Top 10 Interview Questions Asked by NGOs in East Africa.

Securing a job with an international NGO (like the UN, Save the Children, or IRC) in East Africa is a life-changing opportunity. However, the interview process is very different from the corporate world.

Recruiters in this region are looking for specific traits: Resilience, Community Awareness, and Donor Compliance. If you walk into the interview room unprepared, you will likely fail.

We have compiled the top 10 questions asked by NGOs in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia, along with the winning strategies to answer them.

Table of Contents: 1. The "Personal" Questions 2. Fieldwork & Resilience Questions 3. Technical & Donor Reporting 4. The Tricky Questions (Salary & Conflict) 5. What to Ask Them

1. The "Personal" Questions

This is where 80% of candidates make their first mistake. The interviewer starts with:

Q1: "Tell us about yourself."

Do not recite your CV or talk about your family. Instead, use the Past, Present, Future model.

💡 Pro Tip: The Formula Past: "I have 4 years of experience in project management..."
Present: "Currently, I lead a team of 10 field officers in..."
Future: "I am applying here because I want to bring these skills to your WASH program."

Q2: "Why do you want to work for our organization?"

They want to know if you understand their mission. Mention a specific project they are doing in the region (e.g., "I admire your drought relief work in the Somali region...").

2. Fieldwork & Resilience Questions

Working for an NGO in the Horn of Africa often means working in remote, difficult environments. They need to know you are tough.

Q3: "Describe a time you faced a challenge in the field."

Use the STAR Method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Focus on a problem like a vehicle breakdown, security issue, or community resistance, and how you solved it calmly.

Q4: "How do you ensure community participation?"

NGOs do not work for people; they work with people. Your answer must mention "Listening to local elders," "Including women and youth," and "Building trust."

3. Technical & Donor Reporting

Q5: "How do you handle tight deadlines?"

Donor reports (for USAID, EU, etc.) have strict deadlines. Explain that you use tools like Calendars or Trello to prioritize tasks and that you communicate early if there is a delay.

Q6: "What is your experience with Donor Reporting?"

If you are applying for a Program Officer role, this is crucial. Mention the importance of Data Accuracy and Success Stories. If you know specific formats (logframes), mention them.

4. The Tricky Questions

⚠️ Warning: Be careful with the "Conflict" question. Never speak badly about a former boss or colleague. It makes you look difficult to work with.

Q7: "How do you handle conflict with a colleague?"

Correct Answer: "I believe in open communication. I would invite the colleague for a coffee to discuss the issue privately and professionally to find a solution that benefits the project."

Q8: "What are your salary expectations?"

Do not give a specific number immediately unless you know the budget. Instead, say: "I am looking for a competitive salary that reflects the responsibilities of this role and my experience."

5. Closing the Interview

Finally, they will ask: "Do you have any questions for us?"

Never say "No." This is your chance to look smart. Ask:

• "What is the biggest challenge the team is currently facing?"
• "What does success look like in this role for the first 90 days?"

Ready for More Tips?

Now that you know how to answer the questions, make sure to check out our YouTube channel for more detailed guides and tutorials.

Watch Casaawe Tech →