Executive Director, Gulf Partnerships And Engagement

JOB SUMMARY:

Location: Doha preferred, with travel across the region

Reports to: Chief of Staff to the CEO

Contract Type: Full-time, international position

The Executive Director, Gulf will lead the development of CARE’s regional Gulf presence, set strategic priorities and build long-term partnerships across government, philanthropy, development finance, Islamic finance, and the private sector.

As the global development sector navigates shifting geopolitical dynamics and evolving funding landscapes, this role will connect Gulf institutions’ priorities with CARE’s expertise, evidence, and global reach. It will translate shared priorities into partnerships, programs, and financing opportunities that advance women’s and girls’ economic opportunities, humanitarian response, and resilience.

The position will advance CARE’s 2030 Impact Strategy by securing funding, mobilizing complementary capital, and developing partnerships that strengthen delivery and support government and local ownership.

Working with CARE’s President & CEO, Chief Revenue Officer, and program and finance leaders, the Executive Director will build CARE’s presence, influence, and strategic voice across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. The role combines regional leadership, senior relationship development, policy engagement, and business development, with a focus on turning shared ambitions into substantial, lasting collaborations.

The Executive Director will help develop innovative financing approaches and compelling partnership propositions grounded in CARE’s country experience and technical capabilities. As CARE’s Gulf engagement grows, the Executive Director will recruit, lead, and develop a regional team.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and lead CARE’s Gulf Strategy, setting priorities for regional presence, strategic partnerships, influence, and capital mobilization.
• Establish and strengthen CARE’s regional presence from Doha, maintaining sustained engagement across the GCC.
• Shape CARE’s positioning as a trusted partner on women’s economic empowerment, humanitarian response, and sustainable development, articulating a compelling value proposition grounded in evidence and delivery capabilities.
• Align regional engagement with CARE’s strategic priorities, embedding women’s and girls’ outcomes across the partnership portfolio.
• Identify flagship opportunities where Gulf partnerships can expand impact, mobilize additional capital, and strengthen national and local institutions.
• Lead advocacy, policy dialogue, and humanitarian diplomacy with regional actors, drawing on CARE’s evidence and field experience.
• Analyze political, economic, policy, and financing developments across the GCC, advising senior leadership on emerging opportunities and strategic risks.
• Bring regional perspectives and partner priorities into CARE’s global strategy, programme development, and financing

Partnership Development & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and manage long-term partnerships with Gulf governments, development agencies, foundations, corporations, family offices, development finance institutions, and Islamic finance actors.
• Develop engagement with priority regional institutions, including KSrelief, Qatar Fund for Development, Education Above All, Emirates Red Crescent, Qatar Charity, and the Islamic Development Bank.
• Develop tailored partnership strategies around shared priorities, opportunities for co-design, and mutually agreed outcomes.
• Represent CARE in high-level regional and international forums, policy dialogues, and strategic networks.
• Convene Gulf and global partners around concrete opportunities for collaboration, maintaining momentum from initial dialogue through implementation.
• Facilitate…