Market Access Officer (Reposted)

Location: West Bank (Ramallah) with local travel as needed

Position Status: Regular - Full time.

Salary Level: 4A

Duration: 12 Months (With possibility

Department: GazaSkyGeeks Program

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 / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)

Gaza Sky Geeks, established in 2011 by Mercy Corps with support from Google, is Palestine’s leading tech hub that trains, nurtures, and supports emerging tech talent intending to create a sustainable and inclusive digital job market in Palestine.  With 10 years of experience training globally recognized tech talent.

The Position (General Position Summary)

As the Market Access Officer for the Companies Program, you will play a vital role in supporting and empowering early-stage startups, product-based, ICT and service-based companies to grow their businesses and achieve their goals.

This will focus on developing and strengthening the access to international markets and opportunities of participating companies within the Companies’ Development program, as well as that of the broader Palestinian tech-ecosystem.

Essential Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Companies’ Program (CP) Senior Officer and Tech Unit Senior Officer to conduct economic appraisal of sectors and select those sectors with high growth potential.
• Assist in the economic/financial appraisal of applications/proposals for inclusion in the Company Market Access (CMA) Program, including desktop reviews, shortlisting exercises and field visits.
• Assess investment opportunities in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) for developmental and commercial viability and assist in establishing a pipeline of job-focused private sector investment projects.
• Conduct field and monitoring visits to benefit MSMEs to ensure their adherence with the terms and conditions of the program.
• Provide technical guidance for participating MSMEs and ensure feasibility. This includes undertaking the necessary due diligence, financial modeling, risk, and cost-benefit analysis to substantiate the potential value of private sector investments.
• Be able to pinpoint growth and expansion opportunities within international markets, technical specializations, high-value niches, and segments that participating companies can exploit.
• Identify and leverage the Palestinian diaspora for connections, linkages and market access opportunities that participant companies can exploit.
• Work closely with the data analytics and learning teams to prepare and maintain monitoring plans and results measurement for interventions, including collection of data.
• Prepare purchase requests, follow up for payment procedures, and submit project payments with complete deliverables and documents for approval.
• Be proactive in bringing issues to the attention of the CP Senior Officer which might affect the projects, positively or adversely.
• Work with the Technical Training Program team to support participating companies with their technical development, growth, and areas of specialization.
• Work with the Technical Training Program team to support employability opportunities with companies for GSG graduates.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports directly to: Companies Program Senior Officer

Works directly with: West Bank Technical Training Program Team, Gaza Sky Geeks Program Team, Mercy Corps Support Functions

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.

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

-        University degree in computer science, computer engineering, information technology or related field in Business Administration, Marketing, International Business.

-        Proven experience in market access or international business development, particularly in the technology sector or related industries.

-        Familiarity with market research, market entry strategies is essential for guiding companies through the process of accessing international markets.

-        A solid understanding of the technology sector and emerging trends within the Palestinian tech ecosystem is crucial. This includes familiarity with ICT, software development, digital services, and other relevant industries.

-        3+ years of work experience in a relevant field.  Experience in information management, administration or a highly organized role in other fields will be of value.

-        Excellent writing skills in English and Arabic.

-        Proficiency in project management techniques to plan, execute, and monitor training initiatives effectively. This includes skills in setting goals, managing resources, tracking progress, and adapting plans as needed.

-        Strong business development skills to identify market opportunities, establish partnerships, and develop strategies to support companies in expanding their market reach. This includes the ability to analyze market trends, assess competitive landscapes, and tailor strategies to meet the needs of participating companies.

Success Factors

• Excellent communication, networking and coordination skills, with a strong personality.
• 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.
• Proactive, practical that always prioritizes outcomes, not just inputs.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with other teams within the organization.
• Ability to present MC-GSG in the ecosystem, conferences.

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. 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 elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Qualified people with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online HERE no later than 13:00 on Tuesday 21 May 2024.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.