Working for environmental NGOs and charitable organisations

Work for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and charitable organisations and positions in the not-for-profit sector generally are not highly paid. Nevertheless, it is often difficult to break into this field as a lot of graduates feel strongly that some things are more valuable than money and apply in large numbers to work in these organisations. This means that entry for a new graduate can be difficult.

Most jobs stipulate that you need experience to apply, but you cannot get the experience until you have had a job! The answer is often to work as a volunteer or an intern to gain experience, or you could transfer from another sector if you have suitable skills. If you have a year or two of experience under your belt, and particularly if you have an appropriate foreign language, the competition may not be so fierce. 

Useful organisations

There are hundreds of NGOs and related organisations concerned with the environment. These are some of the bigger ones. 

• CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) believes that all human beings have a right to dignity and respect, and that the world’s resources are a gift to be shared equally by all. It promotes long-term development and responds to emergencies.
• Friends of the Earth seeks to influence policy and practice in order to find solutions to environmental problems and improve life for people. It has over 200 local and 70 international groups.
• Greenpeace aims to contribute to and be part of an important programme of work to stop climate change, save the ancient forests, and protect the world’s oceans, earth and sky.
• Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is the UK government’s wildlife adviser, undertaking conservation work on behalf of English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales. It provides advice, establishes monitoring standards and commissions and supports research.
• Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) sends volunteers around the world to give medical assistance to people who would otherwise be denied access to even the most basic healthcare. Every year, around 2,500 medical professionals join local staff to help populations in danger.
• OXFAM works with others to find lasting solutions to poverty and suffering. It employs over 6,000 people across a wide range of jobs, in 80 countries around the world.
• Save the Children believes that all children are equal and have human rights. It carries out both long-term development and emergency relief programmes and campaigns for change, lobbying governments and the international community.
• Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) works in response to requests from governments and community organisations throughout Asia and Africa. Volunteers have two-year postings during which they pass on their expertise to local people so that their skills remain after they return home.
• WWF works in partnerships with governments, businesses, other organisations, local populations and society as a whole to help to alleviate poverty and conserve the renewable, life-sustaining resources of the planet.