What it does: International development including a focus on agriculture, climate change, economic and urban development, education, health, human rights, legal aid and water sanitation.
Best known for: BRAC has been the biggest non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the world for four consecutive years.
Staff stats: More than 100,000 people in Bangladesh and 10 other countries.
The good bits: BRAC provides several benefits from international relocation to biannual festival bonuses for Bangladeshi employees. BRAC covers inpatient and outpatient medical care for local and foreign employees. A stint at the largest NGO in the world also means plenty of opportunities to interact and learn with people from different backgrounds.
The not so good bits: BRAC requires a minimum CGPA for certain positions. For instance, a deputy HR manager should have a minimum CGPA of 2.5 or higher. Graduates also have limited chances for joining the company other than applying for internships. Some roles require several years of experience and master’s degrees.
Hiring grads with top marks in: Accounting and Finance; Business and Marketing; Social Science and Development Studies; Mass Communications; Engineering and Information Technology; Human Resources and Law.
BRAC underwent different name changes before being known as Building Resources Across Communities. Sir Fazlé Hasan Abed founded the company in 1972 initially to help those displaced by a 1970 cyclone and the casualties from the 1971 independence war. Abed used £40,000 to build what is now known as the biggest NGO worldwide.
The organisation has worked with around 150 million people since its inception. Abed cited BRAC’s model of responding to the needs of the poor and underprivileged is one of the main reasons for the group’s success. Today, they have evolved from being an NGO into a social enterprise, public forum, knowledge hub, university, social investment and policy advocacy organisation. BRAC has provided support services in the following areas:
Human Rights
Social Empowerment
Education
Health
Economic Empowerment
Enterprise Development
Livelihood Training
Environmental Sustainability
Disaster Preparedness
University students in Bangladesh can apply online for internship roles at the organisation. BRAC evaluates applications based on merit and academic records. Download an application form and submit the completed document with an updated CV and passport-size digital photo.
BRAC responds within two weeks or earlier from the deadline of applications. Overseas applicants for internships should expect to pay $50. The organisation also charges BDT 1,000 as processing fees for interns from local institutes.
Full-time roles vary based on the location.
You shouldn’t expect a promotion to happen soon after joining BRAC. Some employees reportedly experience a slow career progression with the company.
Interns earn BDT 5,000 per month on average. Deputy managers earn an average monthly salary between BDT 39,000 and BDT 48,000. BRAC pays at least BDT 39,000 and BDT 31,000 every month to officers and system administrators, respectively. Median salaries for management and senior management roles ranging from at least BDT 53,000 to BDT 62,000.
Benefits and incentives depend on the location and role. BRAC offers biannual festival bonuses, contributory compulsory provident fund, gratuity, health and life insurance, and performance bonus.
BRAC has been ranked as the leading NGO in the world since 2016, according to Geneva-based NGO Advisor. BRAC has achieved this global status by prioritising women and children in its social development projects, and this applies to gender diversity at the workplace as well. Women account for an estimated 70 per cent of the organisation’s workforce.
The group engages in more than 15 advocacies, so be prepared for a fast-paced work environment that can be stressful at times.
BRAC’s peers in the global NGO sector include Wikimedia Foundation, Acumen Fund, Danish Refugee Council and Partners in Health.
BRAC University has educated over 10,000 Bangladeshis since it opened in 2001. The institution offers more than US$1 million in scholarships for students at seven departments, eight schools and institutes, and seven centres of excellence.
Domestic violence affects 72.6 per cent of married women in Bangladesh at least once in their lives, according to BRAC. As of 2018, the NGO has provided more than 2.1 million social safety net services and prevented around 117,420 cases of domestic violence, child marriage and dowries.
BRAC works toward a goal of reducing ultra-poverty in Bangladesh by 2030. The group has helped more than 114,000 households in the country through sustainable livelihood programmes and other socio-economic services. BRAC’s Ultra-Poor Graduation Programme also serves as the benchmark for similar efforts in 43 countries by other NGOs and government agencies.
Natural disasters affect Bangladesh where at least 3.5 million people are currently in need of humanitarian aid. BRAC’s disaster-risk mitigation initiatives have helped 157,600 people to be aware of early warnings on (cyclones, flooding, heatwaves and riverbank erosion).
BRAC’s 60,570 community health workers and volunteers have saved the lives of millions in Bangladesh. The group has provided 1.5 million women with maternity care, as well as nutrition counselling to 3.4 million women. The NGO also treated 1.3 million cases of diarrhea and 1.2 million pneumonia cases as of 2018.
BRAC has educated more than 600,000 people about safe migration practices. Over 12 million Bangladeshis seek overseas employment, but most of them are unaware of responsible migration that makes easy targets for human trafficking and exploitation.
Graduates will have a bigger chance of joining BRAC by having a stellar academic history and pursuing further studies like a master’s degree. While the organisation provides several lucrative benefits, you should be willing to earn below-average base pay for an entry-level job. Job security may be a concern, as NGOs usually hire employees on a contractual basis. A few years at BRAC can look good on your resume because of its status as the leading NGO in the world.