Student Programs Coordinator

Role overview

Operation Smile UAE, based in Abu Dhabi, is seeking a motivated, organized, and proactive Student Programs Coordinator to strengthen and expand youth engagement initiatives across the UAE and, where relevant, the wider MENA region.

Operation Smile is an international nonprofit that delivers expert cleft surgery and comprehensive care for children and adults born with cleft conditions. Since 1982, student volunteers have played a vital part in advancing the mission by helping create a worldwide network of young people committed to service, advocacy, education, and health equity.

This position will work closely with students aged 13 to 18, school clubs, university volunteers, educators, parents, sponsors, and community partners. The coordinator will help young people progress from initial interest into meaningful participation through onboarding, training content, awareness efforts, fundraising support, leadership opportunities, conferences, and carefully structured volunteer pathways.

This is a practical, hands-on position within a small charity team in Abu Dhabi. Strong performance will be reflected in active student clubs, engaged volunteers, smoothly run events, solid school partnerships, responsible fundraising support, accurate reporting, and young people who understand volunteering as a meaningful commitment to a cause rather than a route to certificates or service-hour credit.

Key responsibilities

• Launch and support Operation Smile student clubs in schools and universities, enabling students to plan awareness, advocacy, service, and fundraising initiatives.
• Support students through application, induction, onboarding, and online learning steps that lead to volunteer and ambassador participation.
• Develop and maintain relationships with schools, universities, educators, parents, student leaders, and community partners.
• Deliver or arrange age-appropriate presentations for schools and universities on Operation Smile, cleft care, volunteering, advocacy, and student leadership.
• Assist with student fundraising efforts and help ensure donations and proceeds are managed responsibly and in line with UAE charity requirements.
• Spot and develop sponsorship, partnership, and in-kind support opportunities for student events, conferences, and youth leadership activities.
• Help plan and deliver student events, workshops, U-Lead-style leadership activities, conferences, and possible regional student programs across MENA.
• Support student participation in awareness campaigns, advocacy projects, and educational activities connected to Operation Smile’s mission.
• Monitor program spending, keep records updated, assist with budget preparation, and compile reports on participation, fundraising, activities, KPIs, and outcomes.
• Communicate effectively and consistently with students, schools, parents, volunteers, sponsors, and the Operation Smile UAE team.
• Represent Operation Smile UAE in a professional manner during school visits, community events, meetings, and student activities.
• Be prepared to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends when events or conferences require it.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Strong commitment to humanitarian work, youth development, and the organization’s mission.
• Well-developed organizational, time-management, and project coordination abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Confident presentation skills and the ability to build relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Self-directed, dependable, proactive working style with strong follow-through.
• Interest, aptitude, or background in fundraising, sponsorship, partnerships, or community engagement.
• Ability to contribute effectively in a small team while managing both administrative tasks and external engagement.
• High attention to detail, especially when handling records, expenses, reporting, and follow-up.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Willingness to travel locally within the UAE.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Preferred experience and qualifications

• UAE driving licence.
• Arabic language ability.
• Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, or Urdu language ability.
• Previous work with students, schools, universities, volunteers, or youth-led clubs.
• Experience in event planning, fundraising, sponsorship, CSR, or nonprofit administration.
• Understanding of the UAE education, charity, or community engagement landscape.

What the role offers

• A purposeful opportunity to support youth leadership and cleft care that changes lives.
• The chance to grow student programs in the UAE and potentially on a regional basis.
• Direct guidance from the Executive Director.
• A collaborative, mission-driven environment within a small team in Abu Dhabi.
• Exposure to nonprofit program delivery, fundraising, events, partnerships, and youth development.
• The opportunity to help young people grow into compassionate advocates and community leaders.

Compensation and expectations

Pay will be based on the candidate’s experience, skills, and overall fit for the role. Because the organization is funded through donations, fundraising, and sponsorship, applicants are asked to keep expectations realistic and aligned with the nonprofit sector.

When sharing salary expectations, candidates should also consider the fundraising, sponsorship, and partnership support they believe they could help generate for student programs, using roughly 30% of that potential contribution as a general guide.

Additional information

This role is full-time and based onsite in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Local travel within the UAE may be required, and the schedule may occasionally include evenings or weekends for student activities and conferences.

How to apply

An online application form is required for consideration.