The Middle East: ESL Program Director and Youth Mentor

Join a non-governmental organization (NGO) with nearly 20 years of program experience operating in the Middle East. You will grow both personally and professionally as you learn Arabic, study culture, and build meaningful and impactful relationships with locals from the majority faith through an already established project.  

Position Type:

• CAMA worker
• Community wellness/advocacy, education, business development 
• Urban/rural poor 
• Creative-access country (CAC) 
• Partially funded 
• Single or couple 

Responsibilities:

• Participate in two-years of full time language study with limited outside commitments during the first year 
• Continue to develop an ongoing adult ESL program as well as an after-school program for youth 
• Ensure program holistic development goals are being maintained 
• Maintain healthy working relationships with local NGO and CAMA team 
• Build and maintain healthy authentic friendships with local people 

Required Qualifications:

• A recognized bachelor’s degree 
• Completion of Alliance Polity course 
• Completion of the World Perspectives Mission Course (minimum of certificate level) or equivalent 
• A minimum Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) score of 50 
• Some type of teaching, ESL, TEFL, TESOL, or TESL certification or willingness to attain 
• Willingness to work with other projects on location to advance the mission of the NGO 
• Basic knowledge of the majority religion and desire to learn more 

Biblical Characteristics Desired:

• Ability to articulate personal conversion and call to gospel ministry 
• Demonstrated heart for the poor and marginalized (Micah 6:8) 
• Theological Alignment with The Alliance 
• Demonstrated flexibility and grace in all aspects of life 
• Vibrant spiritual life with consistent practice of spiritual disciplines 
• Ability to learn and recover from failure 

Timeline for Deployment:

Summer/fall 2026. Once appointed and fundraising and other qualifications are met, the appointee is required to attend a cross-cultural and language-acquisition program and pre-field orientation prior to deploying.

General Information:

This position is based in a seaside town of 100,000+ people, most of whom are familiar with the established center. Residential areas are more primitive. However, due to a thriving tourism industry, several amenities are available to escape daily stresses, as well as Western fast-food chains and upscale restaurants. The successful applicant(s) should be prepared for a desert climate with little to no rainfall and dry, unrelenting heat during the four months of summer when temperatures commonly reach 120ºF. During the rest of the year, the weather is pleasant. Dress varies, with most women of the majority faith wearing head coverings. Many locals and expatriates wear conservative, Western apparel. Conversion from the predominant belief system to Christianity is illegal. Therefore, workers should use caution when openly discussing their faith. Nonetheless, religion is a consistent conversation topic. Opportunities to authentically share the good news in word and deed within the context of relationships are frequent. 

Language Expectations:

Language is an essential part of ministry. Those who do not know the language will attend a language study program. The goal will be to speak, read, and write the language at a functional level in order to mentor, teach, and train others. 

Language study will be done on location with a few scheduled stays in the capital to supplement.

Health Considerations:

The city has respectable health-care facilities. Serious issues are referred to the capital, which has exceptional medical facilities and well-trained doctors. Most medications are readily available. 

Expectations for Spouse:

Spousal roles vary based on the spouse’s gifts, training, and abilities as well as the needs of the team. It is expected that both spouses will be meaningfully involved in meeting ministry objectives depending on the nature of family roles, children, etc. 

Children’s Educational Plan and Options:

The city has a growing international K–12 school with a strong British curriculum and several expatriate teachers. Instruction is given in English. It should be noted that 95 percent of the student body is Arab. There are several decent options if a family is considering Arabic emersion and a very good Montessori preschool. Homeschooling is an option, and the team could form a co-op.  

Compensation Package

The successful applicant(s) will receive a full compensation package with the expectation that, once appointed, efforts will be made to raise a portion of support costs through the applicant’s network of friends, family, local church, or other resources. Information on support costs will be made available upon application. Training and/or coaching in fundraising is available. 

Whole-Life Health

CAMA Services is the relief and development specialized structure of Alliance Missions. As part of an evangelical denomination, we are committed to biblical holism, which is modeled and reflected through our work. Due to this commitment, part of the required qualifications includes optimal emotional, spiritual, and physical health. These will be assessed during the application process. 

Important Clarification

Applicant(s) should be aware that serving in the international world often requires a higher degree of grace and flexibility. For example, overseas teams can be suddenly and unexpectedly impacted by illness, government decisions, financial realities, team changes, or other factors beyond the team’s control. The challenge for applicants is that these factors can sometimes necessitate the sudden redefining of a position, which may take place before, during, or after the application/interview process has begun or is completed.