Job for Relief and Development Department at foreign mission and at headquarters in Prague

Country Director is the head of individual foreign missions and is responsible for strategy and management. Country Director is responsible for the supervision and development of programs; he supervises financial management and represents the mission in relation to media, donors, partners and the general public. Country Director is usually also responsible for the security of the mission as a whole. He also oversees compliance with safety rules and deals with potential crisis situations. In the case of missions with aggravated security situations (e.g. Afghanistan, Syria), the Security Manager is also present as part of the mission.

The Financial Manager is usually number two in the mission. He takes care of the financial aspects and provides his colleagues with financial services. Financial Manager is responsible for economic activities as a whole as well as for accordance between financial and administrative processes of missions with internal rules and the rules of institutional donors. In cooperation with managers of individual programmes, he prepares budgets, oversees their fulfilment and prepares financial reports. Additionally, he is responsible for the quality of accounting and oversees conformity of our work, in particular in countries with its legal framework. Financial Manager can also hold the position of administrator and, in some cases, also of logistician. These positions are separated in bigger foreign missions. The Logistician is typically in charge of operational and administrational issues (e.g. provision of material, ensuring of transportation), and takes care of technical aspects of missions, including offices and IT.

The Programme Managers takes care of particular programmes. The Programme Manager is in charge of one or more projects in particular sectors. If he is responsible for more projects, then these are usually directed by the Project Managers and, in such a case, the Programme Manager is superior to them. People in Need works in 5 sectors:

• Emergency Response & Recovery;
• Resilience and Nutrition Security;
• Social Protection & Inclusion;
• Sustainable Consumption & Production;
• Education & Civic Engagement.

Most of the above-mentioned positions are occupied by Czech and foreign employees, except those of Project Managers, as they are usually handled by local employees. Other positions in program and project teams, financial team, in administration, logistics etc. are in the hands of local employees.

The working language is generally English but in some cases can be Russian, French or Portuguese. Considering that most forms of communication and work materials are in English, its perfect knowledge is an essential component for working in the Relief and Development Department of People in Need.

Every mission is linked to our headquarters in Prague via the so called Desk. Desk in Prague is represented by our Desk Officer, Support Desk Officer, Finance Desk Officer and Accountant. 

TheDesk officer is the partner of Country Director and together they cooperate on managing missions in terms of programme, and the Desk Officer also supports missions with administrative and legal oversight as well as with services. He is accompanied by the Support Desk Officer, who takes care of the administrative support and is further devoted to another area of support according to his capabilities and experience. The position of Support Desk Officeris considered a junior position and its purpose is – amongst others – to get familiar with work in the field of humanitarian aid and development assistance from the point of view of the headquarters of the organization.

Finance desk officer is the partner of the Financial Manager (financial position at the mission) in the field of the financial management of missions and the projects. He provides methodical leadership and support during the setting up of processes, budgeting, the preparation of financial reports and audits.

Accountantof mission is also a partner of the Financial Manager, in the field of accountancy and the quality of its documentation. He provides methodical support and checks on the financial part of the mission.

Besides theDesk, all the missions are supported by the following departments and consultants from the headquarters in Prague:

• HR,
• Logistics and procurement,
• Rozvojovka – Development awareness,
• Media,
• Finance and accountancy,
• Fundraising,
• Legal,
• IT,
• Compliance and internal audit,
• Consultant for security,
• Learning and Knowledge Department with its sector and programme consultants.

People in Need very often looks for colleagues for these units as well as for the Desk. One of the conditions for getting a job at the headquarters is having a perfect knowledge of the English language as well as a willingness to travel into areas of our foreign missions.

