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Humanitarian Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Relief International

Development Intern

Washington, DC · On-site

$17 - $22.75/hr

Relief International combines humanitarian and development approaches to provide immediate services while laying the groundwork for long-term impact. Our signature approach - which we call the RI Way ...

Relief International

Development Intern

Washington, DC · On-site

$17 - $22.75/hr

Relief International combines humanitarian and development approaches to provide immediate services while laying the groundwork for long-term impact. Our signature approach - which we call the RI Way ...

Theirc

Walk-in Services Intern (Fall 2026)

Silver Spring, MD · On-site

$15.50 - $20.75/hr

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by ...

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All JobsHumanitarian JobsHumanitarian Jobs in Reston, VA

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How much do humanitarian jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for humanitarian in Reston, VA is $20.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $21.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are humanitarians?

Humanitarians are individuals who dedicate their time, skills, or resources to improving the well-being of others, especially people affected by crises such as natural disasters, conflicts, or poverty. They work to provide relief and support to vulnerable communities through organizations, non-profits, or volunteer efforts. Humanitarians can serve in a variety of roles, including delivering aid, advocating for human rights, or coordinating emergency response. Their main goal is to alleviate suffering and promote human dignity without discrimination.

What is a humanitarian career?

A humanitarian career involves working to improve the well-being of vulnerable populations affected by crises such as conflicts, natural disasters, or poverty. These roles often require skills in emergency response, project management, and cross-cultural communication, and may involve working in challenging environments for organizations like NGOs, UN agencies, or aid groups.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Humanitarian, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Humanitarian, you need a strong background in international relations, project management, and cultural competency, often supported by a relevant degree or field experience. Familiarity with data collection tools, humanitarian standards (such as Sphere), and languages commonly spoken in crisis regions is highly valuable. Outstanding soft skills include adaptability, resilience, and effective cross-cultural communication. These skills and qualities are essential for delivering aid, building trust with communities, and navigating the challenges of crisis settings.

What are some common challenges Humanitarians face when working in the field, and how can these be addressed?

Humanitarians often encounter challenges such as working in unstable or resource-constrained environments, managing cross-cultural communication, and responding quickly to evolving crises. These challenges require adaptability, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to work effectively under pressure. Building resilience, participating in ongoing training, and fostering strong teamwork are essential strategies for overcoming these obstacles and delivering effective aid.

How to get into humanitarian work?

To pursue a career as a humanitarian, gaining relevant education such as degrees in international relations, social work, or development studies is helpful. Volunteering or working with NGOs, developing language skills, and obtaining certifications like first aid or project management can improve employability. Experience in crisis zones or underserved communities is often valued by employers in this field.

Do humanitarians get paid?

Humanitarians can be paid or volunteer, depending on the organization and role. Paid positions often include salaries and benefits, especially in international agencies or NGOs, while many humanitarian volunteers work without pay. Compensation varies based on experience, location, and the specific organization.

What Do Humanitarians Do?

Humanitarians devote their time and energy to promoting human welfare and assisting other people in need. You do not necessarily need a job to be a humanitarian. For example, volunteering at a homeless shelter or donating time and money to end hunger or to support refugees or human rights agencies are also humanitarian acts. However, there are also many jobs that can be classified as “humanitarian” jobs. These range from being a volunteer coordinator for a local charity to working as a physician for an international aid organization such as Doctors Without Borders. The responsibilities of a humanitarian range greatly depending on the position and work requirements.

What are examples of humanitarian jobs?

Humanitarian jobs include roles such as aid workers, relief coordinators, emergency response specialists, and development officers. These positions often require skills in project management, cross-cultural communication, and knowledge of international aid protocols, and may involve working in challenging environments to support vulnerable populations.

What is the difference between Humanitarian vs Social Worker?

