What skills are needed to build a career in development projects and programmes? Which professional opportunities are available, and how can training and certifications support career development?

These questions shaped a webinar held on October 28, 2026, presented by Edson Marinho, Executive Director of PM4NGOs, and promoted by the PM4NGOs Côte d’Ivoire Hub in collaboration with BIFA Institute.

The webinar brought attention to career opportunities in the development sector, the competencies organizations seek, and the training and certification pathways available to professionals looking to strengthen their knowledge and advance their careers.

Career opportunities in development projects and programmes

Development projects and programmes rely on professionals with different skills and areas of expertise. From project planning and coordination to financial management, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning, effective project management involves a range of responsibilities that contribute to achieving intended results.

Understanding these roles can help professionals identify career opportunities and determine which competencies they need to develop. For those already working in the sector, continuing professional development can also support their ability to take on new responsibilities and strengthen their practice.

The webinar provided a space to explore these themes and consider how professional learning can support career development in the sector.

Building the skills organizations need

Working in development projects requires an understanding of how projects are designed, planned, implemented, monitored, and managed. It also calls for the ability to coordinate people and resources, work with stakeholders, and keep activities connected to project objectives.

Professional development opportunities can help practitioners build this knowledge and apply structured approaches to their work.

PM4NGOs supports professionals and organizations working in development and humanitarian contexts through DPro methodologies, learning resources, and certification pathways. These resources are designed to strengthen project and programme management, monitoring and evaluation practices, and financial management.

DPro certifications and professional development

DPro certifications provide a structured way for professionals to develop and demonstrate knowledge relevant to their roles in the development sector.

PM4NGOs offers certification pathways covering different areas of practice, including:

• Project DPro: Project management in development contexts.

• Program DPro: Programme management.

• MEAL DPro: Monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning.

• Finance DPro: Financial management in development organizations.

• Social Good DPro: Project management for social good initiatives in higher-income countries.

Each pathway addresses a different area of professional practice. The most suitable option depends on an individual’s experience, current responsibilities, and professional development goals.

For professionals considering certification, the first step is to explore the available methodologies and identify the pathway most relevant to their work.

Discover the available DPro exams and certifications.

The role of the PM4NGOs Côte d’Ivoire Hub

The webinar was promoted by the PM4NGOs Côte d’Ivoire Hub, which works to strengthen project, programme, finance, and MEAL management capacities in the local development sector.

The Hub connects professionals and organizations interested in improving project management practices and accessing relevant learning and certification opportunities. Through collaboration and knowledge exchange, it contributes to building a community of practice around effective management of development initiatives.

Partnerships with organizations such as BIFA Institute also help create opportunities to discuss professional development and the skills needed in the sector.

Learn more about the PM4NGOs Côte d’Ivoire Hub.

Continue developing your project management skills

The webinar highlighted important questions for anyone considering or developing a career in development projects: Which skills are relevant to your goals? What knowledge would help you in your current role? Which learning or certification pathway aligns with your professional plans?

Exploring these questions can help professionals make informed decisions about their next steps.

PM4NGOs provides resources to support practitioners and organizations in strengthening project management practices across the development and humanitarian sectors.

Explore your next steps:

Whether you are starting your career or strengthening your existing experience, continuing to develop your project management knowledge can help you contribute more effectively to development projects and programmes.