We expect:

• Sector analysis and experience with writing and the supervision of projects (optimally in the field of humanitarian aid and development assistance) and/or experience with logistics, finances, etc.
• Experience with people management, strategic planning, and control of spending
• Perfect knowledge of English, possibly knowledge of other foreign languages (Russian, French, Portuguese)
• Ability to function in difficult conditions and to handle difficult situations
• Inter-cultural sensitivity;that is, an ability to admit that our point of view is just one of many others and not the only one that is right
• Personal maturity in terms of thinking and behaviour, honesty and trustworthiness and accepting personal responsibility for work and for other colleagues

We offer:

• Interesting life experience
• Work abroad, in culturally different environments where people very often find themselves in the centre of important international events
• Strongly motivational job that makes sense and that gives you the opportunity to observe the fruits of your effort when helping others
• Opportunity to participate in changes that People in Need, and especially its Relief and Development Department experiences, owing to the fact that it is a relatively new, dynamic, fast growing and changing NGO
• Entrusting a big portion of responsibility that gives you a great opportunity for professional self-realization and a notion of fulfilment

If you are a university student and you are considering working at foreign mission in the future, you can start, for example, with unpaid internships at the headquarters in Prague. This will provide you with a chance to peek inside the area of humanitarian aid and development assistance and, at the same time, to get your first work experience in this field.

Besides students of development studies, we are accepting students of agriculture, economics, etc. The work of interns is not just about projects themselves but also about financial management, logistics, HR, PR, or expert unit of the projects. Research, text editing, editing of webpages, translations, writing of final reports and working with data for these reports are activities that are usually handled by interns.

A strong motivation, a proactive approach and very good knowledge of English is expected. A knowledge of other languages (such as Russian, French, Portuguese etc.) as well as experience working in developing countries are welcomed. Knowledge of double-entry bookkeeping, accounting programs or financial management of NGO’s is welcomed in the case of internships in our Financial unit.

Internships are usually 7 – 10 hours a week and are scheduled for at least six months – we prefer a long-term and systematic cooperation. Offering internship is one of our tools for recruiting new employees.

In compliance with internal rules, it is possible to absolve short-term (min. 3 months and max. 1 year) internships at foreign mission after completing an internship at the headquarters in Prague. PIN can bear part of the expenses; nevertheless, internships are usually unpaid. PIN can take care of the expenses of insurance, entrance health check-up, vaccination or flight tickets as well as accommodations. All other expenses related to the internship at the foreign mission are paid by intern himself (alternatively, they can be financed through University grants, grants of Erasmus and Socrates program etc.). Detail conditions of the internship are always dealt with on an individual basis. Its extent is also dependent on the capacity, needs and resources of the particular mission.

How to apply

• Sign up for the open competition of currently open positions

All positions open to interns can be found here in the overview of all currently open positions. Unpaid internships are determined in the column “position”. Internships at the headquarters in Prague can be found in the section “Czech Republic”. Volunteer positions at foreign missions are located in the section “Worldwide”.

You can enter selection process by sending your structured CV and motivational letter/personal statement to the contact information mentioned in the vacancy.

Regular open competition is handled in several steps:

- CVs selection

- interviews that examine the motivation, predisposition for given position and more (part of this step can also involve working out tests)

Only candidates who pass the CV selection will be contacted to participate in the first round of interviews.

Did you not find a suitable position? Send us your CV and motivational letter/personal statement to HR@clovekvtisni.cz. Please bear in mind that our primary focus is on filling currently open positions for internships. Thereby we apologize in advance if we react to your email with delay. We will contact you in order to set up date of interview if you are selected based on your CV.

• Participate in an Assessment Centre

Two-day Assessment Centre (AC), is a selection method where participants, individually or in groups, deal with model situations and tasks that are focused on examining predisposition for work at foreign missions. After completing the AC, all participants are provided with feedback that includes their performance assessment, observed strengths and weaknesses, and in some instances participants are recommended opportunities for their future progress or development.

Such Assessment Centre is usually organized once a year in the fall – for more information please check this page at the end of August or during the month of September.

If you are selected and offered an internship, we will invite you for an interview with our intern coordinator who will introduce you to PIN and your new colleagues, and will set up the details of your internship.

If you are a university graduate and are considering the career of a humanitarian/development worker, you can start working at one of the junior positions at the headquarters in Prague or as a volunteer abroad. This will give you an opportunity to get acquainted with the work in this field and to gain new practical experiences.  

Apart from graduates who received their degrees in development studies, we also welcome applications from graduates of other disciplines, including agriculture and economics. The work in the Relief and Development Department does not merely include programmatic work, but also involves financial management, logistics, PR and HR.

A strong motivation, a proactive approach and very good knowledge of English is expected. A knowledge of other languages (such as Russian, French, Portuguese etc.) as well as experience working in developing countries are welcomed.

