Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Ethiopia play a big role in health, education, development, human rights, and emergency support. Many people are interested in working for NGOs, as it is acceptable and lovable in religion and also to parents, especially in Addis Ababa, where most NGOs have offices. If you’re one of them, this guide I have mentioned below will show you the better steps to follow to apply successfully and confidently.
Before we start the step, let me clarify for you why this job is very needed, because currently in Ethiopia there were wars, and these wars caused big problems for many people, so most villages and areas need help, and NGOs play a big role in helping people, so they need to hire people who fit their work requirements.
Understand What NGOs Look For
Before applying, know that NGOs often look for: People with passion for social impact,It needs very good communication skills, especially in English and Amharic.Background in fields like health, education, social work, finance, or ITPrevious volunteer or community experience, and now most NGOs will prefer experience.But what you have to know is even if you don’t have a degree, having relevant skills or experience can help you get selected.
Search for Available NGO Jobs
To find real NGO job openings in Addis Ababa, try the following trusted websites:
EthioJobs.net
JobsinEthiopia.net
And also, mainly, I used a Telegram channel called ‘Afri Work.’
UN Jobs—Ethiopia
NGO websites like
Save the Children
Plan International
Use keywords like
“NGO job Addis Ababa,” “project officer,” “MEAL assistant,” “program manager,” etc
Prepare a Professional CV and Cover Letter
NGOs usually require:
A clear, short CV—at least it has to be two pages.
A personalized cover letter explaining why you want to join them
I recommend you
Highlight skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Include NGO-related volunteer work, training, or workshops.
Use a clean layout with no unnecessary decoration; this will lead readers to feel bored and make them think you’re not responsible for clean work.
You can use free tools like Novoresume, But I prefer Canva CV Templates because for myself also, I used it.
Follow the Application Instructions Carefully
Every NGO job has its own application method. Some ask for email applications; others use online forms.
Always: Attach only the requested documents. Use the correct email subject. I mainly recommend never forgetting your phone number; most people aren’t active on email messages, whereas SMS is preferable.
Submit before the deadline
Prepare for the Interview
If you’re shortlisted, you may be called for:
A phone or Zoom interview, but as my experience in Ethiopia you will be requested to be present physically at their office.
A written test (especially for roles in MEAL, finance, and admin)
An in-person interview
🔹 Common questions include:
Why do you want to work with us?
Tell us about a time you worked on a team.
What do you know about our organization? – Know that you can know and get their organization info simply from their site.
Practice your answers in advance and research the NGO’s mission and projects.
Final Tips for Success
Keep applying —don’t stop if one doesn’t reply.
Update your CV every few months better to be in a week based on new updates.
Build your LinkedIn profile for more visibility.
If possible, take short online courses in project management, monitoring & evaluation, or humanitarian response.
Finally, I want to say
Applying for NGO jobs in Addis Ababa is not hard if you follow the steps I mentioned above. Understand what employers are looking for, prepare professional documents, and please refer to other professional documents. Don’t worry, you can find it easily online, and stay consistent. Don’t give up. Many people get hired not because they are the most experienced but because they followed instructions and showed passion with consistency.
Next, I will come up with new additional ideas. and another work idea
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