Startup Investment Readiness Program Officer

Startup Investment Readiness Program Officer

طريقة ترجمة الوظيفة من اللغة الانجليزية الى اللغة العربية

Position Title : Startup Investment Readiness Program Officer
Position Type : Regular, Full Time
Location : Mercy Corps /Gaza Sky Geeks Gaza Office
Duration of Program : Aug 2021 – April 2022

ABOUT MERCYCORPS:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.

In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions

into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Now, and for the future.

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: -

Gaza Sky Geeks (GSG) is Gaza’s leading co-working space, tech education hub, and startup accelerator, run by Mercy Corps, a nonprofit international relief and development organization with programs in the occupied Palestinian territories since the 1980s. Mercy Corps founded GSG in partnership with Google.org in 2011. We bring together online freelancers, outsourcers, and startup founders together under one roof to share ideas, best practices, code, and build brighter futures through the power of the internet. Gaza Sky Geeks’ overarching goal is to build an internationally competitive technology ecosystem in Gaza through online freelancing, outsourcing, and startups.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: -

The Startup Investment Readiness officer will support building the content and overall execution of the IGNITE investment readiness program, attending regular meetings with the executing international partner and DAI, acting as a contributor to program design, startup coach, and mentor in entrepreneurship, business model development, marketing, and product launching. In coordination with the Acceleration Manager, and other staff, you support and help execute the plan for investment readiness pilot program with the expectation of leading future cycles of the IRAS program and continuously improving the curriculum, program delivery, and the outreach.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: -

Contribute to the planning, designing, execution, and outreach for the Investment Readiness Program IRAS with support from Startups Program Manager; and continuously reflect on the program progress and deliverables to improve future cycles of the program
Serve as the International Partner’s focal point and retain the primary responsibility overseeing the day-to-day operation of the IRAS program
Market and build awareness around the IRAS program through various mediums, including, but not limited to, media and websites to recruit strong and high potential startups for the IRAS Program
Attend all meetings and trainings with the international partner to support the continuity of business readiness, investment readiness, investor engagement and capital raising services/offerings at the end of the program term with the aim of creating a sustainable business and/or operational frameworks for future programs.
Coordinate with the International Partner to make presentations, actively participate in delivering training workshops, panel discussions, or other similar events designed to target and engage the startup community
Provide general guidance to the International Partner in navigating the local Palestinian environment.
Provide support to the International Partner and selected startups during the IRAS implementation phase, as requested.
Provide administrative support services necessary for operation of the IRAS program, including administrative support to the international partner (e.g. managing mentor schedules, investor visits, workspace, logistics/travel, events).
Support GSG alumni startups (those that have finished the acceleration program), and other startups, to prepare them to join the IRAS Program and help them grow, expand into new markets, and obtain investment
Build relationships with MENA investors to receive funding, join demo days, and meet with startups as well as MENA accelerators to help startups join regional later stages acceleration programs
Maintain records of grants received by startups and support the startups hiring and operations set up
Support startup teams with developing a clearly defined business model and marketing strategy, including:

Providing ongoing guidance for startups to iteratively assess their business models and adjust according to lessons learned
Communicate effectively with our international partner “Rainmaking” to ensure startups’ business models form the basis of the development of their products
Providing guidance on developing a marketing strategy with explicit goals and objectives as well as the implementation plan

Work cross-functionally in coordination with other Mercy Corps departments including Finance, Procurements, HR, Logistics, Security, Communications, and Resource Development and prepare Grant Progress Reports for DAI
Work in coordination with the Startup Program Manager and other GSG staff to drive adherence to regular daily, weekly, and monthly check-ins with startup teams to coach on and facilitate business and user validation, product development, product-market fit, and growth.
Participate regularly in remote and in-person mentorship sessions with startup teams in order to assess mentor quality, as well as any deliverables agreed to between mentees and mentors
Be an entrepreneurial role model for other teams using case studies and examples from own professional experience
Model professional etiquette, communications, processes, and workflow management for startup teams as well as other GSG staff (e.g. demonstrate 100% reliable use of a calendaring application, note taking and following up on action items, punctually arriving in the office and starting meetings on time, professional address of startup teams and other staff members)
Working hand in hand with GSG’s Mentor Officer and Startup Program Manager to develop a strategic approach to mentor recruitment and outreach with an initial focus on expanding linkages to Arabic speaking mentors from the MENA region
Act as the go-between for startups and the mentor network by assessing individual startup mentorship needs, and then selecting the optimal mentors from our network or recruiting mentors online and through our collective personal networks. You will be responsible for identifying tactical and specific needs that can be solved with one off or continuing mentorship engagements with startups.
Work effectively with the Women’s Inclusivity Coordinator to ensure consistent and successful growth of women across all GSG verticals including recruitment of female mentors

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Not Applicable

ACCOUNTABILITY: -

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Startups Acceleration Program Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: GSG Mentorship Officer, Startup Program Team, Logistics Coordinator, Community Engagement Coordinator, External GSG volunteers, MC finance, MEL, MC procurement and Operations Staff

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to 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.

Team members, service contractors, volunteers, and interns are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

University degree in Business, Marketing, ICT, or any other related field, with a demonstrated record of interest and contemporary knowledge in his/her field.
Excellent speaking and writing skills in both English and Arabic
Excellent understanding of entrepreneurship in MENA region and globally
Minimum Two years’ experience in Customer Research, Marketing and Product Launching in a startup context
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Resilience, high problem-solving abilities, attention to detail and a great sense of humor.
Willingness to work outside of normal business hours as required;

SUCCESS FACTORS:

Ability to work in a flat, fast-paced environment with others who are passionate about supporting Gaza’s technology ecosystem. Running a startup or working in a startup is a plus
Comfort with uncertainty and change—GSG is a small program but growing rapidly. Just like our program, we seek staff who are adaptable and pitch in on what needs to be done.
Strong listening abilities in order to understand the needs of Gaza’s startup community and GSG’s tech community
High degree of self introspection and leadership potential
Superb attention to detail
Positive attitude and passion for your work
Proactive, get-stuff-done mentality that always prioritizes outcomes, not just inputs
Strong interpersonal, conflict resolution and negotiation skills;
Excellent time and organizational management skills;
Excellent ability to work under pressure and carry out multiple tasks simultaneously.

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. 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.

How to Apply:

Qualified persons with disability are highly encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit an application online HERE no later than Sunday, 25 July 2021

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Please apply separate application for each position you are interested in.