Paid positions at the headquarters in Prague, which are mostly positions for junior applicants, are usually “support positions”; a typical position is, for example, Support Desk Officer, who supports a specific mission from the headquarters. For these types of employment, a regular employment contract with all legal attributes is signed.

If you are interested in working abroad at foreign mission, it is a general rule that junior workers going on a mission for the first time be offered a volunteering position as a part of the People in Need Volunteers (PIN V) initiative. In this case, a volunteering service performance contract is signed. As part of this contract, all travel expenses are covered (visa, immunization, travel insurance, etc.) and a volunteer is also provided with an accommodation and financial allowances. We usually deploy volunteers for a period of 6 to 12 months. If you are sent to a foreign mission for one year (or longer), you will receive a travel ticket from the mission to the Czech Republic every 6 months (or an equivalent travel ticket).

People in Need is keen on continuing the cooperation in a case of a mutual satisfaction, and whether there is an open and suitable vacancy. In that case, People in Need will aim to offer an employment contract after completing the volunteering work. 

In the future, it will also be possible to work on an international mission as part of the EU Aid Volunteers initiative. You can find more information here.

How to apply

• Sign up for the open competition of currently open positions

All positions open to interns can be found here in the overview of all currently open positions. Paid junior positions at the headquarters in Prague can be found in section “Czech Republic”. Volunteer positions at foreign missions are located in the section “Worldwide”. Volunteer positions are determined in the column “position”.

You can enter selection process by sending your structured CV and motivational letter/personal statement to the contact information mentioned in the vacancy.

Regular open competition is handled in several steps:

- CVs selection

- first round of interviews, second round of interviews, practical part of the selection process, if applicable

- psycho-diagnostic tests and reference checking

- final interview with the management

Only candidates who pass the CV selection will be contacted to participate in the first round of interviews.

Did you not find a suitable position? Send us your CV and motivational letter/personal statement to HR@clovekvtisni.cz. Please bear in mind that our primary focus is on filling currently open positions for internships. Thereby we apologize in advance if we react to your email with delay. We will contact you in order to set up date of interview if you are selected based on your CV.

• Participate in an Assessment Centre

Two-day Assessment Centre (AC), is a selection method where participants, individually or in groups, deal with model situations and tasks that are focused on examining predisposition for work at foreign missions. After completing the AC, all participants are provided with feedback that includes their performance assessment, observed strengths and weaknesses, and in some instances participants are recommended opportunities for their future progress or development.

Such Assessment Centre is usually organized once a year in the fall – for more information please check this page at the end of August or during the month of September.

If you have successfully completed one of our selection processes and have been offered an employment or a volunteer position, you will be invited to a personal meeting with a HR officer in order to sort out all administrative necessities, and to receive a mandatory training. Such training will take part at the headquarter in Prague and will last approximately 10 days. The training aims to thoroughly introduce you to the work of People in Need, conveying its main principles and ordinary work procedures, and to introduce the new employee to co-workers.

I’m a humanitarian/development worker and having already gained experiences I would like to join People in Need 

If you already are an experienced humanitarian/development worker and are considering an employment in our organization, we are very pleased.

Senior and professional positions, which are written out in a regular employee mode, are especially targeting people like you. This mode allows for an employment contract, which you will sign, and which is in accordance with the Czech Labour Law. Working on a mission abroad, an employee is entitled to a previously negotiated salary, diets and 5 weeks of holidays per year. All costs connected to deployment at a mission (visa, immunization, travel insurance, etc.) and accommodations are, of course, covered. We are sending employees away on a mission for the standard period of 18 – 24 months, during which each employee is entitled to a return ticket from a mission to the Czech Republic after every 6 months of work (or an equivalent travel ticket).

How to apply

• Sign up for the open competition of currently open positions

All vacant positions can be found here in the overview of all currently open positions. Paid positions are determined in the column “position”.

You can enter selection process by sending your structured CV and motivational letter/personal statement to the contact information mentioned in the vacancy.

Regular open competition is handled in several steps:

- CVs selection

- first round of interviews, second round of interviews, practical part of the selection process, if applicable

- psycho-diagnostic tests and reference checking

- final interview with the management

Only candidates who pass the CV selection will be contacted to participate in the first round of interviews.

