If the funders of NGOs stopped considering us as “projects” and started to value the human resources needed to deliver outputs, this would help build more career development possibilities within NGOs.
So while managers of NGOs should be fully in line with good management policies, the funding models could further boost this.
The size of the NGO will also determine the working conditions and career development possibilities. I once had a policy officer in a team of 6 ask me about becoming deputy director, which made no sense in such a small structure and given the nature of work in the NGO.
In bigger structures where there are different hierarchical levels, you can also increase responsibilities more I believe.