Gaza Sky Geeks Program Support Officer

Gaza Sky Geeks Program Support Officer - Mercy Corps

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 Palestine’s leading tech education provider 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. Initially Gaza based, GSG now also operates and delivers its services to various locations in the West Bank (WB).

The primary purpose of GSG is to help grow the Palestinian economy by building the capability of individuals and local tech companies to generate revenue through the provision of tech services and products to overseas markets.

GSG does this through the provision of outreach events to generate awareness, and training programs to build skills and capabilities of individuals and local Palestinian companies.

Currently GSG has approx. 50 staff in Gaza and 20 in WB. The various teams in GSG are responsible for delivering a wide range of awareness events and training programs across multiple locations.

In Gaza GSG operates an office space for GSG staff. GSG also operates 2 co-working spaces in Gaza, and 1 in Khan Yunis to give locals access to a safe secure working environment with reliable internet.

In 2022, GSG ran approximately 100 training programs (ranging from 2 days to 4 months) serving approximately 5,400 individual participants. These majority of these events and trainings were in Gaza, but also in Jerusalem, Ramallah, Nablus and Hebron. These events and trainings are run from the GSG co-working spaces and by hiring 3rd party facilities.

Gaza Sky Geeks’ overarching goal is to build an internationally competitive technology ecosystem in Gaza and the West Bank.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The role of the Program Support Officer (PSO) is provide the operations, administrative, logistics and procurement support to enable the teams to deliver their training programmes and events, and the day to day running of the GSG office and co-working spaces. Being a donor funded organisation, GSG must adhere to very strict protocols and documentation requirements for all activities and spending.

Core to this role will be:

Strategic foresight and day-to-day management of GSG operations & logistics to support the GSG teams to deliver the programmes and events.
Ensure fast and effective administrative, finance and procurement processing whilst managing risk and compliance, to support the teams to deliver programmes.
Guide and enforce GSG activities and programmes align with all MC policies and processes
Implement and oversee tools, systems and processes which enable impact, efficiency and scale

This is a highly collaborative role that operates among teams within GSG and Mercy Corps (MC) on country, regional and international levels. The role requires a high degree of flexibility, emotional intelligence, teamwork, and a problem solving attitude. The PSO will work closely with GSG’s Director, Program Leads, Partnerships & Fundraising Manager as well as MC Finance, Procurement and Operations teams and Headquarters. The co-working spaces and logistics teams directly report to the PSO.

The role holds ultimate accountability for the efficiency of GSG internal operations enabling program teams to more effectively deliver events and trainings in compliance with MC policies, procedures, processes and tools. The role also provides operational and administrative support to the Partnerships and Fundraising team in their activities and supports GSG’s internal systems and tools for setting, tracking and measuring business performance as well as other projects related to operational excellence.

The PSO will have the freedom and responsibility to complete an assessment of GSG’s current operations and logistics function, then drive improvements which will free up growing programs to achieve scale and long-term success through efficient operations and reduced set-backs and risks via consistent, expert support. The role will engender a sense of trust across GSG that this important work is centralised in the hands of a responsive, “customer service oriented,” coordinated, and communicative team that are experts in navigating MC policies, processes and procedures.

CORE FUNCTIONS:

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP OF OPERATIONS FOR GSG

The PSO will be responsible for setting GSG operations and logistics team priorities in alignment with the GSG Director and organisation objectives, and will proactively enact the solutions which achieve operational efficiencies that adhere to MC policies and procedures but remain dynamic and adaptive in response to program needs, enabling scale, cost effectiveness and seamless delivery. This includes but is not limited to:

Provide strategic insights and initiatives which help deliver and improve upon the operational and logistical support of program delivery
Assist the GSG Director in streamlining annual and quarterly planning across the GSG teams
Form strategic relationships with Mercy Corps 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

GSG OPERATIONAL OVERSIGHT

The PSO will provide programme operational oversight through a detailed and methodical approach that supports wider organisational delivery whilst minimising risk. You will work closely across GSG and MC, at all levels and with a hands-on approach to ensure you are across the issues and opportunities for improvement. You will feel comfortable filling gaps and supporting teams whilst maintaining a broader view on organisational priorities. This includes but is not limited to:

Admin and Procurement

Work with MC Procurement to ensure adherence to MC policies, processes and procedures whilst delivering on program 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)
Permits - point person for managing permitting process.

