Looking for a job in the NGO/humanitarian sector in Nigeria? Here are some tips on how to make your application stand out.

INTRO

If you’re interested in finding employment in the NGO/humanitarian sector, we can help you find it. We’ve compiled this list of NGOs in Nigeria, who are hiring at the moment, and we’ll be updating it regularly with new opportunities to get your foot in the door. If you know any organizations that should be on this list, let us know and we’ll add them! The NGOs listed below are just some of the many organizations that are recruiting across Nigeria right now.

 

7 Tips on how to apply for an NGO/humanitarian jobs

1. Know what you’re looking for: When you’re applying for jobs, it’s important to know what you’re looking for in a position. What kind of work do you want to be doing? What skills do you want to use? What population do you want to work with? Which country is most appealing to you? Are there any countries that are not possible due to visa restrictions or other factors? These questions will help narrow down the search so that you can find your perfect job.
2. Look for roles that match your skill set: It’s natural to look at listings and think I could do this. But before submitting an application, think about whether or not the role actually matches up with your skill set and experience level. There are many different types of NGOs and humanitarian organizations, so if you see a listing for something that doesn’t seem like a good fit, move on. Remember, when someone hires you they want someone who has the right qualifications for the role.
3. Research organizations and projects: One way to narrow down which organizations might have an open position suitable for you is by researching them online. Find out what their goals are, what populations they serve, and how long they’ve been around. If you still don’t know which organization is the best fit for you, take a look at their website for information on employment opportunities or reach out to them via email.
4. Follow Up With Organizations That Interest You: Many people apply for humanitarian jobs without following up with the organization. However, following up tells the employer that you are interested in working for them and gives them an opportunity to tell you more about the role or offer additional advice on how to make your application stand out.
5. Make sure your resume meets their requirements: Before you send off an application, double-check that all the information on your resume is accurate and meets the requirements listed in the job description. Don’t include any personal details such as marital status or age.
6. Be prepared for interviews: Most humanitarian organizations will require interviews as part of the recruitment process – prepare accordingly!
7. Check the company’s core values: When you’re interviewing, one question you should always ask is What would be a typical day in this position? Another good question to ask during an interview is What makes your company unique? For example, does the company offer any specific benefits? Has it received any awards recently? All these questions give insight into whether or not the organization may be a good fit for you.

 

The Dos

There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of being hired for an NGO or humanitarian job in Nigeria:

1. Firstly, be sure to tailor your CV and cover letter specifically to the organization you are applying to. Generic applications are often disregarded.
2. Research the organization thoroughly and be able to articulate why you want to work there during interviews.
3. Highlight any relevant experience, whether paid or volunteer, that you have in the field. 4. Keep a high level of professionalism at all times.
4. A lot of NGOs may not offer salary information until after they’ve made their decision, so if you don’t hear back from them within two weeks, follow up with them politely to see if they have any feedback or what next steps might be necessary from your end.

Also, use sites like LinkedIn and Facebook to find other members of staff that could help you with your interview preparation. You should also consider joining or starting a professional networking group such as IIED-NGO Fellowship Programme – this is an excellent way to get updated information about jobs in the sector. Finally, don’t forget about locally based NGOs – while they might not pay as well as international organizations, it’s worth contacting them too because these jobs usually come with higher levels of responsibility earlier on in one’s career! And lastly, remember that just because the organizations will require references from your previous employer doesn’t mean you need to quit your current job in order to apply for another position. Your reference will only be contacted when offered a job by the company – so if nothing else pans out, go back to work and keep looking!

 

The Don’ts

When applying for jobs in the NGO/humanitarian sector in Nigeria, avoid:

1. Applying for positions you’re not qualified for: Tailor your applications and include only relevant information.
2. Applying too late or too early: Find out the deadline and make sure your application arrives well in advance. If the deadline is close, get in touch with the organisation and tell them that you’ll submit an application as soon as possible.
3. Writing about how passionate you are about their work: Showing passion is good but don’t exaggerate or try to fake it.
4. Not telling them what they can do for you: Make it clear why you want to work with them – what skills do they have that will help you achieve your goals? What knowledge would you gain from working there? What opportunities would this present for your career? What impact could this opportunity have on your life or others’ lives? How does this align with your values? Why should they hire you over other applicants? The Do’s: Include specific examples of how your skills would be beneficial to the organisation and use the following three sentences when talking about yourself: I am excited by the prospect of making an impactful contribution. This opportunity will allow me to put my skills into practice. I am enthusiastic about leveraging my strengths at this organization. I believe I would make a valuable addition to the team. My qualifications and experience make me uniquely suited for this position.