Considering working for a nonprofit in Israel? Here’s what you need to know before you go down that career path.
Advantages of nonprofit work in Israel
- Working in the nonprofit sector in Israel is a fulfilling career, because you can go to work every day and make a difference to the Israeli society, economy and/or political landscape. Nonprofits run the gamut from organizations that feed the poor to those that promote diversity, encourage dialogue or protect political interests. There are organizations that support terror victims, soldiers, religious institutions, children at risk and so much more.
- Nonprofits often require fewer working hours than careers in hi-tech, medicine etc., making for a better work-life balance. They tend not to expect overtime hours and assume that, in most cases, you leave work behind at the end of the workday and pick it up again the next morning.
- Because most Israeli nonprofits are at least partially funded by overseas donations, English-speaking staff are often sought after for positions such as fundraising, grant writing, content writing, donor relations and marketing.
- Although there are fewer jobs available in the nonprofit sector than in hi-tech, there are still plenty of openings, especially in the Jerusalem area where many organizations are based. If you have nonprofit experience and/or excellent writing and communication, there are organizations looking for these skills.
Disadvantages of working in an Israeli nonprofit
- Salaries in the nonprofit sector are lower than the for-profit sector and significantly less than the hi-tech industry, except at the senior management level. CEOs and experienced fundraisers at nonprofits are often well-paid, but this doesn’t necessarily translate to better salaries for the majority of the staff.
- Jobs at the senior level are highly competitive and rarely advertised. Instead, they are obtained through word of mouth or protexia (connections). If you have just arrived in Israel and haven’t built up a network yet, it will be hard to find this type of job. Whether you have already made aliyah or are still in the planning stages, you will need to create a network if you want a high-level nonprofit position.
- Nonprofits generally have smaller budgets, leading to understaffing and the expectation that one employee will do a variety of tasks that would be assigned to a number of people in a for-profit organization. If you’re the sole English-speaker in the office, you might be asked to translate texts or show donors around, even if these tasks are not covered by your job description. However, if you are the kind of person that thinks wearing many hats keeps things interesting, this could actually be an advantage.
- Gifts, fun days, holiday parties, bonuses and other job perks are more common in for-profit companies than in not for profits. If you got used to these types of benefits in your previous job, you might be disappointed by their absence in a nonprofit position.
How to get a nonprofit job in Israel
As mentioned above, networking is a great way to find a nonprofit job, especially on the management level. You can also look for a job in the traditional way, particularly for non-management positions. Job boards like Nefesh B’Nefesh and Facebook groups for English-speakers are a good place to start your search. Don’t forget to let people know what type of position you are seeking, since you never know when something suitable will come across their desk. If your job search is public, you can even make an announcement on social media. Otherwise, contact friends privately and put out discreet feelers.
Wishing you a successful job hunt and a career that fulfills and inspires you!