NGO & Policy

NGOs (Non Governmental Organizations) are typically Nonprofit organizations that operate independent of government involvement, most often operating on an international level. NGOs promote social or political change on both broad and local scales and play a critical part in developing society, improving communities, and promoting citizen participation both at home and abroad. Like Nonprofits, NGOs employ professionals across functional areas. “Working in Policy” encompasses a huge variety of roles and refers to work solving governments’ most complex challenges. Public policy refers to the nation’s laws, regulations, and social constructs upheld by legal theory. Policies can respond to specific issues like educational accessibility, workforce development and housing practices. Policy work cuts across multiple sectors and can include working at think tanks, Nonprofits and NGOs, and as city managers, lawyers and diplomats.

We encourage you to check out these recommended resources for career exploration, internship and job searches.

Learn and Explore

Introduction to Working in Policy & Research
Why Work in NGO Policy? Learn about policy related jobs at NGOs
Boston Network for International Development
InterAction — Represents the largest alliance of US based international and humanitarian NGOs. Their bi-weekly newsletter—Monday Developments—gives great background information on international humanitarian efforts.
JumboVote: Tufts’ voting initiative
The Center for Policy Analysis at Tisch
Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE): Focuses on the political life of young people in the United States, especially those who are marginalized or disadvantaged.
Institute for Democracy and Higher Education: IDHE serves as a leading venue for nonpartisan, applied research, resources, and advocacy on college student political learning and engagement in democracy.
The Metric Geometry and Gerrymandering Group (MGGG): Boston-based working group led by Moon Duchin of Tufts University and Justin Solomon of MIT
Tisch College Community Research Center (TCRC): Supports research projects undertaken jointly by community members in partnership with Tufts faculty and/or students.
List of Influential Think Tanks
Global Go-To Think Tank Index
United Nations Development Programme: Works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion
Council on Foundations: Membership organization of more than 2,000 grant-making foundations and giving programs worldwide. Good way to find out more about foundations, international work, etc and news.
Policy and Government Relations: Explore the policy divisions in the corporate sector at organizations like HP
Corporate Impact Careers