Lingo Africa, the foremost human capital development platform in Abuja, Nigeria, had the honor of speaking to a head hunter who works in one of the top NGOs in the country and he told us that a lot of the time, human resources personnel go through hundreds if not thousands of resumes from new applicants after they post available positions on online job boards.

This, he says happens on a daily basis. However, he admitted that 99 times out of a hundred, a lot of NGOs fill available positions internally. What this means is that they end up giving the available positions to those who are already working with them in another capacity instead of new applicants.

This made us understand why we have received feedback from a lot of our followers, asking why NGOs never seem to hire them even if they send in applications all year long. That being said, we asked him how new applicants can actually get to work with NGOs as there are so many young, talented professionals who would want to deploy their skills in social development.

He said the only way was to start from the bottom. According to him, there are always available spaces for volunteers, who will work for NGOs, using their skills to offer solutions and at the end of the day, when the same NGO is looking to hire for a less temporary position, the volunteers are usually the first port of call. So, it is advised that new applicants first apply as volunteers to gain entry into NGOs.

He added that a lot of new applicants must realize that jobs at NGOs are only as permanent as the funding they receive. “It is good for people to know that NGOs are executors of projects involving people and situations and roles are only open for as long as the NGOs are able to get funding, it is the reason why grant writers are very important in any NGO because they hold the responsibility of convincing funders to give money to the NGOs, so they can execute projects in communities they have interests in.”

Dear new applicants, if you are interested in working in an NGO, you should try to volunteer for one. Kindly note that experience in volunteering for an NGO varies. Some NGOs will pay a stipend, others will not. It is good, however, that you focus on your goal, which is to ensure that you get a less temporary role within the NGO.

A client of ours landed a volunteer position at an NGO last year. She was reluctant to take it because they weren’t paying a stipend but later did based on our recommendations. After working three times a week for three months for free, she received a job offer and still works there as the project she is working on will run for three years. So, you see, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The only thing constant when it comes to achieving your set goals is a compromise. What if she had gone ahead to reject the volunteer position? She would have still been on the lookout for an NGO job right now. Please, note that sometimes even after volunteering, the NGO may not offer you a job, but guess what? You have great experience and you can use that to apply for jobs at another NGO.

Say, for instance, you volunteered with the United Nations for a year and you did not get any job. You can apply to other NGOs or INGOs like the Red Cross, Society for Family Health, Action Aid, etc and if they see you have worked with the UN with measurable results, why shouldn’t they hire you?

Yes, internal candidates stand more chance than new applicants, however, the UN is like the holy grail of social development work, anyone will want to hire people who have great work experience from them. Lesson? Do not pass up volunteer jobs, especially from International NGOs!

As usual, relevant links are contained in the Source - https://lingoafrica.com/new-applicants-who-need-ngo-jobs-should-read-this/

Lingo Africa.

AbdulAkpan:
Lingo Africa, the foremost human capital development platform in Abuja, Nigeria, had the honor of speaking to a head hunter who works in one of the top NGOs in the country and he told us that a lot of the time, human resources personnel go through hundreds if not thousands of resumes from new applicants after they post available positions on online job boards.

This, he says happens on a daily basis. However, he admitted that 99 times out of a hundred, a lot of NGOs fill available positions internally. What this means is that they end up giving the available positions to those who are already working with them in another capacity instead of new applicants.

This made us understand why we have received feedback from a lot of our followers, asking why NGOs never seem to hire them even if they send in applications all year long. That being said, we asked him how new applicants can actually get to work with NGOs as there are so many young, talented professionals who would want to deploy their skills in social development.

He said the only way was to start from the bottom. According to him, there are always available spaces for volunteers, who will work for NGOs, using their skills to offer solutions and at the end of the day, when the same NGO is looking to hire for a less temporary position, the volunteers are usually the first port of call. So, it is advised that new applicants first apply as volunteers to gain entry into NGOs.

He added that a lot of new applicants must realize that jobs at NGOs are only as permanent as the funding they receive. “It is good for people to know that NGOs are executors of projects involving people and situations and roles are only open for as long as the NGOs are able to get funding, it is the reason why grant writers are very important in any NGO because they hold the responsibility of convincing funders to give money to the NGOs, so they can execute projects in communities they have interests in.”

Dear new applicants, if you are interested in working in an NGO, you should try to volunteer for one. Kindly note that experience in volunteering for an NGO varies. Some NGOs will pay a stipend, others will not. It is good, however, that you focus on your goal, which is to ensure that you get a less temporary role within the NGO.

