Pros
The cause is meaningful and there are some genuinely brilliant people working there who care deeply about the mission. I was lucky to work with a supportive immediate team, and there were people around me who worked hard to create a positive environment where they could.
Cons
The wider organisation is let down by poor senior leadership, weak strategy and a lack of clear direction. Progression wasn't transparent or based on merit - Visibility and internal relationships carried more weight than performance, contribution or experience which was frustrating for staff who were working their butts off but not necessarily part of the right circles. Heavy reliance on external consultants while internal staff were stretched and expected to manage high workloads without enough support, resource or recognition. Communication from the top was inconsistent and decision-making often was reactive rather than strategic which created unnecessary pressure on teams and contributed to a difficult culture. Staff turnover appears to be a recurring issue and there was no accountability at senior level for why people leave.