Dalberg careers offer a unique opportunity to combine purpose with consulting, making it an ideal fit for those passionate about having a positive impact on the world.
Dalberg partners with governments, companies, and communities worldwide to drive innovative, scalable solutions for pressing issues, such as agricultural transformation in Africa or renewable energy strategy in Myanmar.
If you’re looking to make a meaningful difference while working in an inclusive, dynamic environment, Dalberg might be the perfect place for your next career move.
In this article, we’ll discuss:
- What you can expect from Dalberg careers, including their work and culture
- What the Dalberg career path looks like
- Potential exit opportunities to pursue after Dalberg careers
- 4 tips on landing Dalberg jobs
Let’s get started!
What Does Dalberg Do?
Dalberg is a global consulting firm focused on creating positive, sustainable social and economic impact. Established in 2001, Dalberg partners with governments, international organizations, non-profits, and private institutions to create systemic changes by addressing the root causes of pressing issues, such as climate change, lack of economic development, and barriers to access to education.
Dalberg has served clients in over 135 countries, leveraging their deep expertise across sectors and analytical, strategic capabilities to address critical global issues. It has over 600 professionals across 28 offices, such as New York City, Washington DC, London, Paris, Singapore, New Delhi, and Johannesburg.
Dalberg Group is a global collective of 6 divisions that work together to deliver a holistic approach to social impact:
- Dalberg Advisors is the group’s core consulting arm and the focus of this article, Dalberg Advisors provides strategic guidance and actionable recommendations to its clients to solve global challenges.
- Dalberg Data Insights specializes in data analytics and visualization. This group leverages data science to develop data-driven insights to tackle issues like disease outbreak prediction, financial inclusion, and disaster response to create social and economic impact.
- Dalberg Design focuses on human-centered design. Dalberg Design uses a creative problem-solving approach to craft programs and services that promote social impact, involving people and communities at every stage of development to ensure that solutions are effective and sustainable.
- Dalberg Media works to amplify the reach of social impact initiatives by creating compelling narratives and communication strategies. They aim to inspire action and create global awareness around critical issues like climate change and gender equity. Dalberg Media collaborates with partners to design brand strategy, campaigns, and multimedia content.
- Dalberg Research focuses on gathering and analyzing high-quality data, Dalberg Research supports evidence-based decision-making for social and economic development. The team conducts and publishes research to provide deep insights into complex social impact issues.
- Dalberg Implement turns recommended strategies into actionable, on-the-ground results. By managing programs and implementing projects directly, Dalberg Implement ensures that plans turn into actionable outcomes, whether scaling up an initiative, managing partnerships, or executing development strategies in local regions.
What is Social Impact Consulting?
Dalberg operates within a specialized field of consulting called “social impact consulting.” Unlike traditional management consulting, which focuses on enhancing an organization’s performance and profitability to gain a competitive edge, social impact consulting is geared toward fostering positive societal outcomes. It addresses complex, systemic challenges like healthcare accessibility, poverty reduction, and sustainable development, ensuring that the benefits extend to communities and all stakeholders involved.
We have a deep dive into Social Impact Consulting if you want to learn more about this exciting field.
Type of Work You Can Do in Your Dalberg Career
Dalberg works across several sectors such as healthcare, education, financial inclusion, agriculture, and energy, offering a wide array of services like strategy development, policy analysis, data insights, investment advisory, and organizational management.
Let’s look at examples of projects you could work on at Dalberg:
- Identify investment opportunities in the energy sector in Kenya for a leading multinational energy company by assessing relevant opportunities, creating a framework for opportunity prioritization, and developing investment proposals.
- Develop market entry strategies for a global healthcare company aiming to launch 2 new products in East Africa and Asia markets.
- Support government organizations by identifying challenges in the creative industries sector and developing a strategy to improve business knowledge and create new job opportunities for artisans.
A testament to Dalberg’s tangible results is the number of lives its projects have impacted. Dalberg has enabled the development of literacy skills for over 15 million children in Africa and undertaken job creation initiatives that are projected to create 25 million jobs for the youth in Africa over the next 5 years.
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Dalberg Culture and Values
Dalberg’s culture is built on collaboration, diversity, equity, and inclusion. It believes in creating an environment where its employees can reach their full potential and remain committed to creating a positive impact on the world through systemic change. With a team of consultants from across 60 countries, who speak 90+ languages, and a leadership team that’s over 40% female, the firm is dedicated to fostering diverse perspectives and equal opportunities.
The firm’s values are:
- Make Real Impact: Tackle the most pressing challenges to create positive, systemic change that will last for generations.
- Engage With Humility: Work with local communities and global networks to find equitable and inclusive solutions; learn and evolve from mistakes.
- Speak Honestly: Speak the truth, even if difficult or unpopular; practice transparency and openness while maintaining independence of thought.
- Support People and Nurture Talent: Emphasize staff well-being, celebrate diversity, and develop global leaders.
- Act Boldly: Develop innovative approaches and push boundaries with a commitment to action.
If these resonate with you, considering Dalberg jobs could be a great next step for you.
Dalberg Career Path
The typical entry points into Dalberg are after undergraduate or graduate school. However, the company also occasionally hires for more senior roles, such as Senior Consultant and Project Manager positions. The general Dalberg career path is:
- Analyst (~1 to 1.5 year tenure): This is the entry point for undergraduate hires. Analysts are responsible for conducting research, analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, and developing presentations.