AspectHumanitarianSocial Worker
Required CredentialsRelevant degrees (e.g., International Development, Humanitarian Studies), certifications in emergency responseSocial work degree (BSW, MSW), licensure
Work EnvironmentFieldwork in disaster zones, refugee camps, developing countriesCommunity settings, hospitals, schools, government agencies
Employer & IndustryNGOs, international agencies, relief organizationsGovernment agencies, healthcare facilities, non-profits
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in emergency and international aidSupporting individuals and communities in social services

While both Humanitarians and Social Workers aim to improve lives, Humanitarians focus on emergency relief and international aid in crisis zones, often working abroad. Social Workers typically serve local communities, providing ongoing support in social services. Their credentials, work environments, and employer types differ, reflecting their distinct roles within the broader field of helping professions.

More about Humanitarian jobs
What are popular job titles related to Humanitarian jobs in Reston, VA? For Humanitarian jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Humanitarian jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Humanitarian jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Humanitarian jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Humanitarian job openings:
Humanitarian jobs near you
Emergency Response Roster - Food Assistance & Non-Food Item(NFI) Advisor

Emergency Response Roster - Food Assistance & Non-Food Item(NFI) Advisor

World Vision

Sterling, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

With over 70 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.
Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children's life stories!
Employee Contract Type:
International Assignment - Fixed Term (Fixed Term)
Job Description:
Country location to be determined based on response.
Please submit your Cover Letter and CV in English.
Children's lives can change in an instant in the wake of war, disasters and humanitarian emergencies. We see how vulnerable they are and how much they need our protection.
Joining our Emergency Response Roster means you can be a part of our response, providing immediate support when disaster strikes.
Here's where you come in:
As a Food Assistance & Non-Food Item (NFI) Advisor you will be responsible for strategic leadership and management of all actions/activities related to the food assistance and non-food items (NFI) portfolio establish within the Response, including a multi-disciplinary project team. He/She will provide technical support and programmatic guidance to project team, represent the response at relevant cluster/technical working group engagements, and support assessments, project design and donor negotiations. The Food Assistance and NFI Advisor ensures all food assistance and non-food items interventions aligns with standards set by the donor, humanitarian industry and World Vision International to achieve quality and efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance and accountability to relevant stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership
  • Provide strategic oversight and leadership of the Food Assistance and NFI Programs, in compliance with Disaster Management Standards and donor guidelines.
  • Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the DM Regional Technical Advisor throughout the life of the project.
  • Ensure strong communication and coordination with all team members as a means to effectively achieve program objectives.
  • Spearhead innovation and creativity within the food assistance and NFI programs to ensure cost competitiveness and value for money.

Management of Food Assistance (In-kind, Cash and Vouchers) and Non-Food Items Resources
  • Lead project team in participatory planning and implementation of activities, ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices and donor guidelines.
  • Provide supervision and technical support to all food assistance and NFI activities to ensure they are managed and implemented as per approved award document, donor and WVI guidelines/standards.
  • Design strategies, partnerships and interventions to ensure project activities and implementation approaches are gender, age and ability inclusive and in compliance with requirements.
  • Work closely with all departments (other operations stakeholders, finance, procurement, supply chain management) to provide technical support needed for the implementation of all food assistance and NFI activities.
  • Identify and support program staff capacity building and development.

Implementation and Program Quality:
  • Work with all sectors within the response to ensure food assistance and NFI interventions are well integrated with existing sectors programs for maximum impact within the response.
  • Maintain appropriate tracking systems for both food assistance and NFI interventions to ensure proper accounting and stewardship of all food assistance and NFI resources entrusted to the response.
  • Ensure all food assistance and NFI distributions are executed in line with set industry, donor, WV and humanitarian standards, and all distributions documents are correctly filed in a safe place and readily available for audit.
  • Ensure all commodities, CVP and NFI losses are properly documented, investigated and claims procedures comply with the World Vision Partnership and donor requirements.
  • As required, support Operations in implementation challenges with hands-on capacity building.
  • Support direct reports as needed on invoices tracking sheet and update & share with the management on timely basis.
  • Support Food Assistance ( in-kind, cash, vouchers) /NFI and procurement teams in maintaining inventory control on a monthly basis.
  • Ensure that all Food Assistance ( In-kind, vouchers, cash)/ NFI are tracked as on funding and separate reports prepared for each donor.

