Although a majority of people typically imagine field staff working in far-flung lands, assisting the poor and needy, the work at NGOs actually comes in many different shapes and sizes. Of course, there are some people whose jobs are out in the field assisting hand-on with local communities, but there are also many people needed to keep background operations running smoothly and finding the necessary funding to keep the efforts of the organisation moving. In some ways, particularly in larger organisations, they run similar to a business but with an eye to fulfilling a particular mission rather than maximising profits for stockholders. All kinds of skills are needed to keep these organisations going, just like at for-profit companies. So even if you didn’t study epidemiology at university, the good news is that you can still make a difference working at an NGO using the skill set you have been trained for.
Because an NGO doesn’t exist to turn a profit, funding for NGOs typically comes from private donors, development agencies and development banks, government grants, and in some cases, the private sector. Ideally, an organisation will diversify its funding sources and avoid relying too heavily on just one in order to maximise capacity to reach funding goals. Unfortunately, dips in individual giving, budget cuts to development agencies and banks, and changes in private sector donations can all add up. Some NGOs also refuse to accept funds from government or the private sector to avoid potential conflicts of interest to focus on fulfilling their mission. While this can in a sense “free” an organisation to do what it sees fit to address its mission, this can also limit funding. Smaller NGOs may feel the pinch more readily than larger ones and this can all translate to more moderate salaries or relying on short-term contracts instead of hiring full time staff. In harder times, this could even mean layoffs. If you are entering the NGO field, be aware that some organisations may be more vulnerable than others to funding challenges.
An issue related to the almost constant limited funding is burnout among development personnel at various NGOs. Trying to operate at the same level with less money is bound to stretch the organisation and its people. Daily stresses can overwork and weigh down even the best-intentioned workers. It’s important for an organisation to not only work towards helping their beneficiaries, but also create a positive work environment for those employed inside the organisation. This is particularly important for NGOs that deal with humanitarian crises. The prolonged stress of harsh situations and witnessing human suffering on a large scale can lead to depression and even post-traumatic stress disorder in many aid workers. Happy and healthy staff are more effective and can better serve an organisation’s constituencies to precautions must be placed and carefully monitored.
Despite the challenges and daily stresses of working at an NGO, many staff members of these organisations do find intense job satisfaction in their work and cannot imagine working anywhere else. They are the first to acknowledge the many pitfalls of working at an NGO, yet they still find their work extremely important and worthwhile to dedicate their time and effort. It is very likely that should you choose to pursue a career in non-profit work, you will find the same to be true.
