YP

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.

In support of our mission, GSG has cultivated a network of over 400 international mentors who provide remote and in-person mentorship to our startup teams, coders, and freelancers. We also have a vibrant network of individual supporters, donors, and GSG champions around the world. This role would be the focal point in executing a communications strategy to keep this network informed and engaged with Gaza Sky Geeks.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: -

We are looking for a dynamic and personable team member to lead our in-person and remote mentor recruitment, onboarding, and management processes to support all of GSG’s program verticals. You are someone who is skilled at optimizing logistical processes - everything from initiating permit applications to being the mentor’s main point-of-contact during their week in Gaza to conducting follow-up with them after their visit. You have an analytical approach to understanding the specific needs of our community of developers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs and use these insights to facilitate meaningful matches between mentors and our program participants. You are a self-starter who can see beyond the routine tasks of your job and can independently lead new initiatives to strengthen our mentorship program.

This role is one of GSG’s most important externally facing positions. It requires superb attention to detail, excellent English abilities, a high level of emotional intelligence, excellent cross-cultural understanding (particularly of international perceptions of Gaza), proactive attitude, and high levels energy and enthusiasm. It is an excellent opportunity to build your network of professional contacts in the international technology and entrepreneurship sectors-- contacts that will provide long term value to you while at GSG and beyond.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: -

1. Oversee end-to-end execution of international mentor visits; logistics and preparation, including providing feedback to mentors on workshop presentations and mentoring sessions while in Gaza


2. Manage international mentor program logistics for selected mentors coming to Gaza including supporting travel logistics, ensuring travel documents are submitted, and providing on-the-ground scheduling and support


3. Demonstrate flawless communication skills with a wide variety of mentors from the USA, Europe, and Middle East both in written and spoken Arabic and English


4. Successful execution of mentor visit events, from first handoff to follow up thank-you emails


5. Facilitate and monitor all communication between entrepreneurs and mentors, whether in person or remote, during based on the GSG startup, freelancer, or coder needs and the mentors’ capacity.


6. Manage communication between GSG beneficiaries and mentors as needed; e.g., provide translation and help entrepreneurs introduce and express their needs professionally as needed in writing and in person


7. Build a follow-up system between you and GSG program participants and be always updated about their needs


8. Deliver workshops with GSG program participants on how to take full advantage of mentorship


9. Attend and manage face-to-face sessions and maintain a record of all the sessions data (who received mentorship, the name of the mentor, and action items)


10. Maintain a digital content library with all mentors’ decks and presentations, as well as source high quality content online for the GSG library. Maintain GSG’s physical library inside Gaza Sky Geeks.


11. Provide feedback to GSG leadership on progress of GSG program participants, their engagement with mentors, and recommendations on courses of action to take to improve their abilities.


12. Continually and proactively improve systems for communications, mentorship engagement, and program delivery within GSG

ACCOUNTABILITY: -

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: GSG Director of Gaza Programs

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: GSG STAFF, External GSG volunteers, GSG Director, Acceleration Manager, MC finance, procurement, and logistics