Gulf Region Donor Engagement Specialist (Shared Services)

Organization: War Child International Closing date: 11 Aug 2026 Your mission The role leads War Child Alliance Foundation’s (WCAF) engagement with institutional and strategic donors in the Gulf region, driving the development of partnerships and funding opportunities to support organisational growth and impact. It is responsible for shaping and implementing the Gulf donor engagement approach, strengthening War Child’s positioning in the region and contributing to portfolio development and income generation. Working under the direction of the Head of Institutional Funding & Grants Delivery, the role coordinates engagement across WCAF teams and FMs, ensuring aligned approaches, effective relationship management and progression of partner and funding opportunities in a developing donor market. What you will do: • Under the leadership of the Head of Institutional Funding & Grants Delivery, lead the delivery and implementation of the Gulf Engagement Strategy, translating strategic priorities into actionable engagement plans, partnerships and funding outcomes. • Lead the development and management of donor relationships across the Gulf region, strengthening War Child’s positioning and ensuring coherent and targeted engagement across key stakeholders. • Drive pipeline development and opportunity identification in the Gulf market, proactively shaping and advancing funding opportunities in a relationship-driven and evolving donor landscape. • Lead the planning and coordination of donor engagement across the Alliance, ensuring alignment between WCAF, Members and country teams on Gulf-related opportunities and partnerships. • Use donor intelligence, market insights and trend analysis to inform engagement and opportunity development, ensuring positioning is aligned with donor priorities and regional dynamics. • Oversee the progression of Gulf funding opportunities, working closely with Programme Funding Advisors, Account Managers and Proposal Quality to ensure timely and coordinated development of proposals. • Coordinate internal stakeholders and partnerships, ensuring effective collaboration, clear roles and strong information flow across teams involved in Gulf engagement. • Support the development of partnership models and collaboration approaches suited to the Gulf context, enabling effective engagement with a diverse range of actors. • Ensure appropriate use of systems and alignment with organisational processes, working in coordination with Compliance & Performance to support visibility, tracking and reporting of Gulf opportunities. • Represent War Child in external Gulf-facing engagements, networks and forums, strengthening relationships and expanding the organisation’s presence and partnerships in the region. ROLE-SPECIFIC OR CONTEXT RESPONSIBILITIES • Act as the primary strategic focal point for Gulf donor engagement, leading coherent and coordinated engagement across the Alliance and ensuring alignment with organisational priorities. • Under the leadership of the Head of Institutional Funding & Grants Delivery, lead the delivery and implementation of the Gulf Engagement Strategy, translating strategic priorities into actionable approaches, partnerships and funding outcomes. • Lead market development in the Gulf region, driving proactive engagement and positioning in a relationship-driven donor environment and expanding War Child’s presence across priority donors and partners. • Shape and establish partnership approaches suited to the Gulf donor context, including engagement with foundations, government-linked entities and regional actors, positioning War Child effectively within an evolving funding landscape. • Drive early-stage opportunity positioning and relationship development, proactively identifying, influencing and advancing funding opportunities in contexts where formal pipelines may not yet exist. • Lead the progression of Gulf opportunities into viable funding outcomes, working collaboratively across WCAF, Members and country teams to develop partnerships, structure opportunities and support proposal processes aligned with organisational priorities. Your profile KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE Education • Relevant degree in international development, public policy, business administration or related fields. Experience • Experience in administrative support, programme coordination or research in an NGO; • Development or humanitarian setting experience; • Familiarity with donor engagement and grant management preferred. Languages • Excellent English; • Proficiency in French or another relevant language is a plus. (Technical) Knowledge • Understanding of institutional donor systems (multilateral & bilateral); • Aid-sector trends; • Project management tools; • CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce). What we offer • Location : We work with global teams with team members being based in different locations. War Child is currently operates in: Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Colombia, DR Congo, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, South Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine (soon to be registered), and Yemen. We also have offices in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Preference is given to applicants who reside and have valid working permits. War Child does not offer relocation. • Type of Contract : Local contract with salary and secondary labour conditions based on the in-country salary scale, local T&C's will apply. Why You Should Apply • Meaningful Impact : Contribute directly to improving the lives of children and families affected by conflict through quality education and long-term, sustainable change. • Professional Growth: Join a dynamic organisation that values learning, innovation, and professional development, with opportunities for capacity building and growth through the role and War Child’s global network. • Global Reach : Play a key role in scaling a ground-breaking programme across multiple conflict-affected contexts worldwide. • Collaborative & Inclusive Culture : Work alongside passionate, mission-driven colleagues in a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace that prioritises safety, fairness and equal opportunity for all. How to apply Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and cover letter in English through our career's website no later than 11/8/2026. Please note that applications will only be accepted through our careers website. To ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process, applications submitted via email will not be considered. ________________________________________________________________________________ By submitting your application you certify that all of the statements made in your application are true, complete, and correct and are made in good faith. You understand that falsifying, misrepresenting or intentionally withholding information will be grounds for rejection of your application or withdrawal of any offer of appointment or, if an appointment offer has been accepted, this will be ground for employment sanctions, such as, but not limited to, instant dismissal. In addition, you understand that you need to submit a Criminal Record Certificate and that, if you fail to submit it, no employment relationship can be established. Disclaimer • Only applications received via our website are processed. • If we appoint a suitable candidate before the given closing date, we reserve the right to remove the vacancy from our website before that date. In such a case, any responses received after that time are not processed. • It could be that during our selection process the closing date for the vacancy is extended. If so, and you have not yet heard from us, your application will remain active. About us The War Child Alliance is an international non-governmental organization committed to providing psychosocial support, child protection, youth empowerment programming and quality education to the children affected by armed conflict. We implement evidence-based interventions to empower key stakeholders—including governments, educators, caregivers, and communities—to foster children’s wellbeing, education, and self-determination. We work with global teams with team members being based in different locations. War Child is currently operates in: Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Colombia, DR Congo, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, South Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine (soon to be registered), and Yemen. We also have offices in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Learn more about War Child and our programmes https://www.warchild.net/ Safeguarding and Integrity Our work with children and at-risk adults to keep them safe is the most important thing we do. We are committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in all areas of our work. We have zero tolerance for any behaviours and practices that puts children and/or vulnerable adults at risk of abuse and/or harm. All (prospective) employees will be expected to be compliant with and sign up to our Child Safeguarding policy, our Code of Conduct and PSEA: Adults at Risk Policy. You can find the Child Safeguarding and Adults at Risk policy here: Integrity & Safeguarding - Home Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) and Belonging (DEIB) We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to ensuring that all our people and job applicants are treated fairly, irrespective of where, what or whom they were born, or of other characteristics. We want to offer a safe and inclusive workplace where all our people, especially those who are currently marginalised or underrepresented, can be themselves at work. If you have any questions about our commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) and Belonging (DEIB) do get in touch: JEDI.team@warchild.net Apply for this job