Find a Job in International Development

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Many avenues are open to skilled individuals who wish to work in international development, with either the Government of Canada or its partners:

  1. Work for Global Affairs Canada on a temporary or permanent basis as a federal public servant
  2. Work as an intern through Global Affairs Canada’s International Youth Internship Program or through the International Aboriginal Youth Internships initiative
  3. Work as an advisor or volunteer with a non-governmental organization
  4. Work as an advisor on contract with an executing agency carrying out an international development project
  5. Work as a technical advisor on contract with a United Nations agency in a developing country

Global Affairs Canada also contracts with consultants in support of its assistance programs and projects.

If you are a youth, visit the Youth Zone for more internship and volunteer opportunities.

1. Work for Global Affairs Canada on a temporary or permanent basis as a federal public servant

The Public Service of Canada is constantly hiring at all levels to ensure that it has the skills, knowledge, and talent base to meet the evolving needs of Canadians and the mandates of each department and agency, including Global Affairs Canada.

As the nation's largest employer, the Public Service of Canada offers a broad diversity of careers in locations throughout Canada and, particularly in Global Affairs Canada’s case, around the world. Duties and requirements for skills and experience vary with the position.

When recruiting from outside the public service, preference is given to Canadian citizens, in accordance with the Public Service Employment Act.

How to apply

Global Affairs Canada recruits employees from outside the public service through the services of the Public Service Commission (PSC), which lists job opportunities open to the public on their Careers in the federal public service website.

The PSC may list some positions separately:

  • If you are a postsecondary graduate or will be shortly and are interested in a career in international development with the Government of Canada, visit the PSC's Post-Secondary Recruitment site
  • If you are a full-time student looking for summer or part-time employment with Global Affairs Canada, visit the PSC's Federal Student Work Experience Program site
  • If you are enrolled in a work-study program, visit your educational institution's internship office
  • If you are presently a federal public service employee or an employee in private business, another level of government, a Crown corporation, a union, an academic institution, or a non-profit organization, you could work with Global Affairs Canada for a determinate period through Interchange Canada , a program that promotes lasting bridges between the federal public sector and all other sectors, both within Canada and internationally, by offering employees from one sector a temporary assignment in another sector

Become a development officer

The New Development Officers Program is a recruitment and career development program aimed at renewing the department's international development officers. The program establishes a development framework for recruits to acquire the competencies required of a development officer at the PM-4 level.

Information will be posted on Careers in the federal public service as it becomes available.

2. Work as an intern through Global Affairs Canada's International Youth Internship Program or International Aboriginal Youth Internships initiative

The International Youth Internship Program is part of the Career Focus stream of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy (YES), which provides Canadian youth with tools and experience they need to launch successful careers.

The International Aboriginal Youth Internships initiative provides opportunities for Aboriginal youth to participate in international internships in developing countries.

3. Work as an advisor or volunteer with a non-governmental organization

The Government of Canada establishes partnerships with many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that carry out international development work overseas. Contracts with a variety of professional and technical duties in all sectors of international development are available with several of these NGOs for work as an advisor or volunteer. Postings in a developing country are usually for up to two years and must be approved by the partner organization in the field. Remuneration varies from one organization to the other and generally includes a living allowance and other forms of compensation. Requirements also vary from one organization to another but generally include:

  • Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status
  • Relevant professional qualifications
  • Experience in the sector concerned
  • Belief in the organization's direction and objectives

Apply directly by sending your résumé to the appropriate NGOs. Below you will find a list of the principal NGOs supported by the Government of Canada that send advisors or volunteers to developing countries. You will also find a list of provincial/regional councils supported by the Government of Canada. The members of these umbrella organizations may also send volunteers overseas and their websites provide more information about jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities.

Provincial/Regional Councils

The Provincial and Regional Councils for International Cooperation are not for profit coordination bodies located in Canadian provinces, regions and territories. Together they work to engage Canadians in international development issues and to disseminate information about Global Affairs Canada direction, funding opportunities and lessons learned from stakeholders. The councils have a membership of over 400 members across Canada.

We invite you to contact your provincial or regional council for more information on how to get involved in international development activities in your area.

4. Work as an advisor on contract with an executing agency carrying out an international development project

The management of some projects is delegated by the Government of Canada to private sector firms, universities or colleges, Canadian non-government organizations or institutions, and provincial or territorial government departments, commonly known as executing agencies. These projects comprise a variety of professional or technical activities in all development sectors. The executing agency sets the contract requirements, which generally include:

  • Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status
  • Required skills and experience
  • Experience in the field

To apply for a position with one of our partners, send your résumé directly to the organization. Executing agencies generally list positions on their website; others use the career sections of local or national newspapers.

5. Work as a technical advisor on contract with a United Nations agency in a developing country

The Government of Canada collaborates with several United Nations (UN) agencies whose mandates relate to international development. These agencies include:

These agencies contract with professional, scientific, or technical experts. To obtain a contract in Canada, candidates must satisfy various requirements, which generally include:

  • Canadian citizenship
  • University degree in a relevant field
  • Minimum five years' experience in the field concerned (preferably in a developing country)

Candidates must apply directly to the agency.