Application Cycle Concluded
The listed deadline for this opening was July 29, 2026. Application criteria, required documents, and preparation guidelines below remain active for upcoming academic cycles. Explore active live openings below.
About this opportunity
War Child International is hiring a Gulf Region Donor Engagement Specialist to lead its institutional and strategic donor relationships across the Gulf region. This role sits within the War Child Alliance Foundation (WCAF) and reports to the Head of Institutional Funding & Grants Delivery. The person in this position will shape how War Child approaches donors in a market that is still developing, turning relationships into funding that supports the organization's work with children affected by conflict. The core of this job is relationship building. Gulf donors operate differently from traditional Western institutional funders. They rely heavily on personal connections, trust, and in-person engagement. Formal funding pipelines often do not exist yet, so the specialist must identify opportunities early, nurture relationships, and help shape proposals that fit what Gulf-based foundations, government-linked entities, and regional actors want to support. This means coordinating across War Child's global teams, from country offices to proposal writers, to make sure everyone moves in the same direction. War Child International has worked since 1995 to protect and educate children living in conflict zones. The organization currently operates in Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Colombia, DR Congo, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, South Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine, and Yemen, with additional offices in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Its focus is on quality education and long-term, sustainable change for children and families affected by war. This role is part of a push to diversify funding sources and build a stronger presence in the Gulf's growing philanthropic . The position is remote-friendly, with War Child's teams spread across multiple countries. Applicants must already have the right to work in their location, as War Child does not offer relocation support. The organization prefers candidates based in countries where it already operates. Given the Gulf focus, candidates based in or familiar with the region will have an advantage, though the role itself can be performed from any of War Child's operating locations.
Responsibilities
- Lead the delivery and implementation of the Gulf Engagement Strategy, turning strategic priorities into actionable engagement plans, partnerships, and funding outcomes
- Act as the primary strategic focal point for Gulf donor engagement across the entire War Child Alliance
- Develop and manage donor relationships across the Gulf region, strengthening War Child's positioning with key stakeholders
- Drive pipeline development and opportunity identification in the Gulf market, proactively shaping funding opportunities in a relationship-driven donor
- Lead market development in the Gulf, expanding War Child's presence across priority donors and partners
- Shape partnership approaches suited to the Gulf context, including engagement with foundations, government-linked entities, and regional actors
- Drive early-stage opportunity positioning, identifying and advancing funding opportunities where formal pipelines do not yet exist
- Use donor intelligence, market insights, and trend analysis to inform engagement strategies aligned with donor priorities
- Oversee the progression of Gulf funding opportunities, working with Programme Funding Advisors, Account Managers, and Proposal Quality teams
- Coordinate internal stakeholders across WCAF, Members, and country teams to ensure clear roles and strong information flow
- Ensure proper use of systems and alignment with organizational processes, coordinating with Compliance & Performance for tracking and reporting
- Represent War Child in external Gulf-facing engagements, networks, and forums
Benefits
- Opportunity to contribute directly to improving the lives of children and families affected by conflict through quality education and sustainable change
- Professional development and capacity-building opportunities through War Child's global network
- Chance to play a key role in scaling programmes across multiple conflict-affected contexts worldwide
- Collaborative, inclusive, and respectful workplace culture that prioritizes safety, fairness, and equal opportunity
- Remote working arrangement with global teams
Requirements & Qualifications
- Relevant degree in international development, public policy, business administration, or a related field
- Experience in administrative support, programme coordination, or research within an NGO
- Experience in a development or humanitarian setting
- Familiarity with donor engagement and grant management preferred
- Excellent command of English
- Proficiency in French or another relevant language is a plus
- Understanding of institutional donor systems, both multilateral and bilateral
- Knowledge of aid-sector trends
- Experience with project management tools
- Familiarity with CRM systems such as Salesforce
How to Apply
- Review the requirements to confirm you meet the qualifications and have valid working rights in your location.
- Prepare your CV and a cover letter that highlights your experience with donor engagement, particularly in the Gulf region if applicable.
- Click the Apply button below to submit your application.
Ready to start your application?
Submit your materials before the official deadline.
Verify all official guidelines and eligibility criteria directly with the host institution before submitting. Prepare your transcript evaluation, referee letters, and motivational statement early to avoid deadline bottleneck delays.
Official Application Strategy & Recommended Tools
Selection Committee Priorities
- •Academic/Professional Alignment: Ensure your statement explicitly ties your past work in to Organization's strategic goals.
- •Leadership Evidence: Selection panels heavily weigh demonstrated initiative, community impact, or research output.
- •Financial & Language Prerequisites: Confirm if Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificates can substitute for formal standardized language test fees.
