NGOs often have a lot of staff. Large NGOs may have hundreds or even thousands of staff. An NGO’s human resources department is an essential part of effectively managing these staff. There is a wide range of jobs in the NGO sector for qualified human resources professionals. There are also entry-level positions for people who want to start a career in human resources in NGOs.
If you’re interested in working in human resources at an NGO, be sure to read our guide to the most common HR jobs. We’ve also included a section for each role on the experience and qualifications often needed to apply.
HR Manager
The HR Manager oversees all HR processes within an NGO mission. If working at the headquarters level, the HR Manager is likely to oversee a certain department or the NGO’s HR work in a number of country offices.
The job of the HR Manager in an NGO is to ensure the effective implementation of HR processes. This includes recruiting, managing staff, developing guidelines and tools, and coordinating with other teams. The HR Manager will oversee the HR team and often manage HR Officers and recruiters.
How to Apply
If you are interested in becoming an HR Manager in an NGO, we suggest you complete a formal qualification in Human Resources. As a management position, you will also need experience working in HR. Previous experience in an NGO would be an asset, but experience in the private and public sector may also be beneficial.
HR Officer
In an NGO, the HR Officer is the primary mid-level position within the human resources department. They are responsible for the day-to-day management of the NGO’s human resources procedures. This includes developing guidelines, assisting with recruitments, onboarding staff and entering monthly payroll.
The HR Officer often reports to the Human Resources Manager or Human Resources Coordinator. In smaller NGOs, the HR and finance teams may be combined into an administration team. In these cases, the HR Officer usually reports to the Administrative Coordinator. The HR Officer will provide line management for the HR assistants.
How to apply
To become an HR Officer in an NGO, you need between one and three years of professional experience. Previous experience in an HR position in an NGO would be an advantage, but relevant experience in the private and public sectors is often also considered. A formal qualification, such as a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, in human resources would also be an asset.
Recruiter
Large NGOs have hundreds, sometimes thousands, of employees. Managing the turnover of this number of staff requires a significant amount of recruitment. Some NGOs have the dedicated role of Recruiter. This position is responsible for managing the hiring of new employees and ensuring their effective integration.
In an NGO, the Recruiter is often managed by the HR Manager. Their role is to oversee the entire recruitment process, from validating job descriptions and vacancies, to signing contracts for new employees and coordinating their onboarding.
How to apply
NGOs look for individuals with a proven track record of hiring staff when employing a recruiter. While previous experience in the NGO sector is an asset, this is certainly a role where private or public sector experience is also very valuable.
Talent Manager
The NGO sector has become increasingly professionalized over the past decades. As a result, some aspects of private sector HR are beginning to be used within NGOs. Talent managers in NGOs are responsible for recruiting senior staff and retaining talented staff. They also develop strategies to foster internal mobility within the NGO so that staff can develop their skills and grow in their careers.
Only large NGOs will have a Talent Manager on their HR team. The Talent Manager is often managed directly by the HR Coordinator or the Director of the Human Resources Department.
How to apply
If you are looking for a job as a Talent Manager in an NGO, you will need a proven track record of hiring senior staff and retaining talented staff within an organization. Many NGOs will look favorably on both private and public sector experience when recruiting for talent manager positions.
Administrative Coordinator
In some NGOs, usually smaller ones, the finance and human resources teams are combined into one administrative team. This team is managed by the administrative coordinator. The job of the administrative coordinator is to oversee the finance and HR functions of an NGO’s mission. They have ultimate responsibility for both areas.
As the senior HR position within an NGO, the administrative coordinator manages the HR staff. Often, they will provide line management to the HR manager and staff. The administrative coordinator will typically report to the head of mission. An important part of the Administrative Coordinator’s job is to ensure that HR processes are effectively implemented across all PVO programs.
How to Apply
To become an administrative coordinator in an NGO, you must have a solid understanding of finance and human resources management. Previous experience in HR roles would certainly be an asset. You will often need five or more years of experience to become an administrative coordinator. A formal qualification in finance or HR would also be beneficial.
Human Resources Coordinator
In most NGOs, the human resources coordinator is the most senior position on the human resources team. They have the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the effective implementation of HR processes. In most NGOs, the HR Coordinator is based in a country office and is responsible for HR management throughout the mission.
As the senior HR position, the HR Coordinator reports to the Country Director. They also manage the HR team, often reporting directly to HR managers and supervising HR assistants and recruiters. In most NGOs, the HR Coordinator will also report indirectly to HR Advisors at headquarters.
How to Apply
If you are interested in working as an HR coordinator for an NGO, you need several years of relevant work experience. NGOs usually look for previous experience in HR management positions within the NGO sector when recruiting HR coordinators. A formal degree or qualification in HR would also be an asset.
Administrative Officer
In the NGO sector, the administrative office role is the mid-level position within the administrative team. The administrative officer covers a range of bureaucratic and human resources tasks. Their role is to ensure the smooth running of the administration of an NGO. The administrative officer is managed by the administrative coordinator.
Many NGOs combine human resources with administration because the two functions overlap to some extent. In small NGOs, the administrator may cover all human resources work. In larger NGOs, the administrative manager may work alongside the human resources manager.
How to Apply
If you are looking for a position that covers both administration and human resources, consider applying for administrator positions with NGOs. As a mid-level position, you will need two to three years of work experience to get a job as an administrator.
HR Assistant
The HR assistant position is the entry-level position in an NGO’s human resources team. The HR assistant is responsible for the day-to-day management of the HR department. Their duties often include writing documents, arranging travel, issuing contracts, and providing assistants to the entire HR team.
The HR assistant is usually managed by the HR manager. They also often provide assistance to other departments regarding travel or HR administration. In some NGOs, HR assistants or similar roles are offered as internships.
How to apply
If you are interested in working in human resources for an NGO and are at the beginning of your career, apply for HR assistant jobs. You need a degree in human resource management if you want to enter the NGO sector as an HR assistant. A relevant internship can also help you land the job.
Administrative Assistant
In the NGO sector, the administrative assistant is the entry-level position on the administrative team. They often cover a range of HR tasks. Smaller NGOs may have the administrative assistant oversee the majority of the day-to-day HR work. In larger NGOs, the administrative assistant’s role covers both administration and human resources.
The administrative assistant may report to the administrative officer or the human resources officer. The administrative assistant role is in many ways similar to the HR assistant position, but with a greater focus on the day-to-day administration within the NGO.
How to Apply
Getting a job as an administrative assistant can be a fantastic way to start a career in the NGO sector. You will often need a relevant degree, but completing an internship will also give you an advantage. However, some NGOs will accept people who are simply willing and dedicated in administrative assistant roles.