Pursuing a career in humanitarian aid is both rewarding and challenging. Crafting a humanitarian CV/resume that captures your qualifications, experience, and passion is crucial to standing out in this competitive field. Whether you’re applying to international organizations like the United Nations or smaller NGOs, your humanitarian CV/resume should reflect your skills, adaptability, and commitment to humanitarian principles. Keep reading for professional humanitarian CV/resume advice:
Understanding the Humanitarian CV/Resume
Humanitarian aid organizations often look for candidates who can thrive under pressure, adapt to challenging environments, and possess the technical expertise required for their roles. Your humanitarian CV/resume should:
- Demonstrate relevant experience in humanitarian or related sectors.
- Highlight transferable skills like leadership, problem-solving, and communication.
- Be tailored to the specific job and organization.
- Showcase your commitment to humanitarian principles and ethics.
Structuring Your Humanitarian CV/Resume
A well-structured CV/Resume ensures that your qualifications are easy to read and understand. Use the following structure:
- Personal Information: Include your name, contact details, and location. Avoid excessive personal details like marital status or a photo unless requested.
- Professional Summary: A concise paragraph summarizing your experience, key skills, and career goals.
- Key Skills: Bullet points of the most relevant skills for the role.
- Work Experience: Detailed accounts of your previous roles, focusing on achievements and responsibilities.
- Education: Degrees, certifications, and training relevant to humanitarian work.
- Languages: Fluency in multiple languages is often a significant asset.
- Additional Information: Certifications, volunteer work, and technical skills.
Formatting Your Humanitarian CV/Resume
Your humanitarian CV/resume should be professional, clear, and concise:
- Length: Aim for 2 pages unless the job application specifies otherwise.
- Font and Size: Use a professional font like Arial or Calibri, sized 10-12pt.
- Consistency: Ensure consistent formatting for headings, bullet points, and dates.
- Action Verbs: Use dynamic verbs such as “led,” “implemented,” and “coordinated.”
Writing a Compelling Professional Summary
Your professional summary should provide a snapshot of your qualifications and aspirations. For example:
“Experienced humanitarian aid worker with over 5 years of expertise in disaster response and community development. Proven track record in coordinating relief efforts and managing multi-disciplinary teams in challenging environments. Passionate about fostering sustainable solutions and upholding humanitarian principles.”
Highlighting Key Skills
Tailor your skills section to align with the job description. Examples include:
- Project management and coordination.
- Disaster response and recovery.
- Grant writing and donor reporting.
- Cross-cultural communication.
- Monitoring and evaluation (M&E).
- Capacity building and training.
- Proficiency in tools like MS Office, GIS, or data analysis software.
Showcasing Relevant Work Experience
Focus on roles that demonstrate your suitability for humanitarian work. Use this format:
Job Title | Organization Name | Location | Dates (Month/Year – Month/Year)
- Brief description of the role and its context.
- Key achievements and responsibilities using action-oriented language.
For example:
Program Officer | Save the Children | Nairobi, Kenya | Jan 2018 – Dec 2020
- Coordinated nutrition programs for vulnerable communities, benefiting over 5,000 individuals.
- Managed a team of 15 field staff, ensuring efficient implementation of projects.
- Secured $500,000 in funding through successful grant applications.
Emphasizing Education and Training
List your most relevant degrees and certifications:
- Master of International Development | University of Oxford | 2017
- Certificate in Humanitarian Logistics | Fritz Institute | 2018
- Sphere Standards Training | RedR UK | 2019
Languages and Technical Skills
Proficiency in multiple languages is highly valuable. Mention your level of fluency using the UN language grading scale:
- English – Level: C1 (Advanced)
- French – Level: B2 (Upper Intermediate)
- Arabic – Level: A2 (Basic)
Highlight technical skills such as data analysis tools, GIS software, or financial management systems:
Familiar with financial management systems (e.g., SAP, QuickBooks)
Proficient in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R)
Experienced with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)
Volunteer Work and Certifications
Humanitarian organizations value volunteer experience. Include relevant roles:
Volunteer Coordinator | Red Cross | Dhaka, Bangladesh | 2016-2017
- Organized disaster preparedness workshops for local communities.