Finance

Work with team leads to discuss monthly BvAs, assisting in the creation of budgeting targets across cost centres
Focal point for liaising with MC finance to provide financial data and analysis

Systems/Productivity Tools

Oversee GSG operations and logistics team 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 appropriate onboarding across the team to enable efficient use of tools, monitoring of usage/licences, ensuring that the tool is effective in its purpose
Ensure that all tools are in compliance with MC data policies and other procurement standards

PROGRAM TEAM SUPPORT

You will support the GSG program delivery teams during planning and implementation by ensuring excellence in the execution of operational and logistical support, enabling impact and scale. This includes providing support to the community engagement and communications teams to deliver on GSG community events and activities. This includes but is not limited to:

Processes

Oversight and support throughout the contracting and procurement processes, seeking out ways to increase efficiencies and managing cost effectiveness
Providing guidance and achieving efficiencies which enable scale for all operational and logistical tasks needed before, during and after all trainings, events and activities conducted
Maintaining detailed oversight of all major vendors and suppliers within Gaza to ensure GSG is contracting and engaging with the right stakeholders which enable programming.

Systems/Productivity Tools

Operational oversight and recommendations which ensure that systems are in place to scale participation in community events and training (examples include: Membership management system, CARM, PaQ tools, survey tools, and/or LMS).

PARTNERSHIPS & FUNDRAISING TEAM SUPPORT

You will assist the Partnerships and Fundraising teams by providing operational oversight, troubleshooting activities and supporting administrative tasks, ensuring they are able to function efficiently and with reduced risk as well as adhering to all MC policies and processes. This includes but is not limited to:

Processes

Ensure GSG is utilising the correct MC templates and/or standard language for partnership agreements, MOUs and client contracts by liaising with MC HQ
Review agreements and liaise with MC Operations for the legal review to approve requested changes
Reduce risk by being the focal point for finalising and processing written agreements with external audiences in compliance with MC policies.
Assist with processing of incoming donations, funds and gift-in-kind in compliance with MC policies.
Assist in vendor set up or procurement relating to partnerships.

Systems/Productivity Tools

Oversee GSG team to process all monthly payments and receipts, ensuring these are done in compliance with MC Finance
Develop scalable solutions for external payments and receipts in coordination with MC Finance and HQ

SPACE MANAGEMENT TEAM

You are accountable for the excellence of GSG’s training and community spaces within Gaza. This entails strategic planning, budgeting and overall direction. This includes but is not limited to:

Conduct strategic reviews of programmatic needs and deliver on their requirements to enable immediate delivery and future scale
Work with and maintain relationships with external space providers to ensure that GSG has multiple options for program delivery
Develop a system which enables transparent, clearly and adaptive space allocation
Ensure systems are in place to track and manage space utilisation, providing strategic and operational suggestions which maximise this
Oversee space costs and infrastructure to ensure that these are optimised and inline with strategic and budgetary constraints

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

For the purposes of performance evaluation and reporting, GSG support team reports to you. You will also be a leading figure and expected to contribute to the operations of the wider GSG team. This role will initially include four direct reports which support operations, logistics and space management. You will also support the operational; and logistical needs of the GSG Director and other team leads in their team management as requested.

Team Management

Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Security

Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

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

to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Team members 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.

Supervisory Responsibility:NA

Accountability

Reports Directly To: GSG Program Director

Works Directly With: Country Finance and Compliance Team, Operations team members, Program Managers, and others.

Knowledge and Experience

Five years or more of Management experience is required.
A university degree in accounting or Management is required.
Three years or more in the Program support of an international NGO is preferred.
Demonstrated competency with computerized general ledger software.
Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
Prior management experience and strong organizational skills.
Excellent oral and written English and Arabic skills.

Success Factors

The ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required. A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary. A high professional standard of finance and procurement ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential. The Finance Manager must be willing to travel to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites.

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.

Knowledge and Experience

Five years or more of Management experience is required.
A university degree in accounting or Management is required.
Three years or more in the Program support of an international NGO is preferred.
Demonstrated competency with computerized general ledger software.
Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
Prior management experience and strong organizational skills.
Excellent oral and written English and Arabic skills.

Success Factors

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 Thursday , 02 Feb 2023

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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