Programme Associate Placement 2026/27

Jersey Overseas Aid, the Island’s official, publicly-funded aid and development agency, is offering an 18-month paid placement for a Jersey resident interested in a career in international development and humanitarian work.

Delivered in partnership with CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development), the Programme Associate placement combines experience in Jersey, London and overseas. Applications are welcome from recent graduates and career changers.

What you’ll do

You’ll gain experience of both funding and delivering international aid through three placements:

• Months 1–6: Jersey. Based in St Helier with JOA, you’ll work alongside its team on project design, grant management, monitoring and evaluation, and humanitarian response.
• Months 7–12: London. Working with CAFOD, you could gain experience in fundraising, communications, programme design, proposal writing, policy and advocacy. There is some flexibility for remote working from Jersey, with periodic visits to London.
• Months 13–18: Overseas. Following security and pre-deployment training, you’ll join a CAFOD national office in Africa or Asia and the Pacific. You’ll support project delivery, monitoring and evaluation, and community engagement. The location will depend on organisational needs and your suitability.

You’ll also share regular blogs and reflections with JOA throughout the placement.

Who can apply?

You should be committed to pursuing a career in international development or humanitarian action and have:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience gained through employment, volunteering or other relevant activities.
• Relevant skills developed through work, volunteering or study, such as project management, healthcare, education, research or advocacy.
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills.
• The ability to manage a varied workload and work with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Good IT skills.

Applicants must be entitled to live and work in Jersey and have been born in Jersey or resident for at least five continuous years.

Experience with diverse communities, knowledge of international development and additional languages would be advantageous.

What you’ll receive

Alongside your salary, you’ll receive structured mentoring, professional development support and practical experience across donor, NGO and overseas programme teams.

The placement includes:

• 25 days’ annual leave plus public holidays.
• An additional accommodation and travel allowance during the London phase, if applicable.
• Support from CAFOD managers and a dedicated mentor during your time with CAFOD.
• Security and pre-deployment training before the overseas phase.

Occasional evening or weekend work may be required. Working hours, holidays and benefits during the London and overseas phases will follow CAFOD’s standard policies.

This is JOA’s 15th Programme Associate placement. Previous participants have gone on to work with international NGOs, the United Nations and government aid agencies.