Did you not find a suitable position? Send us your CV and motivational letter/personal statement to HR@clovekvtisni.cz. Please bear in mind that our primary focus is on filling currently open positions for internships. Thereby we apologize in advance if we react to your email with delay. We will contact you in order to set up date of interview if you are selected based on your CV.

• Participate in an Assessment Centre

Two-day Assessment Centre (AC), is a selection method where participants, individually or in groups, deal with model situations and tasks that are focused on examining predisposition for work at foreign missions. After completing the AC, all participants are provided with feedback that includes their performance assessment, observed strengths and weaknesses, and in some instances participants are recommended opportunities for their future progress or development.

Such Assessment Centre is usually organized once a year in the fall – for more information please check this page at the end of August or during the month of September.

If you have successfully completed one of our selection processes and have been offered an employment, you will be invited to a personal meeting with a HR officer in order to sort out all administrative necessities, and to receive a mandatory training. Such training will take part at the headquarter in Prague and will last approximately 10 days. The training aims to thoroughly introduce you to the work of People in Need, conveying its main principles and ordinary work procedures, and to introduce the new employee to co-workers.

If you are a professional of a different area of expertise, who has decided to change his life, and would like to apply your gained experiences while working for us, we are honoured. We believe that mutual cooperation can be a great asset for both sides. The work in our sector tends to motivate people; it is a job that gives meaning, allowing for the sense of professional self-realization and a feeling of work fulfilment. 

We are looking for people with management experiences and, in particular, with experiences with strategic planning; we also seek persons who have experiences with leadership and project management, financial management, security management, logistics, PR, HR, etc.

The work in the area of humanitarian aid and development assistance requires English proficiency (the knowledge of other languages, including Russian, French, Portuguese, etc. is an advantage), a willingness to travel, a readiness to function under hard conditions, openness, flexibility, ability to adapt to current situation, and an inter-cultural sensitivity. Experiences in developing countries are welcomed.

Senior and professional positions are written out in a regular employee scheme that allows for an employment contract, which you will sign, and which is in accordance with the Czech Labour Law. For the job abroad, an employee is entitled to a previously negotiated salary, diets and 5 weeks of holidays per year. Naturally, all costs connected to deployment (visa, immunization, travel insurance, etc.) and accommodations are covered. We are sending employees away on a mission for the standard period of 18 – 24 months, during which each employee is entitled to a return ticket from a mission to the Czech Republic after every 6 months of work (or an equivalent travel ticket).

In the future, it will be possible to go abroad as part of a European initiative called EU Aid Volunteers (an initiative that will be suitable for experienced applicants, there will be no without upper age limit). You can find more information about the programme here.

How to apply

• Sign up for the open competition of currently open positions

All vacant positions can be found here in the overview of all currently open positions. If it is not a paid position, it will be explicitly stated in the column “position”.

You can enter selection process by sending your structured CV and motivational letter/personal statement to the contact information mentioned in the vacancy.

Regular open competition is handled in several steps:

- CVs selection

- first round of interviews, second round of interviews, practical part of the selection process, if applicable

- psycho-diagnostic tests and reference checking

- final interview with the management

Only candidates who pass the CV selection will be contacted to participate in the first round of interviews.

Did you not find a suitable position? Send us your CV and motivational letter/personal statement to HR@clovekvtisni.cz. Please bear in mind that our primary focus is on filling currently open positions for internships. Thereby we apologize in advance if we react to your email with delay. We will contact you in order to set up date of interview if you are selected based on your CV. 

• Participate in an Assessment Centre

Two-day Assessment Centre (AC), is a selection method where participants, individually or in groups, deal with model situations and tasks that are focused on examining predisposition for work at foreign missions. After completing the AC, all participants are provided with feedback that includes their performance assessment, observed strengths and weaknesses, and in some instances participants are recommended opportunities for their future progress or development.

Such Assessment Centre is usually organized once a year in the fall – for more information please check this page at the end of August or during the month of September.

