GDF has a wide and varied mandate of operation that can be classified in different areas.

On a spatial plane, three levels can be identified, namely local, regional and international. The local level refers to GDF's operations in Jordan; on a regional level GDF has a mandate to perform tasks in Gaza and the West Bank and expands into the whole Middle East area (border operations are also possible though presently not envisaged). Internationally, GDF has an operational office in the U.S. where it is registered as a Private Voluntary Organization (PVO). 

GDF's operational policy is to encourage co-operation and joint ventures with other local, regional and international organizations and institutions. The scope of tasks that GDF performs spans from the early stages of project planning to the stages of project evaluation. 

While GDF in principle prefers to implement projects from the very start to the final stage, it is also prepared to act on and perform single components only. Besides tasks directly linked to the project cycle, GDF has special expertise in conducting: analytical surveys; workshop and seminar preparation and execution; organizational analyses; and expanding technical training.