A client of ours landed a volunteer position at an NGO last year. She was reluctant to take it because they weren’t paying a stipend but later did based on our recommendations. After working three times a week for three months for free, she received a job offer and still works there as the project she is working on will run for three years. So, you see, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The only thing constant when it comes to achieving your set goals is a compromise. What if she had gone ahead to reject the volunteer position? She would have still been on the lookout for an NGO job right now. Please, note that sometimes even after volunteering, the NGO may not offer you a job, but guess what? You have great experience and you can use that to apply for jobs at another NGO.

Say, for instance, you volunteered with the United Nations for a year and you did not get any job. You can apply to other NGOs or INGOs like the Red Cross, Society for Family Health, Action Aid, etc and if they see you have worked with the UN with measurable results, why shouldn’t they hire you?

Yes, internal candidates stand more chance than new applicants, however, the UN is like the holy grail of social development work, anyone will want to hire people who have great work experience from them. Lesson? Do not pass up volunteer jobs, especially from International NGOs!

As usual, relevant links are contained in the Source - https://lingoafrica.com/new-applicants-who-need-ngo-jobs-should-read-this/

Lingo Africa.

I have applied severally as volunteer but still not call upon.

emmyzy19:
I have applied severally as volunteer but still not call upon.

This is also my problem. I have applied as a volunteer, even tried interning. But still not called.

Girlbestfriend:


This is also my problem. I have applied as a volunteer, even tried interning. But still not called.

If you have applied as a volunteer and did not get any response, try this;

1. Package your CV and write a good cover letter to all major NGOs that interest you in your city. In the letter, talk about your professional achievements and what you are skilled at. NGOs lookout for some specific set of skills, if you want to know more, read this; https://lingoafrica.com/six-courses-to-take-to-aid-your-ngo-job-search/

2. Address your letter to the Head of Human Resources in that NGO (check their website, you will see the person's name), if not it will be discarded by people who have their own agenda.

3. Drop it at their office. You can also use NIPOST for this.

Trust that one of them will invite you to interview as a volunteer. When they do, accept it.

If you need a cover letter sample, I can provide a generic one on this page or Lingo Africa can prepare an exclusive one for you based on your work experiences and skills for a small fee, just indicate.

Girlbestfriend:


This is also my problem. I have applied as a volunteer, even tried interning. But still not called.

Most NGOs have a budget for the stipend of their volunteers, hence, don't just accept volunteers anyhow. There should be something you want to offer as a volunteer and not just to come get the experience.
I was good with computers, so I volunteered to work as a data entry assistant in a state level NGO, while on it, I put eyes in other program areas like M&E, Proposal writing, and guess what, within 6 months, I was made an M&E Officer for one big project like that.
With that experience, I applied for a job in a bigger NGO and got it. From there, I have worked with other bigger international and indigiounous NGOs.
Today, my salary is unimaginable and most of my friends envy me but I have tried to link them to volunteer but after a month or less, they will drop because of the little stipend they get.
They want to earn like me but they don't want to start like me

Npower:

Most NGOs have a budget for the stipend of their volunteers, hence, don't just accept volunteers anyhow. There should be something you want to offer as a volunteer and not just to come get the experience.
I was good with computers, so I volunteered to work as a data entry assistant in a state level NGO, while on it, I put eyes in other program areas like M&E, Proposal writing, and guess what, within 6 months, I was made an M&E Officer for one big project like that.
With that experience, I applied for a job in a bigger NGO and got it. From there, I have worked with other bigger international and indigiounous NGOs.
Today, my salary is unimaginable and most of my friends envy me but I have tried to link them to volunteer but after a month or less, they will drop because of the little stipend they get.
They want to earn like me but they don't want to start like me

Good day, please I don't mind if you can help link me up with an NGO too.

I am also very good with computer so I can work as data entry assistant, plus I can relate well with people.

I base in Lagos and wouldn't mind if they can cover my transport ONLY.

Kindly respond.

Thanks.

I won’t mind if you can link me with an NGO in Lagos,thank you.

Npower:

Most NGOs have a budget for the stipend of their volunteers, hence, don't just accept volunteers anyhow. There should be something you want to offer as a volunteer and not just to come get the experience.
I was good with computers, so I volunteered to work as a data entry assistant in a state level NGO, while on it, I put eyes in other program areas like M&E, Proposal writing, and guess what, within 6 months, I was made an M&E Officer for one big project like that.
With that experience, I applied for a job in a bigger NGO and got it. From there, I have worked with other bigger international and indigiounous NGOs.
Today, my salary is unimaginable and most of my friends envy me but I have tried to link them to volunteer but after a month or less, they will drop because of the little stipend they get.
They want to earn like me but they don't want to start like me

You nailed it.

I started as a corp member. I remember my friends mocked me then that I would work round the clock and been paid stipend while they all served in big companies and organizations. During my NYSC, I gained a lot of experience in my department. though it was a local NGO.

