Programme Support Specialist - Gaza Sky Geeks - Palestine
Description
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.
The Program
Gaza Sky Geeks (GSG) was started in 2011 by Mercy Corps and has grown to be the largest tech hub across all of Palestine (Gaza and the West Bank). Our purpose is to help young Palestinian individuals and tech companies to successfully build a sustainable economy in Palestine by having the skills to access the global, digital economy and bring revenue into Palestine. We achieve this by:
(1) delivering technical and employability skills training to upskill Palestinian Individuals and Tech Companies
(2) assisting Palestinian Individuals and Tech Companies to access international mentors, internships, and income-generating opportunities (projects, employment)
The Position
The Gaza Sky Geeks (GSG) Programme Support Specialist will provide support to Programme Manager in operational, reporting, business development and finance, including advice in project cycle implementation, and reporting, in alignment with Mercy Corps minimums standards.
The role will act as the connective tissue between GSG’s program teams, marketing, finance, monitoring and evaluation functions; identifying opportunities for collaboration and synergies which support external communication and deliver improved program effectiveness and efficiency.
Activities and responsibilities will include:
- Lead program communications for donors, including: scheduled donor reports in coordination with the MC report writer and PAQ team; logframes and workplans; new proposals: data management with MEL
- Lead the program the team with finance tracking, and for communication and engagement with the finance team
- contribute to the program’s external positioning, design and strategy formulation
- oversee day to day operational activities and functions to support the program
Essential Responsibilities
- Support the Programme Director and Programme Manager in leading communications for donors, including: scheduled donor reports in coordination with the MC Business Development and Grants Manager and QEL team; logframes and workplans; new proposals: data management with MEL
- Support the program team with finance tracking, and lead communication and engagement with the finance team
- Contribute to the program’s external positioning, design and strategy formulation
- Support the Program Manager by contributing to day-to-day operational activities and functions that support the program, including assistance with program tracking, website, data management.
OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Strategic foresight and day-to-day oversight of GSG WB project delivery to offer support and advice to facilitate the GSG WB program teams with fast and effective administrative, finance and procurement processing whilst managing risk and compliance.
- Ensure GSG activities and programmes align with all MC policies and processes.
- Implement and oversee tools, systems and processes which enable impact, efficiency and scale.
- Provide recommendations to senior management on the resources required to fuel and support the expanding activities and growth of the WB team and its activities. This includes but is not limited to additional programme delivery support team members, tools and and systems.
- Form strategic relationships with MC colleagues, particularly within procurement, HR, Operations and legal departments to be able to navigate systems and protocols, remove barriers and effectively communicate and advocate for GSG needs.
- Maintain appropriate GSG policies and process documentation including GSG-specific onboarding documentation and new hire set up (in collaboration with MC Palestine HR team)
- Oversee GSG operations and logistics to develop and and maintain clear and transparent documentation on GSG’s internal processes and technical tools
- Continuously review and maintain the tools GSG uses (Lastpass, Website management, Hubspot, Card System, Cloudflare etc.) to ensure these are fit-for-purpose and support program delivery
- Ensure that all tools are in compliance with MC data policies and other procurement standards
PROGRAM REPORTING
- Lead the reporting workflows and processes in coordination with the GSG team as well as with MC Palestine Grants Manager, Regional and Global program support teams
- Create background documentation including work plans, Performance Management Plans (PMPs), related qualitative data, lessons learned, challenges, and observations.
- Lead the drafting of regular internal reports, documents, and updates on the programs' activities, challenges, and results.
- Collaborate with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) team to ensure reporting is in line with the PMP and other Mercy Corps standards.
- Ensure full compliance with donor regulations and guidelines.
CONCEPT NOTE AND PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT
- Work with the Director and Program Manager to develop concepts for new proposals so that they reflect GSG’s strategic goals and positioning within the donor and tech-ecosystem. And then work with the MC Palestine report writing team to create concept notes and proposals.
- Ensure funding proposals are submitted in a timely manner, following up with analysis of successes and failures and dissemination of lessons learned.
- Support lead generation and identification of funding opportunities which align with GSG’s strategy and positioning.
DATA, LEARNING AND OTHER INITIATIVES
- Manage the design, development, and dissemination of high-quality communication templates, tools and materials.
- Develop innovative research, analysis and other reports which provide compelling and interesting insights that generate discussions with external stakeholders (e.g. potential funding sources, program partners etc.)
- Develop a rich content library including, but not limited to, factsheets, stories of change, statistics, infographics, images, and other materials for use both online and offline.
- Document and disseminate key findings from GSG program studies and evaluations that support and improve program design.
- Develop an understanding and awareness of the program budgets and GSG’s funding, particularly in relation to the work plans, targets, strategy, reporting and fundraising.
- Provide capacity building and mentorship to other GSG team members in proposal development and reporting.
- As needed, collaborate with related Mercy Corps programs and initiatives to leverage evidence from the GSG program.
- Provide additional support in developing ad-hoc reports and communique as required.
SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES
- Actively learn about safeguarding risks and mitigation, integrating this into the program,
- Practice the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members
- Encourage openness and communication and use of reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options
Supervisory Responsibility
The position will not have any direct reports but will work closely as an adviser to the GSG Program teams.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: GSG WB Programme Senior Manager
Works Directly With: All GSG Team Members; Mercy Corps HR, Finance, Procurement and Logistics teams as required.
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills
- University degree in social sciences, economic development, public policy, communications or any other related field.
- 4+ years of work experience in a relevant field.
- Proven knowledge and experience working with and reporting to external stakeholders, preferably government and institutional donors.
- Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal; Arabic capability an advantage but not required.
- Exposure to and understanding of the Palestinian tech ecosystem, donor landscape, history, culture and context a benefit .
Success Factors
- Excellent stakeholder management and coordination skills
- Creative, solutions-oriented approach to problem solving.
- Excellent planning and administration skills.
- Excellent ability to work under pressure and carry out multiple tasks.
- Friendly, enthusiastic, and positive attitude
- Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects at a time.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Ramallah and may require travel across the West Bank to support the program, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).