External Engagements/ Networking/ Grants Acquisition
  • In collaboration with the GAM team, participate in the development of new project proposals/concept notes; and explore opportunities for growth and diversification of the Food Assistance ( in-kind, vouchers, cash) and NFI Program portfolio.
  • Network with other humanitarian and private stakeholders to support the exploration funding opportunities and partnerships
  • Participate in relevant humanitarian community cluster or working group meetings and represent the response in technical discussions on food assistance and NFI programs
  • Provide ad hoc reports and information as needed to maintain external stakeholders up to date on key developments in the portfolio.

Risks Management and Compliance:
  • Work closely with other stakeholders across Response team (response director/management, Operations Director, programs, finance, procurement) to ensure teams are up to date on key issues in the Food Assistance and NFI portfolio.
  • Ensure that the development and use of Standard operating procedures and risks management registers for all FA & NFI projects.
  • Conduct regular compliance reviews and programming adjustments in line with donor regulations and World Vision Standards.
  • Identifies potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk; develops/implements corrective action plans for resolution of problematic issues, and provides general guidance on how to avoid or deal with similar situations in the future.
  • Develops, initiates, maintains, and revises policies and procedures for the general operation of the Compliance Program and its related activities to prevent illegal, unethical, or improper conduct.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND EXPERIENCE
Required Education, training, license, registration, and/or Certification
  • Technical diploma or university degree preferably in project management, social work, food security and livelihoods, community development or related fields.
  • Master's degree preferred.
  • Demonstrated 4-5 years of experience in food security programmes preferably with an International NGO in same capacity; and a minimum of 3-year experience on Food Assistance and NFI programming
  • Excellent Team player.
  • Practical knowledge of food security and livelihoods strategies.
  • Familiarity with international codes of conduct.
  • Strong Computer skills, specifically Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint etc.).
  • Experience in contextual analysis, quantitative and qualitative researches and other assessment tools.
  • Excellent facilitation skills.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Must have strong analytical, problem solving and organizational skills with an attention to detail.
  • Must be able to work effectively with a diverse team.
  • Requires the ability to work under pressure and on multiple tasks.
  • Creative problem-solving.
  • HEAT Training.

Required Professional Experience
  • Extensive exposure to food assistance programs management (minimum 3 years) preferably with international experience.
  • Adequate knowledge and experience in food assistance programs and donors' standards appropriate to the management of the food and NFI programs.
  • Knowledge of the Sphere standards, Code of Conduct for Red Cross/ Red crescent, Humanitarian Accountability Partnerships (HAPI) and other international humanitarian standards.
  • Extensive experience in supervising staff and conducting capacity building workshops.
  • Ability to effectively develop rapport and relate to donors, NGOs, counterparts, and government agencies.
  • Ability to achieve personal Integrity and trustworthiness.
  • Ability to solve problems and prioritize many demands.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge and/or other Qualifications
  • Good understanding on food/commodity management systems.
  • Extensive experience in supervising staff and conducting capacity building workshops.
  • In depth working knowledge of computer soft wares like Commodity Tracking System, Microsoft excel, words, and power point.
  • Ability to achieve personal Integrity and trustworthiness.
  • Ability to solve problems and effectively multi-task with good results .

Required travel and/or work environment accommodations
  • Ability to travel to/within domestically and Internationally as required.
  • Work hours are often in excess of 12 hours per day during difficult periods of the response.
  • Responses are often mounted in insecure or natural disaster-prone contexts, which may disrupt normal work patterns and generate staff safety issues.
  • Work and housing environments may at times be well below normal standards in terms of facilities, equipment, food availability and hygiene.

Effective written and verbal communication in English. Other UN languages such as French, Arabic, Spanish, and Portuguese, are preferred.
Applicant Types Accepted:
Local and International Applicants (IA's) Accepted

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