After my NYSC, the ED retained me (All my friends went back to their different states cos they were not retained). I spent some months with the local NGO which I later got an offer with another NGO which pay 4 times what I was collecting. Presently I'm working for an international NGO with a mouth-watering offer that I can't even tell anybody.

People don't really want to start little, they want it big.

Npower:

Most NGOs have a budget for the stipend of their volunteers, hence, don't just accept volunteers anyhow. There should be something you want to offer as a volunteer and not just to come get the experience.
I was good with computers, so I volunteered to work as a data entry assistant in a state level NGO, while on it, I put eyes in other program areas like M&E, Proposal writing, and guess what, within 6 months, I was made an M&E Officer for one big project like that.
With that experience, I applied for a job in a bigger NGO and got it. From there, I have worked with other bigger international and indigiounous NGOs.
Today, my salary is unimaginable and most of my friends envy me but I have tried to link them to volunteer but after a month or less, they will drop because of the little stipend they get.
They want to earn like me but they don't want to start like me

Please can I send you a pm?

sameereinstein:

Please can I send you a pm?

You are free bro

Even with an MSC I worked as an assisstant in an NGO under a degree holder. I didn't look at the money but experience. Today my story is different.


Most Graduates don't want to start small , they want to buy a car from their first salary.

Npower:

Most NGOs have a budget for the stipend of their volunteers, hence, don't just accept volunteers anyhow. There should be something you want to offer as a volunteer and not just to come get the experience.
I was good with computers, so I volunteered to work as a data entry assistant in a state level NGO, while on it, I put eyes in other program areas like M&E, Proposal writing, and guess what, within 6 months, I was made an M&E Officer for one big project like that.
With that experience, I applied for a job in a bigger NGO and got it. From there, I have worked with other bigger international and indigiounous NGOs.
Today, my salary is unimaginable and most of my friends envy me but I have tried to link them to volunteer but after a month or less, they will drop because of the little stipend they get.
They want to earn like me but they don't want to start like me

We should talk. I'm interested in NGOs and have requisite training and some experience in some of their core operational areas (M&E, Data Analysis, Field work, Administration, etc). Care to chat? How do I reach you?

Viking007:
NGO jobs pay well but they come with risks and uncertainties. I have a friend who is working with an international NGO in Borno state earning almost 400k monthly.

So Oga, for someone who is in Borno state, this is what you call earning big? It's either the person doesn't want to tell you his salary or his is just a temporary staff (consultant). I'm a state Assistant mobilization officer in a south eastern state and that amount you mentioned is for our consultant who work 15 days a month.

Fundamentalist:
Even with an MSC I worked as an assisstant in an NGO under a degree holder. I didn't look at the money but experience. Today my story is different.


Most Graduates don't want to start small , they want to buy a car from their first salary.

While I was volunteering, they were giving me 10k a month for transport, guess what, the 10k wasn't even in the budget, the ED was just assisting my transport from other money source.
But don't be deceived, NGO is not always rosy, you could get unlucky as well because I could remember in that my first organization where I volunteered, I was the last staff to come in and the first staff to leave. There are still other staff who have been there for more than 10 years like Tacha, no leave no transfer.

Please, I also need an NGO job. Am residing in kaduna. Thanks in anticipation

I can see most of you have burning interest to volunteer, that's how it is at the initial stage (Morale high), when you are linked now, after one week, you will jekpa.
Well I don't know if dropping a link or a website is allowed in this forum I would have dropped some links to organizations chiefly known for volunteering. But you can google VSO international, you can also go to myjobmag.com, select NGOs/Non profit then in the search space, type volunteer and you would see all the current volunterring opportunities available.
I hope this helps.....

Npower:
I can see most of you have burning interest to volunteer, that's how it is at the initial stage (Morale high), when you are linked now, after one week, you will jekpa.
Well I don't know if dropping a link or a website is allowed in this forum I would have dropped some links to organizations chiefly known for volunteering. But you can google VSO international, you can also go to myjobmag.com, select NGOs/Non profit then in the search space, type volunteer and you would see all the current volunterring opportunities available.
I hope this helps.....

Thanks for the head up sir. I'm going to give this opportunity a good shot

Good morning everyone!

It is good that a lot of you have shown interest in working at NGOs, from my original post at Lingo Africa. One thing I must say is that a lot of jobs on social work has to do with working in really vulnerable locations like the Northeast, where Boko Haram is active. There are a lot of volunteer positions open in that region, but a lot of times, many people are reluctant to work there. So, ask yourself, are you ready to live and work in a vulnerable location?

Consider this before accepting volunteer jobs at NGOs. Good luck!

