Chemonics International : Entry Level Professional Program

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About the Program

Find out here about our Entry Level Professional Program and what we look for in candidates.

Apply to the Program

We only accept applications through our online system. If your qualifications match our current requirements, we will contact you directly. Click the link above to begin the two-step process.

Application Checklist

Before you submit your application, make sure you’ve answered the following questions and familiarized yourself with our process.

Program Highlights

Find out about professional development opportunities at Chemonics.

Associate Profiles

Learn about the different roles entry level professionals play at Chemonics.

Frequent Questions

Still have questions? We’ve provided answers to those most commonly asked.

Frequent Questions


	What is the ELP Program? How does the ELP Program recruitment process work? What if I am not a U.S. national? Am I at a disadvantage if I do not have a master’s degree? Do you hire people from outside of the Washington, D.C. area? What do you look for in candidates? How long is the ELP Program? How can I update my application to the ELP Program? How can I find out about the status of my application? What if six months has elapsed and I have not heard anything? What positions do you hire for? Do you have an internship or co-op program?


	What is the ELP Program? The ELP Program is a professional development initiative at Chemonics that aims to consistently recruit candidates qualified for entry-level positions and provide them with guidance and support to further their professional growth. The work performed and support provided offer individuals a strong foundation to our business so they can build on that knowledge and advance as Chemonics professionals. » Back to top


	How does the ELP Program recruitment process work? As entry-level professional positions become available, we review resumes submitted through the online application process to identify candidates whose skills most closely match the scope and criteria of open positions. The recruitment process includes a telephone interview, a standardized test and, when applicable, a language test, a panel interview, and reference and background checks. The standardized test takes about one-and-a-half hours to complete and consists of three parts: contract analysis, budget analysis, and the writing of a letter. The language test consists of a 30-minute written section and a 30-minute oral section. Since each department has different staffing needs, it is difficult to offer a specific timeframe for when a candidate may be considered. Chemonics receives more applications than available openings; therefore, we are unable to contact all applicants for interviews. Applications remain active for six months. » Back to top


	What if I am not a U.S. national? There is an abundance of individuals qualified for entry-level professional positions in the United States. As a result, U.S. immigration guidelines make it difficult to provide special visas to foreign nationals for these positions. Therefore, Chemonics does not sponsor work authorization visas for entry-level professional positions and requires that individuals offered employment in the United States provide proof of work eligibility and identification. » Back to top


	Am I at a disadvantage if I do not have a master’s degree? Not at all. Depending on the needs of a particular position or the makeup of a particular department, some recruitment panels will look for people with master’s degrees while others will not. In fact, to date, about half of those hired through the program have master’s degrees while the rest hold a bachelor’s degree. » Back to top


	Do you hire people from outside of the Washington, D.C., area? We do. However, candidates must finance their own travel to Washington for testing and interviewing as well as relocation expenses if hired. » Back to top


	What do you look for in candidates? We look for people who are passionate about our mandate—to help people live healthier, more productive, and more independent lives—and have experience or an academic degree in a relevant field. Because most of the work we do is team-based, we look for people who work well in teams and have good interpersonal skills. We also look for people who take initiative and share innovative ideas. Candidates must possess cultural sensitivity as our work is international. Knowledge of a foreign language is helpful but not required. Because the job of an entry-level professional is administrative at its core, we look for well-organized and detail-oriented people. And, we look for individuals who display the characteristics of a Chemonics professional: versatility, leadership, and integrity. » Back to top


	How long is the ELP Program? During the first year of employment, we provide an extra layer of support to facilitate the professional development of each entry-level professional. At the end of a year, employment at Chemonics continues but professional development support is then provided through our Chemonics Professional Program. Participation in the ELP program is not connected to promotion potential, which is based on performance and the availability of open positions. » Back to top


	How can I update my application to the ELP Program? If any of your information has changed (contact information, experience, etc.), submit a new application through our online application process. The new submission will override any past submissions. This ensures that we have the most up-to-date information against which to compare our staffing needs. » Back to top


	How can I find out about the status of my application? Upon submission of your application, you will receive an e-mail confirming that your application was received. If you are considered by one of our recruitment panels, we will contact you either by e-mail or telephone. Otherwise, your application will remain active for six months. Please keep in mind that hiring for entry-level professional positions is driven by the needs of our departments, and we are not able to predict when there will be a position fitting your skills and qualifications. » Back to top


	What if six months has elapsed and I have not heard anything? The ELP Program is highly competitive and not everyone is contacted. Additionally, because each position requires a particular set of skills and experiences, it may be that a position appropriate to your skills and experience has not yet become available. If you are still interested and available, please re-submit an application through our online application process. » Back to top


	What positions do you hire for? The ELP Program hires professionals for diverse positions across the company. Many people focus on Chemonics’ regional divisions, but our support divisions also provide great opportunities for getting to know the business, networking throughout the company, and participating in exciting initiatives. We hire professionals for positions that range in scope and perspective. Entry-level professionals help support our field projects, develop proposals for new business, facilitate internal and external training sessions, procure equipment, solve information technology problems, and edit proposals and reports that we provide to our main client, USAID, among other tasks. » Back to top


	Do you have an internship or co-op program? Chemonics hires students on a short-term basis periodically for specific tasks. Interested students should visit our internship application page. Internships are not guaranteed and are based on workload demands. » Back to top If you are having trouble submitting your application, please contact us at newhire@chemonics.com. Please do not send resumes or applications.