In an increasingly interconnected and globalized world, international cooperation and work in Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have become essential to address the social, environmental and humanitarian challenges we face today. If you are interested in making a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable people and communities, getting involved in the field of NGOs or international cooperation may be the ideal way to achieve that goal.
In this context, it is very common to assume that everyone who works in an organization of this type does so voluntarily and without receiving any compensation. However, these entities also have professionals and salaried people.
"Although the specific conditions will depend on each organization, it is possible to highlight a series of basic requirements that you will have to meet to work in an international NGO," explains the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on its website. Among these requirements, soft skills such as commitment and an open mind stand out.
“An international NGO, as in other companies, has its mission, vision and values well defined. If you have decided to work in an NGO, you should know the philosophy that inspires the actions of that NGO and check if it is consistent with your way of thinking and feeling. This coherence will give birth to your commitment to the work you do and will feed your motivation, ”says the organization.
In addition, working in this sector means interacting with people from all over the world. “You must always keep an open mind, be willing to learn and respect all the diversity you meet. In some cases you will have to face complicated situations and you should always maintain a dialogical, sensitive mentality and be willing to listen, ”adds UNHCR on his website.
However, international cooperation work requires much more than good intentions and an open mind. To effectively contribute to positive change and achieve a significant impact, it is essential to have a solid training that allows you to acquire the skills, knowledge and competencies necessary to face the complex and diverse challenges that this experience implies.
Typically, organizations in this sector ask to know languages (such as English or French) and to have specialized technical knowledge (for example, a university degree). This training depends on the NGO: profiles from the psychological or communication area can be requested, to personnel from more scientific and technological fields.
Beyond soft skills and technical knowledge, there are specialized training that can help us get a job in this field.
The MBA Master in Management of Non-Profit Entities, taught by Euroinnova International Online Education, is aimed at professionals who are interested in the international cooperation sector. The training helps to have an overview of all the legal, fiscal and administrative aspects that affect the daily management of non-profit social entities, as well as to learn coaching and executive leadership techniques associated with this type of foundation. .
For its part, the Master in International Cooperation and Human Development of the Inesem Business School offers the necessary training to design and execute plans and strategies focused on human development projects. The study plan is organized so that students learn topics such as local development or association management.
The Master in International Cooperation Project Management of the International School of Project Management (EIGP) provides professional training in this sector to ensure that the socio-ethical-organizational commitment reaches the necessary standards in the realization of international projects. The training is online and has a specialized tutor who accompanies the students throughout the program.
