Pros
Working to end NTDs is no easy feat. The mission of the organization was definitely a huge reason why I decided to work at the END Fund. ON PAPER, if you have a passion for global health, and want to transform communities and systems, the END Fund is the place to be. Team members are very kind and welcoming. There’s a real push to create an inclusive space for everyone (now whether that is the case in reality, differs based on a couple of factors). The organization has made a push in recent years to have more staff based in program / priority countries. Kudos to the END Fund because the commitment to do this is truly becoming a hallmark of the organization. This is definitely commendable, especially with the overall shift to decolonize global health. Summer Fridays (getting to end early on Fridays) is also a plus and the new HR lead is a step in the right direction. The organization is also big on celebrating people and acknowledging them, so everyone gets to know about the great work being done within/across departments. The END Fund also accommodates various type of remote working arrangements and you’ll meet / work with talented folks here! This is a place that you will learn and grow in some way or the other - whether it is a hard skill and/or soft skill. Collaboration is also a plus, since you often get to work across departments on different projects! Lastly, funding is a big plus. The END Fund is extremely well-funded and the goal is to end NTDs by 2030, so you have some degree of job security! If you are looking to work at a place that is really pushing to be innovative and testing new things out, the END Fund can be that place for you. There's a lot going on and it's a good place to get your feet wet as long as you have the skill, passion, and dedication.
Cons
Before I get into the cons, I must say that there is no perfect organization, and that the END Fund might be for some, and not for others. Just like any organization, the END Fund has been trying to get better but there are some structural and organizational challenges that have not been adequately tackled. Firstly, professional growth and career development is subjective. Although there has been an attempt to standardize things, there are still some serious inequities here. Your skill set can be great, but your manager and department head have a bigger influence in determining your fate at the organization - regardless of what your background/portfolio is. Historically, there have been some departments that are way better to be a part of than others. This is an organizational issue that should be addressed because everybody should thrive regardless of the department that they find themselves in. For anybody joining, my suggestion is that you do your research and make sure you are being valued (in your role/title based on experience and also skill set). You should also make sure that you are given the highest and most competitive offer based on what your career goals are because the resources to pay you are there, even if it is not presented to you that way! Doing this, really makes a difference! Another con of the organization is that it tends to be the case (although weird) for some people with power and influence to take on passion projects and justify the need for them. This was so frustrating especially when a consultant is chosen because of personal relationships or a project is identified that does not fit into department goals/strategic plans. Burnout is very real here, so please state what your boundaries are . A lot of people leaving in recent years has also been an issue. When people leave, the least you can do is hire people to fill those roles. Instead, it is a whole reshuffle of the department and people end up taking on the workload of two-three people in their jobs. This is truly embarrassing, stressful, and needs to stop. People are not machines and expectations that are set should be realistic!