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Specialist professionals not classified elsewhere

How to become an International Development Specialist

Uses extensive practical experience, leadership and networks to work on international cooperation projects run by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), United Nations agencies and others.

Main tasks

Workers in this job say a master's degree, university, or a doctorate is common. From job tag's survey of people in each job, who could give several answers. It shows what workers see as common, not how many workers hold each level.

How to become one

The qualifications and education needed depend on the field you work in as a specialist. To work for the United Nations as a Japanese staff member, you become a staff member or specialist by passing the required exams. JICA looks for specialists to match the needs of each posting, through open recruitment and also through government ministries, local governments and other public bodies. You can also use your skills by working for a private company such as a development consultancy, or for a non-government or non-profit organisation. The work covers many fields, jobs and tasks, but what they have in common is acting independently and in a planned way to deliver the results required. For this you need not only specialist knowledge and skills but also the ability to gather information and make overall judgements. The qualities and abilities required differ from project to project, but JICA generally lists expertise in the field or issue, overall management ability, problem finding and research and analysis skills, communication skills, knowledge and experience of the region, and knowledge of aid. To work in countries with different climates, ways of life and cultures, you need the flexibility and adaptability to work out methods that suit the place together with local people, rather than forcing or simply copying your experience from home. Some jobs also require teamwork with people from many countries. The work needs advanced knowledge and experience, and also care for and closeness to the people of the partner country. A strong wish to use your skills to help developing countries is also important.

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Questions people ask

How do I become an International Development Specialist?

The qualifications and education needed depend on the field you work in as a specialist. To work for the United Nations as a Japanese staff member, you become a staff member or specialist by passing the required exams. JICA looks for specialists to match the needs of each posting, through open recruitment and also through government ministries, local governments and other public bodies. You can also use your skills by working for a private company such as a development consultancy, or for a non-government or non-profit organisation. The work covers many fields, jobs and tasks, but what they have in common is acting independently and in a planned way to deliver the results required. For this you need not only specialist knowledge and skills but also the ability to gather information and make overall judgements. The qualities and abilities required differ from project to project, but JICA generally lists expertise in the field or issue, overall management ability, problem finding and research and analysis skills, communication skills, knowledge and experience of the region, and knowledge of aid. To work in countries with different climates, ways of life and cultures, you need the flexibility and adaptability to work out methods that suit the place together with local people, rather than forcing or simply copying your experience from home. Some jobs also require teamwork with people from many countries. The work needs advanced knowledge and experience, and also care for and closeness to the people of the partner country. A strong wish to use your skills to help developing countries is also important.

How much does an International Development Specialist earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥5,833,100 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The figure is for the wage survey group Specialist professionals not classified elsewhere, which covers several jobs.

Do you need a degree to become an International Development Specialist?

Usually. In this job's census occupation group, 67% of workers are university graduates.

Will AI change the work of an International Development Specialist?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026