Social Work Jobs Abroad

The advantages of social work jobs abroad can outweigh the lack of a financial reward. Success -- and the satisfaction that comes with it -- in all fields of social work is dependent on the knowledge of, and familiarity with, human behavior. Challenging yourself to learn in a different cultural context through social work abroad will widen your perspective and experiences, show you new ways to practice old skills, and show you how other professionals treat seemingly universal problems and conditions.

There is a worldwide need for social workers, and the geography often depends on the specialty in the field of social work.

Africa. The west African countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone are reeling from the Ebola epidemic, and need help from social workers in all areas, but especially from those with experience in mental health and survivor issues. In many African countries, such as South Africa, there are opportunities for international social work jobs in mentoring, counseling, and educating local children.

Europe. The U.K., and especially London, are excellent starting places for someone recently graduated with a social work degree, because you can submit an application through the General Social Care Council, the governing or licensing body that sets standards for social workers in the U.K., and be matched to a social work job that fits you best. This council also makes sure international social workers are guided through the necessary paperwork and permits.

Oceania. There is also a shortage of qualified social workers in New Zealand, in part because of a new government emphasis on child protective services and a fairly recent emphasis on improving the welfare and socio-economic position of the indigenous Māori population.

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty of social work jobs abroad, shall we?

What makes these jobs valuable abroad versus in your home country. The advantages of social work jobs abroad can outweigh the lack of financial reward. Success—and the satisfaction that comes with it—in all fields of social work is dependent on the knowledge of, and familiarity with, human behavior. Challenging yourself to learn in a different cultural context through social work abroad will widen your perspective and experiences, show you new ways to practice old skills, and show you how other professionals treat seemingly universal problems and conditions.

Professional benefits you can gain. International social work jobs will quickly expose you to all sorts of new skills. In the international field, you’ll be in unfamiliar waters, meaning you will need to become adaptable and flexible. Plus, you’ll learn the ins and outs of niche areas of your field.

A day on the job. It sounds cliche, but there is no typical day with social work jobs abroad. Whether you’re working in social work abroad with refugees in a war-torn area, providing natural disaster relief, working in a school, a slum, or a hospital, every day will be educational and rewarding.

Paid international social work jobs – especially those on the grass roots level – are highly competitive and hard to land, mainly because NGOs and humanitarian organizations are stretched thin on personnel and funding and cannot afford to recruit, host, subsidize, or pay workers unless they fill a very specific and usually highly-skilled niche. Social work job candidates most sought after are those who already have several years of experience in their own countries, and some international volunteer experience. Often, the first step toward a career in international social work is getting a foot in the door as a volunteer.

In the U.S., the U.K., Australia or Western Europe, a social worker with a Master’s degree or who is a licensed clinical social worker and has some experience can expect to find a starting social work job salary in the range of $30,000 to $40,000 a year, a child protective services worker between $25,000 and $47,000 a year, and a school social worker or drug abuse counselor (in the public field) somewhere between $25,000 and $47,000 a year (keep in mind all salaries are dependent on specific locations and experience).

Paid international social work jobs – especially those on the grass roots level – are highly competitive and hard to land, mainly because NGOs and humanitarian organizations are stretched thin on personnel and funding and cannot afford to recruit, host, subsidize, or pay workers unless they fill a very specific and usually highly-skilled niche. Social work job candidates most sought after are those who already have several years of experience in their own countries, and some international volunteer experience. Often, the first step toward a career in international social work is getting a foot in the door as a volunteer.

In the U.S., the U.K., Australia or Western Europe, a social worker with a Master’s degree or who is a licensed clinical social worker and has some experience can expect to find a starting social work job salary in the range of $30,000 to $40,000 a year, a child protective services worker between $25,000 and $47,000 a year, and a school social worker or drug abuse counselor (in the public field) somewhere between $25,000 and $47,000 a year (keep in mind all salaries are dependent on specific locations and experience).