AbdulAkpan:
Good morning everyone!

It is good that a lot of you have shown interest in working at NGOs, from my original post at Lingo Africa. One thing I must say is that a lot of jobs on social work has to do with working in really vulnerable locations like the Northeast, where Boko Haram is active. There are a lot of volunteer positions open in that region, but a lot of times, many people are reluctant to work there. So, ask yourself, are you ready to live and work in a vulnerable location?

Consider this before accepting volunteer jobs at NGOs. Good luck!

I understand exactly what you are saying bro but don't make it look like it's only in the Northeast that one can volunteer. There are a lot of NGOs in Abuja, Lagos, in fact every state in Nigeria has no less than 5 international NGOs working in it.
Finally, I won't advise anyone to take up a volunteering role in the northeast. I have a lot of colleagues whom even with 5 million naira per month salary, they won't near north so why would anyone risk his like for a voluntary role?. Remember, life is just ONE ...
So what I'm saying is.. You can begin your volunteering role elsewhere and not necessarily in the northeast.

Npower:

I understand exactly what you are saying bro but don't make it look like it's only in the Northeast that one can volunteer. There are a lot of NGOs in Abuja, Lagos, in fact every state in Nigeria has no less than 5 international NGOs working in it.
Finally, I won't advise anyone to take up a volunteering role in the northeast. I have a lot of colleagues whom even with 5 million naira per month salary, they won't near north so why would anyone risk his like for a voluntary role?. Remember, life is just ONE ...
So what I'm saying is.. You can begin your volunteering role elsewhere and not necessarily in the northeast.

My page is not a platform for arguments please. I provide information people need to know, courtesy of Lingo Africa, a human capital development platform.

If telling people that volunteering jobs were only available in the Northeast, I would never have made the original post. I am sure the readers of my content on this page can read and so can you.

Funny thing is you ended up corroborating what I wrote earlier, which is to be cautious when it comes to accepting any NGO offer from the Northeast.

Shalom.

Npower:

I understand exactly what you are saying bro but don't make it look like it's only in the Northeast that one can volunteer. There are a lot of NGOs in Abuja, Lagos, in fact every state in Nigeria has no less than 5 international NGOs working in it.
Finally, I won't advise anyone to take up a volunteering role in the northeast. I have a lot of colleagues whom even with 5 million naira per month salary, they won't near north so why would anyone risk his like for a voluntary role?. Remember, life is just ONE ...
So what I'm saying is.. You can begin your volunteering role elsewhere and not necessarily in the northeast.

My page is not a platform for arguments please. I provide information people need to know, courtesy of Lingo Africa, a human capital development platform.

If telling people that volunteering jobs were only available in the Northeast, I would never have made the original post. I am sure the readers of my content on this page can read and so can you.

Funny thing is you ended up corroborating what I wrote earlier, which is to be cautious when it comes to accepting any NGO offer from the Northeast.

Shalom.

NigerianMan:


You nailed it.

I started as a corp member. I remember my friends mocked me then that I would work round the clock and been paid stipend while they all served in big companies and organizations. During my NYSC, I gained a lot of experience in my department. though it was a local NGO.

After my NYSC, the ED retained me (All my friends went back to their different states cos they were not retained). I spent some months with the local NGO which I later got an offer with another NGO which pay 4 times what I was collecting. Presently I'm working for an international NGO with a mouth-watering offer that I can't even tell anybody.

People don't really want to start little, they want it big.

Please can I get your digit. I want you to put me through. I'm still an undergraduate in the University of Benin

Npower:

So Oga, for someone who is in Borno state, this is what you call earning big? It's either the person doesn't want to tell you his salary or his is just a temporary staff (consultant). I'm a state Assistant mobilization officer in a south eastern state and that amount you mentioned is for our consultant who work 15 days a month.

Please Can I get your number? This is my field of study and I'll like you to guide me. Thanks

Hmm

Viking007:
NGO jobs pay well but they come with risks and uncertainties. I have a friend who is working with an international NGO in Borno state earning almost 400k monthly.

400k in Borno? Your friend must be an assistant/ Officer II

NigerianMan:

400k in Borno? Your friend must be an assistant/ Officer II

Do u know their Salary range??

Npower:
I can see most of you have burning interest to volunteer, that's how it is at the initial stage (Morale high), when you are linked now, after one week, you will jekpa.
Well I don't know if dropping a link or a website is allowed in this forum I would have dropped some links to organizations chiefly known for volunteering. But you can google VSO international, you can also go to myjobmag.com, select NGOs/Non profit then in the search space, type volunteer and you would see all the current volunterring opportunities available.
I hope this helps.....

Have worked as a volunteer at WHO 2years back, please kindly link me to any available NGO job..