Executive Assistant

A unique, remote, part-time opportunity for a mission-driven, freelance EA to support the founders of a fast-growing humanitarian NGO.

About Children Not Numbers

The escalating crisis in Gaza has left thousands of children in urgent need of medical care, trauma support, and long-term assistance. Children Not Numbers is a grassroots medico-legal NGO committed to the health, safety, education, and wellbeing of Gaza’s children.

Children Not Numbers was established in February 2024 by Sarah Ben Tarifite and Somaya Ouazzani, founders and co-directors, who were driven by the urgent need to support Palestinian children caught up amid an unprecedented conflict. In just over 12 months, the organisation has grown rapidly into a global network of over 115 staff and volunteers, most of whom are volunteer paediatric medics representing more than 30 subspecialties.

Their work includes:

• Emergency medical aid for sick and injured children in Gaza, delivered through collaboration between local staff and an international network of volunteer medics

• Short-term medical evacuation for urgent and complex cases – more than 230 children have been safely evacuated to date

• Rehabilitation and trauma support for children with life-changing injuries and extreme psychological trauma

• Maternal Support Programme – over 500 women supported across 1,100+ appointments

• Education and Empowerment Programme, currently supporting 300 children in Gaza with academic and psychological care

• International advocacy, including engagement with the UN, European Commission, UK government and other international bodies

About the role

We are seeking a freelance Executive Assistant to work across both Sarah and Somaya, playing a vital role in helping the co-directors manage their time, priorities, and communications, while also providing organisational support across a fast-paced, high-growth NGO.

As an independent contractor, you will be a dynamic self-starter with excellent judgment, able to manage competing priorities at pace, stay organised across multiple workstreams, and adapt calmly to shifting demands and urgent tasks. While the co-directors will provide direction on key priorities, you’ll be expected to take ownership of your workflow and delivery—bringing strong judgment, initiative, and attention to detail to everything you do. You’ll need to move confidently across multiple workstreams, adapt quickly to change, and use sound judgment to know when to push forward independently and when to check in. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential, as is the ability to stay organised and methodical while responding flexibly to evolving demands.

Key deliverables include:

• Deliver high-quality support for day-to-day workflows, ensuring smooth coordination across multiple priorities

• Independently manage scheduling and calendar planning for the co-directors, ensuring timely updates and changes

• Coordinate meetings, including preparing agendas, compiling pre-meeting research or briefing notes, producing meeting minutes, and tracking follow-up actions

• Triage and prioritise inbound communications, including screening calls and emails for appropriate action

• Draft, edit, and refine written materials such as correspondence, reports, internal communications, and presentations

• Process and track expense claims in line with agreed systems and timelines

• Liaise with internal stakeholders and external partners to support collaboration and timely delivery of programme-related activities

• Provide logistical support for events including team retreats, donor gatherings, and community engagement initiatives, working closely with relevant teams

• Deliver administrative support across a range of organisational functions, as agreed

Contractor Requirements

To be considered for this role, it is essential that you have:

• 2+ years recent experience as an Executive Assistant to Director-level or above, ideally in a small or fast-paced organisation.

• Right to work in the UK - this is a remote, UK-based role. We are not able to offer visa sponsorship or consider overseas applications

Desirable:

• Experience of working in a charity or not-for-profit, either as an EA or in another role, is highly desirable

• Project coordination and event planning experience

Please note:

• Only candidates who meet the two essential criteria above will be contacted. Applications from those with recent experience as an Executive Assistant plus employment experience within the not-for-profit sector will be prioritised. 

• This contract is outside IR35 regulations, meaning the contractor is responsible for managing their own tax, National Insurance contributions, and compliance with relevant tax laws.

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Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so please apply ASAP. 

Children Not Numbers are partnering with Laura Macnamara at QuarterFive for this role.

Application is by CV only. Please do not send a cover letter.