International Development Enterprises Reviews

Pros

Innovative approach to international development work - working with entrepreneurs and businesses

Cons

Hasn't yet reached its full potential

Pros

Directors tend to make enough money to retire after 4-5 years of work.

Cons

There are serious pay inequities seen in both headquarter locations and field offices, both in terms of paying women less for the same work as well as a major disparity between local and international staff. I have seen consultants paid more for an hours' worth of work than an entire office of local staff. This was raised a number of times but Directors seemed to always excuse the behaviour. Directors are hardly ever held accountable, blame is often misplaced on staff.

Pros

They have a very friendly team over there.

Cons

I don't think they have any cons.

Pros

This onboarding process had amazing structure, and I really felt a part of the team!

Cons

There is sometimes an unspoken social barrier when getting to know people from other departments.

Pros

- really meaningful work - actively trying to change development for good

Cons

- a little disorganized with lack of inter-org communication between teams

Pros

Great mission and organized management!

Cons

Training and onboarding could be a bit more thorough.

Pros

Okay benefits and donors, albeit with zero capacity for implementation.

Cons

iDE is a highly politicised organisation. The Overall executive and senior leadership at HQ actively make poor business decisions, forego project sustainability, ruin prospects for project profitability, actively suppress free thinkers and innovators, and elect to maintain staff that are negligent, incompetent, and dishonest. Executive (and senior) management at HQ are not interested in openness, honesty, and forthright communication - even though they preach this. Ego-driven interaction is the primary modality for engagement with the top levels of management at HQ. This creates an unfortunate and negative culture, that isn't conducive to the well-being of the company, nor its Country Directors or employees, whom iDE actually depend upon. Regrettably, the best people suffer under these conditions, while some of the most toxic attitudes thrive. The negative effects this has on the company, projects, employees, etc. can't be understated, nor the opportunity cost of doing so, quantified. Case in point: I was hired without them having the budget for my position. Moreover, when I discovered this and attempted to rectify it through changes within our project to improve our overall efficiency, this was met with resistance, because for visibility's sake, it's easier to maintain the status quo in the face of the donor than it is to admit mistakes and grow from them. This is nothing short of employee abuse and very much a reality of a disfunctional organisation. There was a mass exodus of employees in 2020 and 2021. This should tell anyone everything that they need to know about the top management at HQ that's still all there. The turnover/attrition rates are abysmal. Those that are there are exist because they're waiting for the next best thing, not because there's any faith left in anyone anymore. Finally, they lie about their true scope of operations. Oh and worst, their lack of honor, inability to search for truth and honesty and integrity will have caused numerous projects and hundreds of people to be closed and fired. This is the greatest tragedy.

Pros

Mission driven, high autonomy, creative/innovative environment, focus on 'substance' rather than 'show'

Cons

Primary reliance on project-based funding. A lot of work constantly on proposal writing and fundraising to keep field programs going.

Pros

Very positive working environment and active involvement by the entirety of the team into the mission of their charitable work. Great office space

Cons

Will always face budget limitations as a symptom of being a charity, although much is done with what is available for spending but does create financial constraints and concerns

Pros

The people! Working in Posner Center. Dog-friendly. Allowed to work remotely whenever needed. Meaningful international work and impact. Opportunities for travel. Friendly and fun coworkers.

Cons

Terrible management at HQ office which impacts everything - poor HR systems, nonexistent internal processes, nontransparent decision making, a lot of talk with little action, and ultimately disempowered staff.