West Asia Regional Consultant
Application Pack
Join us in our mission to power the potential of young people
Global Fund for Children (GFC) works to build a world where all children and youth are safe, strong, and valued. We partner with innovative, locally-led organisations and individuals, helping them deepen their impact and mobilize their capacity for social change. By pairing flexible funding with targeted capacity development support, we help our partners grow stronger and more responsive to challenges on the ground.
Since 1997, we have invested more than $44 million in over 700 organisations. Our work advances the rights of children and youth across education, gender equity, youth power, safety and wellbeing, climate resilience, and solidarity in emergencies.
We value courage, excellence, learning, partnership, and inclusion, as well as kindness and passion. Our partners’ visions for change inspire all we do. Feedback and learning drive us to do better, and we strive to be youth-centered.
Background
We are looking for a Regional Consultant to help develop GFC’s future portfolio in West Asia. GFC has supported close to 20 community-based organizations in the region since 2005, but we have not had a thematic and networked regional program. As a global, public foundation that aims to support community-led change and elevate young people as leaders and change-makers through strengthening the work of community-based organizations and individual activists, we believe there is a need in the region for the trust-based, philanthropic approach that we bring. Largely an effect of protracted conflicts in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza, UNICEF estimates that at least a third of children living in the region are affected by conflict and violence with living in a state of war or forced displacement, a constant condition for millions of children. Even in non-conflict settings, violence against children related to harmful social norms at the household and community level and exploitation experienced during migration journeys are pervasive.
GFC recognizes that our strengths are in contributing to long-term change on social issues. Our funding is not at the scale to provide life-saving resources in acute crises and disasters nor are we structured to operate in settings of complex humanitarian emergencies or severe civil unrest. Yet, we believe that the support we provide to community-based organizations and individuals that centers children and youth and their communities is needed in this context.
Due to the diversity and complexity of the region, GFC anticipates focusing our initial programming in one or a small number of countries or territories such as Jordan, Lebanon, and/or eventually, Gaza and the West Bank. At the same time, we are open to consider possibilities elsewhere in the region that align with our areas of strengths and operational capacity.
We believe it is important to fund across issue areas with an intersectional approach, and some of the thematic concentrations where GFC is building experience are relevant to West Asia. These include educational recovery, gender justice, social and emotional learning, and mental wellbeing; early childhood development, youth-led climate justice and other forms of civic engagement; inclusion for children with disabilities; and children and youth experiencing migration.
The Role
GFC is seeking a consultant to partner with our Programs and Strategic Partnerships teams to identify programmatic and funding opportunities in the region that align with GFC’s approach and values, build relationships with peers and networks in the region; and provide information and advice about the most promising areas for GFC’s investment considering our experience and strengths.
What will you be doing?
Programmatic Scoping
- With initial guidance from GFC, identify where and how GFC would be best-placed to engage in the region, including proposing several possible thematic or cross-cutting areas to support community-based organizations
- Draft brief concept notes related to the above and if needed, contribute to proposal development
- Identify community-based partners as possible local partners
Resource Identification
- Identify current and potential funding opportunities that align with GFC’s approach, values, and strengths
- Broker introductions to prospective funders as relevant
Networking & Stakeholder Review
- Identify and connect with peers and networks active in the region; take part in relevant conversations and meetings
Risk analysis & mitigation
- Identify risks and mitigation strategies for GFC operating in the region, including security, ability to safely make grants within legal parameters, safeguarding, political, and reputational.
About you
The ideal consultant will have in-depth experience and be based in the West Asia region, with preference for Lebanon, Jordan, and/or Gaza and the West Bank, with demonstrated knowledge of funding streams, funders, networks, and community-based organizations.
We are open to candidates with both programming and resource mobilization experience with the latter a priority for this role. If GFC is able raise sufficient funds to launch programming in the region, we will be looking for an individual to lead the work, and the consultant can opt to be considered for that role.
Essential experience and skills
- Current knowledge and experience in the social sector in West Asia, particularly in Lebanon, Jordan and/or Gaza and the West Bank.
- Professional fluency in spoken and written Arabic and English
- Fundraising experience and knowledge of the funding landscape in the region
- Residency in the region and ability to travel as needed, safety permitting
- Excellent, research, writing, and verbal communication skills
- Understanding and appreciation of the dynamics of grassroots and community-based organizations
- Understanding that GFC is NOT looking for local partners to implement projects and will be offering core support and not project-based funding.
- Understanding of the risks and dynamics of funding work in the region
- Understanding of child safeguarding and/or a willingness to learn
- Strong commitment to GFC’s mission, values and vision
Desirable experience and skills
- Experience with child and youth-related issues or programming in the region
Deliverables: These will be developed into a detailed scope of work with the successful candidate.
- Identification of relevant peers, networks, and possible community-based organizations to support
- Concept notes on relevant thematic areas
- Lists of possible funders that align with GFC’s approach
- Introduction to funders where appropriate
- Assessment report on GFC’s opportunities, considerations and risk mitigation for supporting social change that centers children and youth in the region
What we offer you
Our team dreams big.
We work together to build a world where all children and youth are safe, strong and valued.
GFC fosters a caring work environment that promotes collaboration, respect, and professional development. We set standards of excellence and quality in our work, firmly believing that children and youth deserve the best we can offer.
We believe that every person has equal rights, and we affirm the diversity that enriches our globalized world. In line with these core values, it is our policy to actively seek diverse candidates from a variety of backgrounds who are committed to Global Fund for Children’s mission.
Our values shape our vision, guide our daily decision making, and signal to the world what to expect when you encounter Global Fund for Children. We hold ourselves to these values to best serve our local partners and the children and youth they support. We attract talented people from all over the world because we believe deeply in living our values.
Rate – Fee for the project is a total of $30-35,000, depending on the number of days worked. Level of effort is estimated at 50% from mid-April to mid-December 2025. The assignment may be completed in a shorter amount of time if desired. Regional travel expenses, if any, will be reimbursed separately.
Flexible Working Location – The role is open to applicants residing in West Asia with a preference for Lebanon or Jordan. Candidates residing elsewhere will be considered in special circumstances. Candidates should be authorized to work in the country where they are living. GFC will not be able to cover relocation costs.
How to apply
How do I apply?
In line with our values of courage, passion and inclusion, to apply for this role, please share your thoughts on the following questions along with your CV through the following link: https://global-fund-for-children.breezy.hr/p/b5f2e147ac87
1) What are some strengths you would bring to this role and how does it align with your personal values?
2) Based on your current knowledge, how would you describe the prospects for GFC to support children and youth-centered work in the region?
The deadline for applications is Sunday 23 March at midnight Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
We are excited to hear from you! If you have any questions about the role, please get in touch on careers@globalfundforchildren.org.
Global Fund for Children is committed to safeguarding everyone we work with.
We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any abuse, neglect, and exploitation of all people. Everyone that works with us is required to share and uphold this commitment through signing and complying with our Global Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct. We will conduct the most appropriate pre-employment checks to ensure high standards are maintained, including a criminal history check or equivalent, where appropriate, and references.