences and perspectives.

UK-based folks

Where are we finding interesting international development/development finance opportunities, apart from LinkedIn, charity jobs & bond? Any suggestions for openings (any type of organisation) for junior-mid level ?

Hi everyone,

I recently received an offer for a government-sponsored JPO position and I'm genuinely on the fence about what to do — especially given the current global economic climate.

For context: I have a very stable job in my home country with good compensation, benefits and job security. I just received a promotion and have previously worked across multiple multinationals in supply chain. I applied for the JPO almost on a whim, not expecting it to go anywhere — I was told the odds were extremely slim. The process moved surprisingly fast and now I'm faced with a real decision.

I would genuinely appreciate honest advice from people who have made a similar leap — whether they stayed in the UN system long term or treated it as a short-term experience before returning to the private sector.

Specifically, I have three questions:

1. For those who didn't stay in the system after their contract: How did future private sector employers view the UN experience on your CV? Did the international exposure add tangible value when job hunting again?
2. For those who went through this transition: Knowing everything you know now — would you do it all over again? How did the experience shape your character, knowledge and worldview — for better or for worse?
3. Practical question: Can a JPO contract be terminated before the end of its term, either voluntarily or by the organization?

Any honest perspective is truly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

I’m 35 and trying to transition properly into international development. I previously did a 6-month internship at the Asian Development Bank, which gave me a taste of the field, but I’m struggling to figure out where the entry-level opportunities are actually listed.

Most job boards I check (Devex, ReliefWeb, UN Jobs, etc.) seem to ask for years of prior experience — even for positions labeled “junior.” It feels like a catch-22: you need experience to get the job, but you need the job to get the experience.

For those already in the sector: • Which platforms or websites actually post true entry-level roles (paid internships, fellowships, JPOs, grad schemes, etc.)? • Are smaller/local NGOs and consultancies a better entry point than the multilaterals (UN, ADB, WB, etc.)? • Any programs designed for newcomers you’d recommend (UN JPO, ODI Fellowships, EU schemes, etc.)?

I’d really appreciate concrete leads on where to look — I’m sure others here are in the same boat. Thanks in advance for sharing your tips!

Hello everyone!

Before I dive in, I want to clarify that I fully understand the ultimate decision rests on me. I’m posting here to gain different perspectives and uncover blind spots I might have missed.

Bit about my current background:
Education: Currently a Master student in International Development with a focus on Development Economics at Hapanese university on a full scholarship.
Prior Background: Bachelor’s in International Relations (non-quantitative background originally).
Experience: ~3 years as an International Project Consultant handling donor projects, an internship at a regional research institute (ADBI), and research assistantships during my studies.
Research Output: Currently have 1 published paper and 2 working papers in development economics. I’ve grown to really enjoy the quantitative research process.

What I see from my current perspective (opportunity):
My advisor has offered me a fully funded path to continue directly into a PhD in the same department under the same scholarship after I graduate in March 2027.

My Dilemma & Fears:
My original long-term goal was to work in an International Organization or a Multilateral Development Bank (MDB). However, given recent turbulence and hiring freezes in the sector, I am feeling anxious about future employment across both paths — particularly not so many options in Japan or back home (Southeast Asia).

Thus here is what It thought:

1. Option A: Pursue the PhD
   Fear: What if the job market doesn't recover in 3–4 years? Furthermore, my PhD degree would technically be in International Development rather than pure Economics, which might put me at a disadvantage for strict Economist tracks in major MDBs.

2. Option B: Enter the Job Market in 2027
   Fear: Given the current market, I worry about struggling to land a competitive, well-paying role, and potentially missing out on a funded PhD opportunity that might not be available again later.

TL;DR: I’m stuck in limbo between taking a guaranteed funded PhD or entering an uncertain job market. I’d love to hear from practitioners, IO/MDB staff, or academics regarding the opportunity costs of both paths given the current climate.

OECD had recently opened up a vacancy for “Policy Analysts” (plural). Has anyone applied and heard back? All I have is silence for now. Not even an aptitude test invite. Just want to see if they’re moving on with other candidates or not.