US Agency for International Development

President John. F. Kennedy created the United States Agency for International Development by executive order in 1961 to lead the US government’s international development and humanitarian efforts.

U.S. foreign assistance has always had the twofold purpose of furthering America's interests while improving lives in the developing world. USAID carries out U.S. foreign policy by promoting broad-scale human progress at the same time it expands stable, free societies, creates markets and trade partners for the United States, and fosters good will abroad.

USAID works in over 100 countries to:

• Promote Global Health
• Support Global Stability
• Provide Humanitarian Assistance
• Catalyze Innovation and Partnership
• Empower Women and Girls

USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID’s work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. The purpose of foreign aid should be ending the need for its existence, and we provide development assistance to help partner countries on their own development journey to self-reliance – looking at ways to help lift lives, build communities, and establish self-sufficiency.

Our efforts are both from and for the American people.

USAID demonstrates America’s good will around the world; increases global stability by addressing the root causes of violence; opens new markets and generates opportunity for trade; creates innovative solutions for once unsolvable development challenges; saves lives; and advances democracy, governance, and peace.

Our objective is to support partners to become self-reliant and capable of leading their own development journeys. We make progress toward this by reducing the reach of conflict, preventing the spread of pandemic disease, and counteracting the drivers of violence, instability, transnational crime and other security threats. We promote American prosperity through investments that expand markets for U.S. exports; create a level playing field for U.S. businesses; and support more stable, resilient, and democratic societies. We stand with people when disaster strikes or crisis emerges as the world leader in humanitarian assistance.

Our Mission: On behalf of the American people, we promote and demonstrate democratic values abroad, and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world. In support of America's foreign policy, the U.S. Agency for International Development leads the U.S. Government's international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises and progress beyond assistance.

Our long and proud history of helping developing countries and improving quality of life is underpinned by our caring, talented workforce. It is this caring that stands as a hallmark of the Agency and shows the world our true character as a nation. Today, we are the world's premier modern development enterprise, and our 21st Century workforce  find themselves doing the best work in the most amazing places, whether it is helping sick people get HIV/AIDS drugs in the most remote parts of Africa, helping farmers learn how to grow crops better in Asia, or teaching people how to govern themselves democratically.

USAID employs individuals with a wide variety of technical, managerial and operational skills to achieve our international development objectives. Our workforce is made up of direct-hire and contract employees based in the United States and at field missions around the world. We are always looking for talented people. If you are interested in working on the front lines on some of the most pressing global challenges of our times -- poverty, hunger, injustice, disease, environmental degradation, climate change and violent extremism - then USAID jobs are a great place to put your skills, education, and expertise to use.

Some of the many ways to work for USAID at the individual level include becoming a direct-hire or contract employee. Learn how you can make a difference in a career like no other. Take a moment to explore our current USAID job vacancies and learn about our benefits.