Location: Based in Amman, Dubai and another GCC
Starting Date: August 1, 2025

Position Overview

Lapis Group is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven, and analytically minded Program Manager – Social Engagement & Philanthropy to lead growth and expansion of our work at the intersection of social impact and philanthropic partnership across the Middle East and Africa, with a core focus on the Gulf region. This includes overseeing the implementation of an emerging portfolio of relevant projects.

This is a unique role that blends business development, market intelligence, positioning, and programmatic strategy. The Program Manager will be responsible for understanding the evolving landscape of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and philanthropy in the Gulf — including key actors, trends, and funding priorities — and using that knowledge to proactively position Lapis as a partner of choice for socially impactful initiatives and meeting the needs of the sector.

The role will involve building relationships with Gulf-based donors, CSR arms of corporations, foundations, and family offices, and identifying how Lapis can support their impact goals through tailored services and campaigns. At the same time, the Program Manager will work to cultivate opportunities where these same actors may fund or support Lapis initiatives outside the Gulf, particularly in underserved or crisis-affected communities across the broader region where Lapis implements Education, Health, and Social Behavior Change initiatives and projects.

This position is ideal for someone with a strong understanding of philanthropic ecosystems in the Gulf, experience in business development and/or stakeholder engagement, and a deep interest in leveraging communications, media, and behavioral insights for social good. It requires both strategic thinking and tactical execution — navigating high-level conversations, generating partnership ideas, and contributing to concept development and funding proposals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program & Project Management
   • Lead the design, execution, and monitoring of social engagement and philanthropic partnership projects.
   • Ensure project plans, budgets, timelines, and donor reporting requirements are met with high quality, in coordination with the Senior Operations & Projects Manager.
   • Manage reporting processes and ensure delivery of high-quality outputs in line with project objectives and donor expectations.
   • Supervise relevant consultants and coordinate with external partners engaged in program delivery.
   • Ensure clear workflows and promote collaborative team dynamics.
   • Foster a collaborative team culture grounded in creativity, accountability, and continuous learning
2. Technical Expertise and Field Knowledge in Social Engagement & Philanthropy
   • Build and maintain up-to-date knowledge of the philanthropic and CSR ecosystem in the Gulf, including key actors, funding mechanisms, and areas of strategic focus.
   • Track and analyze sectoral trends, shifts in donor behavior, and emerging priorities across philanthropy and CSR that could inform Lapis’ offerings and engagement strategies.
   • Identify and map gaps, challenges, or under-addressed issues within the field that align with Lapis’ capabilities and could serve as entry points for future collaboration or funding.
   • Translate insights from the field into actionable opportunities for concept development, partnership building, and tailored service offerings.
3. Representation & Business Development
   • Cultivate relationships with philanthropic foundations, CSR departments, social enterprises, and other relevant actors across the Gulf region and beyond
   • Represent Lapis in donor platforms, conferences, strategic roundtables, and other external engagements to increase visibility and credibility.
   • Lead or contribute to the development of concept notes, technical proposals, and partnership decks aligned with identified interests and funding priorities.
   • Proactively identify new opportunities for collaboration and funding, informed by trends in the philanthropic and CSR sectors.
   • Support Lapis’ positioning as a trusted service provider and thought partner for actors seeking to design or fund impactful programming in and beyond the Gulf.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in development studies, Marketing, Business Development, Communications, or another related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in business development and managing programs focused on philanthropy, CSR, or social impact.
• Experience working with or engaging corporate and philanthropic partners.
• Strong understanding of partnership development, donor engagement, and funding ecosystems in the Gulf.
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver multi-stakeholder projects with measurable impact.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Arabic is a strong asset.

Key Competencies

• Strong strategic and analytical thinking.
• Ability to translate market insights into action-oriented opportunities.
• Stakeholder engagement and partnership-building skills.
• Excellent project planning, coordination, and execution abilities.
• Business development mindset with strong communication and proposal writing skills.
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and professionalism.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and cover letter detailing your experience and qualifications to [email protected] and include “Program Manager – Social Engagement & Philanthropy” in the subject line. The
deadline for applications is June 15, 2025. Please note applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.