Throughout Europe, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play vital societal roles. These organizations strive to alleviate pressures from poverty, inequality, climate change, and the like.
Of course, to make positive changes through their work, NGOs also need skilled and passionate teams to do the necessary work. That means that a variety of job opportunities are available to you if you choose to start a career at an NGO.
Below, we’ll consider the basic documentation and permissions you’ll need in order to work in Europe. Then, we’ll dive into exactly what NGOs are and the types of job positions that may be available to you.
Working in Europe – The Basics You’ll Need
The job application process itself is comparable to that of the U.S. and many other countries, but you will need a Europass CV instead of the standard resume you may be more familiar with. The Europass CV is actually a type of resume that follows a specific format expected by and familiar to European employers.
To work as an expat in Europe, however, you will need to do a bit of legwork in advance. First, you should research the entry and work permit requirements for your destination of choice. This varies from country to country.
Some NGOs may seek remote talent for certain positions, opening the door to you even if you reside outside of Europe.
What Are NGOs?
The phrase “non-governmental organization” may not seem very informative if you’re unfamiliar with NGOs. NGOs are similar to non-profit organizations in that they aren’t focused on making a profit, but they are usually much broader in scope. NGOs are not directly connected with the government, though they may receive funding from it.
NGOs typically seek positive change that addresses political, social, or environmental issues. Others are religious, literary, educational, scientific, or sports-related. Some focus on spreading information on a certain topic, while others initiate political policy change or provide tangible, physical aid to individuals or communities.
Fulfilling Positions at NGOs
What types of work can you expect to do for an NGO? You might picture yourself manning the serving line at a food kitchen or planting a seedling, depending on the focus of the organization you’d like to work for.
There are jobs like that—hands-on field work that accomplishes the organization’s goals directly. But each NGO also has a team skilled in management, finance, human resources, and communication. Do any of the positions below match your training and experience?
- Advocacy Officer—Advocacy Officers seek to interact with government officials in order to influence policy decisions on behalf of the organization.
- Communications Officer—NGOs must communicate with the public, governmental and law enforcement agencies, vendors and suppliers, funders, event planners, venues, and others. Communications Officers devise the strategy for accurately communicating the organization’s mission and advocating its programs.
- Finance Officer—Develops and maintains budgets, drafts financial reports, and ensures compliance with relevant financial regulations.
- Fundraising Officer—Fundraising Officers devise ways for the organization to make money, from writing grants to hosting events and cultivating relationships with major donors.
- Human Resources Officer—Responsible for recruitment, training, well-being, and performance management for employees and volunteers.
- Information Technology Officer—This position keeps the organization’s networks and devices up-to-date and running smoothly and securely. They may also suggest or develop new technologies to meet changing needs and train others on the use of them.
- Monitoring And Evaluation Officer—How well is the organization achieving its goals? That is what this Officer determines. In turn, they create informative materials to let stakeholders know their findings.
- Program Manager—Program managers monitor NGO programs, planning and implementing new initiatives. They use goals aligned with the NGO’s mission to keep programs on track.
- Project Manager—Project Managers work under Program Managers. While a Program Manager oversees all of the organization’s projects, the Project Manager works to ensure the smooth operation of just one project.
- Research Officer—Those in this position must have a propensity for asking questions and finding answers online or at libraries, museums, and in public records.
Skills Needed for NGO Positions
Working with an organization like an NGO, you will need strong communication and interpersonal skills to thrive as part of a team. You should also be capable of working independently.
Finally, you should be passionate about the organization’s cause. This will motivate you and help maintain team morale. You can cultivate such passion by learning about the cause and the good the organization is doing.
Key Takeaways
With a bit of forethought and planning, it is not difficult to obtain permission to work as an expat in Europe. NGOs in particular, offer meaningful work to those seeking to pursue a passion or simply feel fulfilled in helping others. Many office-based jobs are essential for NGOs to run smoothly, and your communication skills, teamwork, and passion can go a long way toward landing the job.
There’s plenty of good to be done through NGOs, but it will take a lot of work to get there. Embark on your NGO career today and make a difference for future generations.
