Talent development programme

A growing number of people around the world are studying relevant subjects and are interested in the humanitarian sector. With this talent programme, we would like to offer them a chance to join the new generation of aid workers.

The programme aims to respond to NRC’s needs in our programming. It is not an internship or about supporting students in completing their formal or higher education.

The programme enhances the candidates’ skills through learning by doing, supportive leadership and individual training based on needs, and aims to build the candidates into the profile needed.

Candidates will be chosen based on previous experience and skills, and the bulk of the training will be aimed at acquiring necessary knowledge and skills related to the humanitarian sector.

After completing the programme, candidates are encouraged to apply for positions at NRC. They will be considered internal candidates and covered by the internal recruitment policy.

Testimonials

Ahmed and Marko were both trainees with us in 2017, and landed full-time jobs with NRC after they completed the talent development programme. Here you can read about their experiences.

Ahmad’s experience 

Tell us about your previous experience.

"I hold a Bachelor Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Before Joining NRC, I worked with International Committee for the Development of People, during the peak of the Syrian crisis, when the influx of refugees into Lebanon first exceeded one million. Here, I gained hands-on experience working with emergency response."

Why did you apply for this programme?

"It’s a great chance to join an international humanitarian organisation. The talent development programme gave me an opportunity to improve my knowledge under the supervision of an experienced mentor. You get to learn by doing, and engage in every aspect of NRC’s work."

How did you manage to get a fulltime positon at NRC?

I have worked with NRC since August 2017 as a trainee WASH and Infrastructure Coordinator. With the WASH team, I got the chance to coordinate and implement community support projects, like WASH projects, according to NRC’s strategy, proposals and plans. After eight months working as a trainee and gaining some experience on project implementation, I got the chance to apply for a regular position as a community support project t coordinator. I underwent all the recruitment procedures, and I was offered the position.

Why should people apply?

It’s an excellent opportunity to refine your skills. It’s also a chance to engage and network with experienced and supportive humanitarian professionals.

Marko's experience

Tell us about your previous experience.

Before embarking on this adventure with NRC, besides working with local NGOs in my home country, I gained my first work experiences abroad in the international cooperation and development sector with UN and EU agencies. I also had some experience working  as a volunteer with displaced populations.

Why did you apply for this programme?

I applied for the Talent Development Programme primarily because of NRC’s impressive work with displaced populations around the world and its reputation in the humanitarian sector. In addition to that, with this programme, NRC offered a chance to people from other sectors, people like me, to make a career change. I appreciated the initiative to recruit people who do not necessarily have previous experience in humanitarian aid, but are motivated and willing to apply their existing knowledge and skills in this sector.

How did you manage to get a fulltime positon at NRC?

Being part of this programme allowed me to learn more about NRC and identify specific skills I needed to obtain a fulltime position within the organization. In my case, as an Monitoring and Evaluation Talent Development Candidate , I also had a chance to work with a wide array of experienced Monitoring and Evaluation professionals, and to learn from the best of the best. Because of this, by the time I interviewed for the Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator position, 8 months into the program, I already had the necessary knowledge and skills to ace the interview and obtain the position.

Why should people apply?

I encourage everybody to apply, especially those from other sectors who want to kick-start their career in humanitarian aid. The programme presents a great stepping-stone to do so  through gaining valuable work experience from day one and having a chance to learn from many experienced professionals and overall amazing human beings.