NPO/NGO Jobs in Washington, DC

Job Outlook
There are nearly 1.4 million nonprofit/nongovernmental (voluntary,
community-based, functional, or charitable) institutions in the
United States alone. Nonprofit institutions play an important role in
community life and are an integral part of the economic, political,
and social structure of our nation. A nonprofit’s primary goal is to
advance, advocate, or pursue a cause central to the organization’s
existence and mission. These missions can range from women’s
rights in the United States to third-world economic development.
Workdays in nonprofit organizations are often long, with financial
rewards not always matching effort or responsibility. Furthermore,
many nonprofits face a continual crisis of resources.
The size, diversity, and activity of nonprofit organizations have
grown dramatically over the past decade as a result of government
efforts to "privatize" services and programs. This sector employs
approximately 12.5 million people, expends $120 billion in annual
personnel costs, and represents $340 billion in total annual budget
outlays.
The nonprofit sector offers multiple employment options for Mas-
ter’s degree graduates. Examples of job titles include: Assistant
Director of Fundraising, Program Analyst, Program Director, Pro-
gram Officer, Marketing/Research Associate, Director, Community
Outreach Coordinator, Finance Director, Director of Information
Systems and Director of Public Relations. It is possible to be hired as
an Executive Director of a small organization. Entry-level salaries
range from the mid to high $20s to the mid $40s depending on the
size of the organization’s budget, the number of staff, and the diver-
sity of qualifications.
Nonprofit management is an expanding and dynamic career field
characterized by the growth of new organizations and new pro-
grams developed to improve the human condition. The outsourcing
of previously government managed-programs to the nonprofit sec-
tor continues to serve as a catalyst for new positions. There contin-
ues to be considerable turnover in the nonprofit world based on the
upward mobility and financial challenges of this profession.
Find & Apply for NPO/NGO Internships & Jobs Online
Public Service Careers (www.publicservicecareers.org)
Search jobs and internships in the new public sector—
nonprofits, NGOs, consulting, contracting, academia, and
government.
Nonprofit Career Network (www.nonprofitcareer.com)
Search for jobs and internships in the nonprofit sector.
Also contains a directory of nonprofit organizations.
Nonprofit Jobs Cooperative (www.nonprofitjobscoop.org)
Search jobs from a collaboration of nonprofit management
centers from around the U.S.
The Development Executive Group (www.devex.com)
The most comprehensive listing of international develop-
ment, global health, and humanitarian aid jobs. The ma-
jority of jobs are mid-level or above, some internships and
entry-level positions are also posted.
InterAction (www.interaction.org)
Search for openings in international development by job
sector, level, region, and country.
Foreign Policy Association (www.fpa.org)
Search job, internship, and volunteer postings with organi-
zations that have an international affairs or development
focus.
Policy Jobs (www.policyjobs.net)
Specializes in internships and jobs in the public policy field:
foreign policy, social policy, economics, legal affairs, fiscal
policy, and research.
Idealist (www.idealist.org)
Search for jobs and internships in the NPO/NGO commu-
nity.

Networking Resources
Pitt Career Network (www.alumni.pitt.edu/networking)
PCN is a networking resource for Pitt students and alumni and can be extremely useful when you're trying to set up informational
interviews. There are a number of ways you can search PCN: by metro region (e.g. Pittsburgh, DC, etc.), by employer type (federal
government, NPO, etc.), and by school/college (GSPIA, A&S, etc.). The nice thing about it is that you already have something in
common - Pitt - which can make the small talk discussion at the beginning of the meeting that much easier.

LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com)
LinkedIn is a professional networking tool that enables you to connect with classmates and colleagues. A number of organizations
and associations have created LinkedIn groups, including: GSPIA Alumni & Friends, Professional Public Service (through the Na-
tional Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration), and the University of Pittsburgh Alumni Association.

