Work With Us

Innovative, empowering work requires talented people to make it happen, and we are always looking for more to join our team.

Our people make it possible for us to achieve our vision and mission and implement our values. Therefore, we are always seeking out talented individuals to work with us in delivering on what we set out to achieve and to help us live up to our commitment of continuous improvement at all levels. Investing in our team ensures we are investing in the future of Kaizen.

Work at Kaizen

Our people around the world are supporting our mission and vision for a sustainable world. Join us today.

“Write your own adventure” is an informal motto at Kaizen.

Team members are presented with opportunities to stretch and grow, whether within their roles or stepping into new functions.

At Kaizen, our team members are our greatest strength, and the ability to provide everyone with the opportunities to flourish professionally is important to us. Professional success is just one way in which Kaizen cares for our team members. Equally important is having a healthy work-life balance and being part of an organization that enables staff to be their best selves at work. As such, we have made commitments intended to hold us to account as an inclusive organization.

Staff Testimonials

Whether you decide to build your career at Kaizen or we are part of your career journey, we are mindful and appreciative of the talents each person brings to the organization. We do not take for granted the impact Kaizen has on everyone who decides to work with us, regardless of tenure. Here is what some of our staff have to say.

I have been with Kaizen for more than seven years. What keeps me at Kaizen is the people and the company's vision. I have seen the organization grow in so many ways since I joined in 2015, and Kaizen has given me so many professional opportunities. I had the chance to take on leadership roles in project management and business development, support strategic growth (I revamped our internship program and co-led a new company website launch), and travel to the field with Kaizen on numerous occasions. For the past two years, I've had the privilege to work on a DC-based field project, the Partnerships Incubator, which supports USAID Missions around the world to engage local organizations and build their capacity to work with USAID. Kaizen cares deeply about localization, and our project is making a direct impact to support local and nontraditional organizations. Thank you, Kaizen!

At Kaizen, I am given the opportunity to choose my own adventure while working alongside some of the most smart and caring individuals. I can honestly say that in the last 6+ years, I have never had the same day.

I think one of the main reasons I have been at Kaizen for three years is being able to perform work that makes me happy - I get to focus on a wide range of areas, tasks, and responsibilities that allow me to grow and work with colleagues from different parts of the company. My work continues to challenge me as well as provides me with a boost of energy each and every time a new project/ task is assigned. Speaking more on the side of company culture, I think the team members that are apart of Kaizen are one of a kind - they have a passion and drive for the work they are doing which shows in their work and daily conversations.

Kaizen Culture

Spending time with colleagues is another way we build community with each other. Look at some of our past activities, many of which have become annual events. You may also notice the signature group photo pose. Just another thing that makes Kaizen, Kaizen.

Group of people standing and some sitting on the marina with blue sky and clouds above

Kaizen staff posing for a photo on a rooftop during golden hour

a group of Kaizen staff posing for a photo on a rooftop with buildings in the background

A group of Kaizen staff posing for a photo inside of a building

Kaizen staff posing for a photo in front of trees and next to a car

A group of people posing for a photo on a trail in the woods

A group of Kaizen Staff posing for a photo in front of a building

Three people pose for a photo while eating pizza in front of a ping pong table

Associate Program

Kaizen is seeking motivated undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in the field of international development to join our team. Applicants should be current students who can commit part or full-time to a semester-long internship. We recruit prior to each term, so explore our employment page to see if applications are open.

What makes the Associate Program unique?

Orientation

Associates participate in a robust Orientation Program and trainings are provided throughout the internship in topics such as budgeting, proposal writing, and project management.

Integration

Associates are integrated into project and proposal teams throughout the semester and are given significant responsibility.

Interests

Associates are encouraged to select projects and opportunities based on their regional and sectoral interests.

Structure

A flat organizational structure allows for associates to work closely with colleagues at all levels of the company. They are paired with a junior level and senior level employee for guidance and growth.

Testimonials

As someone who had never been exposed to the international development space before, I was intimidated as I began my time at Kaizen. However, with the support and kindness of my teams, I grew immensely in not only my knowledge of international development, but also my professional skillset. I was exposed to a wealth of tasks across various areas of program management, from financial reporting to recruitment. I leave Kaizen grateful for my time here and more confident in my ability to execute project initiatives!

During my summer as an associate, I enjoyed the freedom to pursue a variety of my interests at Kaizen. I worked on multiple project management teams to support Kaizen projects related to my regional and sectoral interests. I developed new professional skills and learned about many aspects of international development, building upon my academic and professional experiences. Kaizen’s collaborative and supportive culture made it a great place to work, and the people here are amazing.

In my time at Kaizen, I have had the opportunity to learn extensively about the field of international development while gaining practical experience in program management and USAID contracts. The Kaizen Associate Program gives you the chance to “choose your own adventure” of sorts by allowing you to set attainable objectives and try out any aspect of the company that interests you, from business development to an array of specific working groups.

I will admit that before Kaizen, I didn’t know much about international development outside of a class I had taken two semesters before. Being a part of the associate program at Kaizen on the PCDS and MELA teams has aided me both professionally and personally. I have a much better understanding of the way the international development field is pivoting to create positive impact as well as a much clearer personal understanding of where I want my career to go.

Our Commitment

As a member of Tetra Tech, Kaizen is committed to ensuring that we operate inclusively. As such, we have publicly committed to different initiatives to hold us accountable for being inclusive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where would I submit my application?

Thank you for your interest in a position with Kaizen, due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to follow up with every applicant. However, we will be evaluating your candidacy for the position, and should we wish to proceed with you, then a member of our team will reach out to you.

What happens to my application after I submit for a position?

Once candidates submit their application to an open position, then their resumes and information goes into our applicant tracking system. The information will stay in the system and can be accessed by our team for any reporting purposes.

Where is the HQ office located?

Kaizen HQ office is in Arlington, Virginia.

What is the remote work policy?

Kaizen HQ staff are fully remote with the option to go into our Arlington, VA office as needed.

Who do I contact about partnering opportunities?

Our Business Development team leads on partnering conversations, they can be reached at [email protected].

Where can I find procurement opportunities?

Procurement opportunities are posted under the Grants and Procurement Opportunities page.

Is Kaizen for me?

Kaizen is for you if you are seeking a workplace where you want to be collaborative, roll up your sleeve and stretch yourself. Founded with entrepreneurial spirit, Kaizen strives to ensure that we are always seeking out ways to improve or innovate on what we have done. Those who experience success at Kaizen are not afraid to take on new challenges and contribute to providing solutions to any given issues. We are led by our Vision, Mission and Core Values, and have found that anyone who can align with them will find Kaizen the right place for them.

How many employees does Kaizen have?

As our team continues to growth, this number changes, but we currently around 180 employees worldwide.

What does “Kaizen” mean?

Kaizen is a concept meaning “ongoing improvement at all levels, at all times.” Continues improvement at the heart of what we do.

Create a sustainable future with us

Our people around the world are supporting our mission and vision for a sustainable world. Join us today.