Tailoring Your CV/Resume for Specific Roles
Customize your CV/Resume for each application:
- Review the Job Description: Identify keywords and qualifications the organization emphasizes.
- Adapt Your Professional Summary: Align it with the role’s requirements.
- Prioritize Relevant Experience: Highlight roles and achievements that match the job.
- Focus on Specific Skills: Emphasize skills mentioned in the job description.
Tips for Entry-Level Applicants
If you’re new to the sector, emphasize transferable skills and volunteer experience:
- Highlight academic projects or internships related to humanitarian work.
- Showcase leadership roles in community or university organizations.
- Include short-term volunteer assignments with credible NGOs.
Understanding UN Applications
When applying for roles within the United Nations, it’s essential to understand their specific application requirements. Most UN agencies use the Personal History Form (P11) or the Inspira online system instead of traditional CVs/Resumes. These systems require you to input detailed information about your education, work experience, and skills directly into their platforms.
However, for consultancy roles or external partnerships, a CV/Resume might still be required. In such cases, ensure your CV/Resume is tailored to the consultancy’s requirements and highlights relevant skills or projects.
Personalizing Your Humanitarian Cover Letter: Sharing Your Story
A well-crafted cover letter goes beyond listing your skills and qualifications—it’s an opportunity to tell your unique story and connect with the reader on a deeper level. Sharing personal experiences related to your motivation for working in humanitarian aid helps humanize you and adds a compelling layer to your application.
Why Personalization Matters:
- Human Connection: A personal story allows recruiters to see the human side of your professional journey, making you more relatable.
- Highlighting Motivation: Explaining why you are drawn to humanitarian work, your passion, and how your experiences align with the mission of the organization adds authenticity.
- Differentiating Yourself: In a competitive field, your story can set you apart, showcasing what truly drives you to make a difference.
Tips for Personalizing Your Cover Letter:
- Start with a Personal Statement: Begin with a brief introduction that reflects your personal connection to the humanitarian field and what inspired you to pursue this career.
- Share Relevant Experiences: Include specific anecdotes from your previous work, volunteer efforts, or educational background that demonstrate your commitment and dedication.
- Connect Your Story to the Organization’s Mission: Show how your experiences and values align with the organization’s goals, making it clear why you are a good fit.
Example:
If you’ve worked in conflict zones or have volunteered with NGOs, highlight those experiences and explain how they shaped your understanding of the humanitarian landscape. Talk about a moment when your actions made a meaningful impact and how that informs your desire to contribute further.
By integrating your personal story, you not only enrich your application but also create a memorable impression, helping recruiters see the real person behind the resume.
Reviewing and Finalizing Your Humanitarian CV/Resume
Before submitting your CV/Resume:
- Proofread: Check for spelling and grammatical errors.
- Get Feedback: Ask a mentor or colleague for their input.
- Ensure Relevance: Remove information not related to the job.
- Save as PDF: Submit your CV/Resume in PDF format unless instructed otherwise.
Resources and Tools
Leverage these resources to refine your CV/Resume:
- Preparing Resumes and Cover Letters
- How to Write a Good Resume – UNDP
- How to Apply – United Nations Careers
- Tips for your CV/Resume – UNICEF
- Resume/CV Advice by Jayne Cravens (Coyote Communications)
Final Thoughts
A winning humanitarian CV/resume for humanitarian aid jobs requires careful tailoring to each role, clear communication of your skills and experience, and a professional presentation. By highlighting your relevant qualifications and commitment to the sector, you’ll increase your chances of landing a rewarding role in humanitarian aid. Remember, your humanitarian CV/resume is your first impression—make it count!
Looking for more insights and resources to kickstart or further your humanitarian career? Explore more on The Global Humanitarian Blog for expert advice and actionable tips.
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Please note: the views and opinions expressed on this blog are that of my own and do not represent the opinions of any agency mentioned.