Great work, little employee retention - Anonymous employee DAI Employee Review

2.0
3 Nov 2018
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

DAI is a wonderful place to build experience in the international dev sector, work with passionate colleagues within a culturally diverse and dynamic sector. Some potential for travel and opportunities to take initiative and build skills. Brings in smart, educated and forward thinking young professionals.

Cons

The CEO focuses on profit over people. Rather than investing in professional development of staff, paying a competitive salary or trying to retain talented staff, the focus is on “winning” and boosting profit. HR and the culture has little flexibility, especially regarding working from home or travel compensation. This means living affordable in London is not an option.

Explore other reviews about DAI

5.0
26 Jan 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Highly professional, top notch technical experts in several fields

Cons

Work subject to USG funding

4.0
6 Feb 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Strong culture of integrity. Absolutely spectacular colleagues. Super interesting work.

Cons

Basically denuded of staff due to USAID cuts. Upper management had become obsessed with performance against metrics that were poorly fit to the business, and were focused entirely on how they might meet those metrics this week, without looking ahead to how to make structural improvements over the longer term.

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