- Associate Consultant (~1 year tenure): Associate consultants can do analyst work and also perform additional responsibilities, such as owning smaller workstreams and getting involved in developing client recommendations.
- Consultant (~1 to 1.5 year tenure): This is the entry position for graduate students (e.g., MBA, MPA, MPP). Consultants lead research and analysis efforts to establish the team’s base knowledge around the project and drive solutions. They work closely with managers and clients to develop innovative, impact-oriented strategies.
- Senior Consultant (~2 year tenure): To be eligible for the senior consultant position, candidates must have a graduate degree (e.g., MBA, MPA, MPP) and at least 4 years of management consulting experience. Senior consultants lead workstreams, propose and apply problem-solving frameworks to address key issues faced by the client, develop recommendations, and maintain relationships with clients.
- Project Manager/Senior Project Manager (~2 year tenure): They lead teams in solving complex problems faced by the client. These managers act as the bridge between junior team members and senior management, overseeing work streams, coaching teams, and ensuring high-quality client deliverables through clear and insightful communication with diverse stakeholders.
- Associate Partner (~2 to 3 year tenure): Associate partners provide strategic guidance to consultant teams, ensuring high-quality project delivery while managing key client relationships and winning more projects. In addition to overseeing projects, they mentor and coach junior staff as a part of their professional development to contribute to the firm’s growth.
- Partner: They are responsible for thought leadership, building the firm’s reputation and expertise through knowledge development, managing client relationships, and securing new clients for the firm.
Dalberg consultants are supported through continuous mentorship and coaching. Training begins with an orientation that introduces new staff to the firm and builds essential technical skills. Throughout their career, consultants participate in both formal sessions and informal on-the-job learning within case teams and in the office. This focuses on core consulting skills like problem structuring, research planning, and effective presentations. Dalberg also hosts global training programs when staff transition into new roles, such as consultants, managers, or partners, alongside regional retreats that have a strong emphasis on training.
Exit Opportunities: What Comes Next After Dalberg?
A career at Dalberg opens many doors in both the public and private sectors. The social impact focus of the firm provides consultants with a unique skill set that will be valued in several industries.
Some potential exit opportunities include:
- Government and Policy Roles: Work with government organizations to implement change, focusing on areas such as public health, education reform, and environmental policy.
- Social Enterprises/Non-Profits: Transition to leadership roles in social enterprises or non-profit organizations, to continue to work on projects aimed at addressing global challenges by strategizing and implementing initiatives.
- Social Entrepreneurship: Launch ventures focused on social or environmental issues, such as tech startups designed to address healthcare challenges or social enterprises working in renewable energy.
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Teams: Join CSR roles within large corporations and drive the company’s social and environmental initiatives.
- Impact Investor: Leverage experience in designing and evaluating socially responsible investments which create social or environmental impact, while also generating financial returns.
- Graduate Education: Pursue graduate education to deepen expertise in relevant fields such as management, business, and policy-making. Dalberg supports candidates pursuing this path by providing them with mentorship throughout the application process.
Some examples of Dalberg alumni and their current roles:
- Sanchali Pal is the Founder & CEO of “Commons,” an app that helps people track and lower their carbon footprint and get rewarded for making sustainable spending choices.
- Neil Yeoh is the Founder & CEO of “OnePointFive,” a sustainability advisory and training company that brings together experts from different fields to help organizations grow sustainably while reducing emissions.
- Kabir Nanda currently serves as Director of Corporate Strategy and Public Affairs at “Nature’s Fynd,” a food-tech company focusing on the sustainable production of alternative proteins, using only a fraction of the resources required in traditional agriculture.
4 Tips for Applying for Dalberg Careers
1. Demonstrate Passion for Social Impact
Dalberg is driven by its mission to create lasting social change, hence applicants need to demonstrate a deep commitment to addressing social impact challenges. Highlight prior work experience, volunteer work, or even personal projects that align with Dalberg’s mission and values. Make sure to articulate how your passion aligns with their mission during the application process.
2. Showcase Your Global Perspective
With projects across 135 countries and a diverse team of consultants, Dalberg values candidates who bring a global outlook. If you’ve studied abroad, learned new languages, or worked in cross-cultural environments, be sure to showcase these experiences. Demonstrating your ability to navigate different cultural contexts will show that you’re well-suited for Dalberg’s international projects.
3. Highlight Teamwork & Collaboration Skills
Projects at Dalberg often involve working with diverse stakeholders, from government officials to grassroots organizations. Highlight experiences where you have worked with teams of varying backgrounds, bridging gaps and aligning goals to achieve shared outcomes. Your ability to foster collaboration and navigate different viewpoints will be valued.
4. Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills Through Case Interviews
Dalberg looks for candidates with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to conduct rigorous analyses, especially since many of their projects deal with complex, unstructured problems with limited data. During case interviews, focus on demonstrating how you can structure your thoughts, break down ambiguous situations step-by-step, and effectively analyze quantitative data.
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In this article, we’ve covered:
- Insights about Dalberg careers, including their work and culture
- What does a Dalberg career path look like
- Potential exit opportunities to pursue after Dalberg careers
- 4 tips on landing Dalberg jobs
Still have questions?
If you have more questions about Dalberg careers, leave them in the comments below. One of My Consulting Offer’s recruiters will answer them.
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Get access to Exclusive Free Training on passing consulting case interview.
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Exclusive Free Training on passing consulting case interview.
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