Young Nonprofit Professional Network (www.ynpn.org)

The YNPN promotes an efficient, viable, and inclusive nonprofit sector that supports the growth, learning, and development of
young professionals. We engage and support future nonprofit and community leaders through professional development, net-
working and social opportunities designed for young people involved in the nonprofit community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to find a job with an NPO/NGO?
Unlike the public sector where job postings can be highly regulated
and standardized, job postings in the NPO/NGO sector have more
variance. If you want to obtain a job with an NPO/NGO, building a
strong network of professional contacts is key. Soon after you begin
attending GSPIA, talk with your professors and career counselor to
learn about organizations and associations that match your interests.
Utilize the Pitt Career Network to begin the process of informational
interviewing. Attend alumni briefings and panel discussions and fol-
low-up with the participants via email. Complete multiple internships
to maximize your skills, experience, and contacts.
If I intern with an organization, will they offer me a full-time job af-
ter graduation?
Perhaps. A larger NPO/NGO may have the flexibility to utilize their
internship program as a recruitment tool. Smaller NPOs/NGOs are
unlikely to have the capacity to add additional staff. However, if you
excel as an intern and a staff position becomes open, the timing may
work in your favor!
How can I talk to alumni about working for an NPO/NGO?
Your best resource is the Pitt Career Network (www.alumni.pitt.edu/
networking). Pitt alumni have volunteered to serve as contacts for
current Pitt students who are interested in learning more about their
careers. You can search PCN by industry, job function, metro area,
etc. It’s a great way to begin the informational interviewing/
networking process. Keep in mind how informational interviewing
works: you meet with someone to discuss the organization and their
job/career path, etc. and then you ask them who else they would rec-
ommend you speak with. After a couple of email exchanges/phone
conversations/in person interviews, you will likely have a handful of
additional contacts – all people who are more likely to think of you if
a job posting crosses their desk!
I’ve been offered a position, but it’s not my dream job. What should
I do?
Make an appointment to discuss your situation with a career coun-
selor. Is the job something that will allow you to gain experience and
build skills in your area of interest? Will the job allow you to get your
foot in the door and move closer to your ideal job? Remember that
your first job will not be your last job—it’s just the first step on your
career path.
I’d like to work internationally. Should I bother to complete an in-
ternship in Washington, DC?
Yes! If you wish to work internationally, your should complete at least
one international internship. Complementing that international in-
ternship with one in DC can work to your advantage. Many NPOs/
NGOs have their headquarters or a major branch office in the DC
Metro Area. Gaining the headquarters perspective to supplement the
in-the-field perspective will enable you to learn more about the field
and may lead to additional professional opportunities.
Are there skills that can help set me apart from other candidates?
In addition to written and oral communication skills, proficiency in
budgeting, program evaluation, and project management is key. Be-
cause funding is always a concern, experience in development, fund-
raising, and grant writing is crucial.
Information taken from publications written by the Career Services Directors of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA) .
Fellowship Programs
Open Society Institute Baltimore Community Fellowship
Program (www.soros.org)
Community Fellowships are awarded to individuals who
wish to employ their educational and professional attain-
ments in service to disadvantaged communities. The
goals are to encourage public and community service
careers, expand the number of mentors and role models
available to youth in inner-city neighborhoods, and pro-
mote initiatives and entrepreneurship that will empower
those communities to increase opportunity and improve
the quality of life there.
International Fellows Program (www.ifesh.org)
A nine-month internship targeting talented recent college
graduates and graduate students in an effort to provide
on-the-job development experience at community pro-
ject sites in Africa. The Fellows provide technical assis-
tance and training to community-based grassroots pro-
jects in various areas such as education, public health,
HIV/AIDS, English as a Second Language (ESL), agricultural
development, proposal development, managerial train-
ing, feasibility studies, and small business enterprise de-
velopment.
Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship (www.cdsintl.org)
A distinguished transatlantic initiative that each year of-
fers twenty accomplished young Americans the opportu-
nity to complete a high-level professional development
program in Germany. Over the course of a nine-month
program, Bosch Fellows complete two work phases at
leading German institutions, both customized to each
fellow's professional expertise, and attend three seminars
with key decision-makers from the public and private
sectors, taking place across Europe. Fellows are recruited
from business administration, journalism, law, public pol-
icy and closely related fields.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Graduate &
Young Professional Fellowship Program (www.chci.org)
A paid fellowship program for exceptional Latinos who
have a master's degree (or higher) or equivalent three
years professional experience. Fellows will choose a pol-
icy field and be offered unparalleled exposure to hands-
on experience in public policy. This program focuses spe-
cifically on the areas of: health, housing, international
affairs, law, science, technology, engineering, or math.
This unique fellowship program seeks to enhance partici-
pants' leadership abilities, strengthen professional skills,
and increase the presence of Latinos in underserved pub-
lic policy areas.
Additional information about NPO/NGO fellowship pro-
grams is available at http://www.idealist.org/en/
career/fellowship.html.