Consultancy- Technical Advisor

Company: Mercy Corps
Location: Portland
Posted on: April 2, 2025

Job Description:

Background: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.Gaza Sky Geeks (GSG): established in 2011 by Mercy Corps with support from Google, with a mission to foster sustainable and inclusive tech-enabled economic development in Palestine. By delivering an integrated approach of developing the capacity of tech-services companies and increasing access to markets and providing large-scale training in specialized tech skills, GSG aims to grow the competitiveness of the Palestinian tech sector in the global market.Purpose / Project Description:GSG focuses on empowering the ecosystem in Palestine - by upskilling both individuals and companies to improve their ability to regain income, whilst also facilitating international linkages.This is done through the following main components:

• Capacity building of Palestinian Individuals: Specialist tech training for individuals to learn skills to earn income by working for local Palestinian tech companies or by working remotely for overseas employers.
• Capacity building of Palestinian Tech Companies: Training to employees in local Palestinian tech companies to help increase their specialist skills and become more senior. Capacity building of executives in Palestinian tech companies (e.g. company specialization strategy, sales & business development training, mentoring by overseas business experts).
• Market Access and Income Generation (for individuals & companies): Talent Matching - connect participants with local and overseas companies for mentors, internships, and employment. Market Access - help Palestinian individuals and companies secure mentors, internships, employment, and revenue generating contracts. Digital branding and marketing support.Consultant Objectives:The Technical Advisor will collaborate closely with the GSG team to ensure smooth execution of activities and provide technical guidance for managing relationships with external stakeholders, including marketing service providers and service recipients (particularly for the companies' program and support team).Consultant Activities:The Consultant will:

• Understand the business requirements of the marketing and branding intervention for the companies' program.
• Convert business requirements to software requirements.
• Identify software requirements for marketing and branding intervention for the companies' program.
• Prepare technical specifications for the website development service providers.
• Review and evaluate technical offerings from multiple marketing and website service providers.
• Follow up with service providers and make recommendations to GSG companies' team.
• Follow up with beneficiaries and guide them through implementation period of the marketing and branding intervention.
• Oversee and follow up with beneficiaries of marketing and branding intervention.
• Provide recommendations for GSG companies team that would help in planning for upcoming cohorts.
• Timely response to the different requests needed for reporting.
• Work closely in collaboration with the companies' unit to spot learning opportunities.
• Prepare and deliver high-quality presentations (written and in-person) on the achievements, and learnings with program management.
• Work on enhancing the current GSG website.
• Provide relevant training, presentations, and manuals as required to the program team.Consultant Deliverables:The Consultant will:
  • Technical assessment of beneficiaries under the marketing and branding component.
  • Final report on the progress of suppliers, beneficiaries.
  • Action plan for improved GSG website.Timeframe / Schedule:Apr 06th, 2025 - Sep 05th, 2025The Consultant will report to:Israa Hamoudeh- Senior Companies Program OfficerThe Consultant will work closely with:GSG Director, GSG Sr. Program Manager, GSG - Companies team.Required Experience & Skills:
    • Bachelor's degree in IT, Engineering, or other related majors.
    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Arabic and English for reporting purposes.
    • 5-7 years of experience in web development and project management.
    • Excellent communication and coordination skills, with a nice personality.
    • Proficiency in MS Office and Google Suite.
    • Experience in presenting to senior management and external stakeholders, both written and verbal, as well as areas of learning and improvement.
    • Understanding of MEL principles and guidelines, especially those set by Mercy Corps and large government donors.
    • Experience working with NGOs.
    • Exposure to the Palestinian tech ecosystem.
    • Understanding the differences between the social, political, and economic contexts of Palestinian communities, and a talent for communications with people across all levels of society.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: 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 team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging 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.
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Keywords: Mercy Corps, Portland , Consultancy- Technical Advisor, IT / Software / Systems , Portland, Oregon