If you have successfully completed one of our selection processes and have been offered an employment, you will be invited to a personal meeting with a HR officer in order to sort out all administrative necessities, and to receive a mandatory training. Such training will take part at the headquarter in Prague and will last approximately 10 days. The training aims to thoroughly introduce you to the work of People in Need, conveying its main principles and ordinary work procedures, and to introduce the new employee to co-workers.

1. I have long-term interest in cooperating with the Relief and Development Department, but I did not find any suitable positions for me. What should I do?

You can enrol in the continuously open competition via this form. Hereby we would like to thank you for your interest in cooperating with us. Nevertheless, please bear in mind that filling currently open position is our priority and, with regard to our capacity, it might take some time until we react to your application. Invitations for interviews will be sent to those candidates whose capabilities and experience are applicable within our department. Unfortunately, we do not have enough capacity to meet every single candidate face to face. Nevertheless, this does not mean that we do not appreciate and respect your interest and experience. Thank you very much for understanding.

2. What are general requirements for candidates who want to get a job at foreign mission?

All necessary information about the general requirements and jobs at our foreign mission can be found above.

3. I don’t have enough working experience but I would like to work for the Relief and Development Department as an intern or volunteer. What are my options?

Are you a student at the university considering work in foreign mission in the future? You could, for example, begin as an unpaid intern at the headquarters in Prague. For more information please see above.

Are you a university graduate thinking about pursuing a career in humanitarian/development operatives? You can start as a volunteer at our foreign missions or in one of our junior positions at the headquarters in Prague. For more information on the options for cooperation please see above.

4. I would like to make use of an internship in Relief and Development Department as part of my studies’ practice. Is it possible?

Internships in the Relief and Development Department are our tool for developing new employees. This is why we care about the motivation of potential candidates for long-term cooperation. All currently open positions and more information about them can be found here in the overview of all our vacancies.

5. I’m looking for a short-term part-time job. What are my options in the Relief and Development Department?

Our fundraising unit usually offers part-time jobs during the summer. It usually involves approaching potential new donors on the street (so called “direct dialogue”). From time to time, our finance and accountancy unit is also in need of part-time workers. All part-time job positions and more information about them can be found here in the overview of all our currently available positions.

6. I really feel like helping but I have been refused before. Why are motivation and eagerness not enough?

Firstly we would like to emphasize that we appreciate everyone who cares about the world around her-/himself and wants to help improve of the socio-economic situation of other people.

The reason behind our requirements for employment (click here for the complete list of currently open positions) in our organization is rather unambiguous. Projects are implemented from public financial funds, and it is our obligation to pursue quality and professional jobs that will have real positive impacts in particular countries. Hence, we need colleagues who already have experience in this field, having worked at culturally different environment and non-standard conditions included. People in Need often works in regions with specific requirements – very different culture, deteriorated security, lack of infrastructure etc. In that case, we do not have the space for compromises and we cannot dispatch people without experience. These conditions are laid down by the nature of the work itself same as for example by our donors etc.

The second reason behind the careful selection employees for foreign missions is that People in Need (PIN) endeavours the strategy of non-replacement of local employees, particularly in areas where local employees can do the job themselves – very often due to their knowledge of the environment – in better quality than the Czech and other foreign employees might able to do. Local employees are an irreplaceable part of the team because of their knowledge of the local context and environment. This is why they constitute up to 90 % of all employees in foreign mission.

On the other hand, we bear in mind that everyone has to get a chance to gain these experiences, which is why we create positions for interns and volunteers both at the headquarters in Prague and in chosen foreign missions. More information about internships and requirements for volunteers can be found above.

7. After a natural disaster abroad, I wanted to travel and help with anything – clearing the site from ruins, distribution of food and water. Why does People in Need (PIN) not send anybody willing to help to affected areas?

Situations after earthquakes or typhoon are usually very chaotic, disorganized and very often continues to be dangerous. During the first phase after disaster, PIN dispatches only highly experienced professionals who devote their time to the exploration of needs in the area, begin coordinate particular help and set up a new team or even a new office. The activities themselves, such as the distribution or clearing the site from ruins, are primarily handled by local citizens. They often lose their own means and ways of living; the thing they need the most at such a moment is to get back to normal life as fast as possible. Getting them involved in the restoration of damages, e.g. via cash for work system, or employing them is much more profitable for them than just the passive acceptance of aid.