Global Designing Cities Initiative 2026 Remote Jobs: Three International NGO Career Opportunities for Professionals Worldwide

The Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI) has announced three exciting remote employment opportunities for professionals passionate about transforming streets, improving urban mobility, promoting sustainable transportation, and creating safer, healthier, and more equitable cities worldwide.

These international opportunities provide professionals with the chance to work remotely while contributing to high-impact urban development projects supported by globally recognized initiatives such as the Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure, and the Streets for Kids Program.

Whether you are an early-career urban designer, an experienced program leader, or a professional interested in capacity building and training, GDCI offers rewarding career opportunities that combine technical expertise, global collaboration, and meaningful social impact.

Applications are now open for three different remote positions, with deadlines in June and July 2026.

About the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI)

Founded in 2014, the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI) works to transform streets into safe, healthy, accessible, and equitable public spaces.

Its work is built around the internationally recognized Global Street Design Guide, which has helped cities across the world improve transportation systems, strengthen public spaces, enhance road safety, and build local capacity for sustainable urban development.

GDCI brings together planners, urban designers, transportation specialists, engineers, researchers, and policymakers to create people-first streets that improve quality of life in cities globally.

The organization works closely with governments, local authorities, development partners, and international organizations to deliver technical assistance, policy guidance, training, and implementation support.

1. Program Associate (Junior Level)

Location

Remote (Work from Home)

Preferred countries:

• Kenya
• South Africa

Start Date

Q3 2026

About the Role

This junior-level position supports GDCI’s regional technical assistance work across African cities. The Program Associate will work closely with Program Managers and multidisciplinary teams to coordinate projects, prepare technical designs, assist with workshops, support city engagements, and contribute to research and publications.

The role combines urban design, transportation planning, project coordination, research, and stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Produce technical street design drawings and sketches.
• Support city street design projects.
• Review local and national design regulations.
• Conduct policy and technical research.
• Develop reports, presentations, and publications.
• Assist with data collection and field observations.
• Coordinate workshops and training sessions.
• Help organize community engagement activities.
• Prepare technical documentation.
• Collaborate with government officials and local partners.
• Support project implementation and evaluation.

Ideal Candidate

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong interest in transportation planning and urban design.
• Experience using AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, or similar software.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong organizational abilities.
• Ability to work across multiple countries and time zones.
• Passion for creating safer and more sustainable cities.

Preferred Experience

Typical backgrounds include:

• Four years of relevant experience; or
• Two years of experience with a bachelor’s degree; or
• A master’s degree with little or no professional experience.

2. Associate Director – Programs & Design (Regional)

Location

Remote

Open to professionals based in:

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe

Start Date

Q3 2026

About the Position

This senior leadership role sits within GDCI’s Executive Team and oversees the successful delivery of funded global programs while maintaining the organization’s high standards in urban street design.

The Associate Director will help coordinate projects across more than 30 cities worldwide while ensuring technical quality, strong stakeholder engagement, budget oversight, and organizational leadership.

Major Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Oversee major international programs.
• Supervise multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensure design quality across projects.
• Manage relationships with global funders.
• Oversee reporting and program budgets.
• Support executive leadership.
• Represent GDCI internationally.
• Help secure future partnerships and funding.
• Strengthen internal systems and operational excellence.
• Lead professional development of staff.

Desired Profile

Successful applicants should possess:

• Extensive experience managing complex international projects.
• Strong urban design knowledge.
• Leadership and people management experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Strategic thinking and organizational management skills.
• Experience working with governments and international partners.

Typical experience includes:

• 14 years of professional experience; or
• 12 years with a bachelor’s degree; or
• 10 years with a master’s degree.

3. Capacity Building Associate

Location

Remote

Open to applicants from any time zone worldwide.

Start Date

Q3–Q4 2026

About the Position

The Capacity Building Associate will help coordinate GDCI’s global learning and training programs designed for governments, practitioners, engineers, planners, community organizations, and local leaders.

The role focuses on developing engaging learning experiences that translate technical urban design concepts into practical training materials for diverse international audiences.

Main Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Coordinate capacity-building resources.
• Support curriculum development.
• Develop workshop materials.
• Organize webinars and training sessions.
• Assist in producing online educational content.
• Coordinate multilingual learning materials.
• Support communications and digital learning resources.
• Research innovative instructional methods.
• Help improve global knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Ideal Candidate

Applicants should have:

• Passion for sustainable urban development.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong organizational abilities.
• Experience coordinating educational or training programs.
• Ability to work across cultures and international teams.
• Interest in instructional design and knowledge sharing.

Benefits of Working with GDCI

Employees joining GDCI may receive:

• Competitive salary based on country of hire.
• Comprehensive health coverage.
• Retirement benefits.
• Paid annual leave.
• Paid sick leave.
• Paid holidays.
• Flexible remote work.
• International collaboration opportunities.
• Professional growth and leadership development.
• Meaningful work that contributes to safer, healthier cities worldwide.

Working Environment

GDCI operates as a fully remote organization with staff working across multiple continents. Team members regularly collaborate across time zones while supporting projects in cities worldwide.

Depending on the position, occasional international travel may be required to support technical assistance, workshops, conferences, and stakeholder engagement.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

GDCI is committed to maintaining an inclusive workplace where diversity is valued and respected.

As a fiscally sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA), the organization provides equal employment opportunities without discrimination based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, age, national origin, or any other protected characteristic.

Application Requirements

Depending on the position, applicants may be required to submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume
• Cover letter or letter of interest
• Portfolio (for applicable positions)
• Additional samples demonstrating communication or technical skills

Applications should be submitted through the official GDCI application portal.

Application Deadlines

• Capacity Building Associate: 30 June 2026
• Program Associate (Junior Level): 15 July 2026
• Associate Director – Programs & Design: 15 July 2026

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible since applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Apply Here

Why You Should Apply

These opportunities provide professionals with the chance to contribute to transformative urban development initiatives while working remotely with one of the world’s leading organizations in sustainable street design.

Whether you are beginning your international career or looking to advance into executive leadership, GDCI offers a unique platform to collaborate with governments, international organizations, researchers, and city leaders in creating safer, more inclusive, and more sustainable cities around the world.

For more information, visit the official website

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