Market Access Officer

Location: Ramallah, Palestine with frequent travel

Position Status: Full-time

Salary Level: 4A

Risk Level:  Level 2   

(Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.  

Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children.

Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data) 

About Mercy Corps

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.

About GazaSkyGeeks

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. 

The core objective of GSG in the West Bank (WB) is to revive the economy by assisting existing talent (individuals and companies) to improve their ability to regain income, whilst also continuing to train more young people to enter the sector. Activities will fall into 3 categories. 

1. Outcome 1: 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. 

1.  Outcome 2: 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). 

1. Outcome 3: 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.

The Position (General Position Summary)

The Market Access Officer for the Companies Program will play a vital role in supporting and empowering 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.

The Market Access Officer will provide administrative support for Mercy Corps Programs, primarily relating to Gaza Sky Geeks (GSG)-Companies Program expansion activities, in the West Bank. The Market Access Officer will work with a network of local and international partners and stakeholders on issues concerning market access, and economic development.

Essential Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Companies’ Program (CP) 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 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.
• Support WB Companies Program strategy implementation including matching advisors, follow up with companies, arrange for meetings. And ensure the GSG values and MC standards are implemented.
• Build advisors and consultants pool for the program activities, follow up and prepare supporting documents.
• 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 employability opportunities with companies for GSG graduates.
• Conduct market research on potential international partners in terms of providing consultation services, hiring opportunities, and potential customers for the Palestinian tech and digital companies.
• Conduct market research on finding a suitable platform for advisors| participants matching and communications management.
• Prepare a database of the top freelances/ job hunters and match them with the Palestinian tech and digital companies based on their needs.
• Prepare presentations for different audiences.
• Collect, and report on monitoring and evaluation data and maintain relevant program files.
• Report on the events and activities of the market access component.
• Prepare logistic documents needed for the finance and procurement team.
• Liaises and coordinates with MC and GSG departments (including Logistics and Admin).
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Travel to various parts of the WB for activities, support and follow-up (including staying in locations overnight if needed).
• Follow up with the social media team highlighting the program's expansion in the WB.
• Demonstrate teamwork spirit and a proactive attitude in accomplishing and delivering tasks.
• Absorb and quickly learn project details and operations/ procedures and provide ideas for improvements and enhancements when possible.

Other duties as assigned.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Supervisory Responsibility

The Market Access Officer will be the supervisor of the Market Access Coordinator (one direct report)

Accountability

Reports Directly To: GSG WB Senior Companies Program Officer

Works Directly With: GSG Program Team and West Bank and Gaza. Mercy Corps Administrative, Finance and Procurement teams in Jerusalem and Ramallah.

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 Information Technology, Business Administration, Marketing or any related field.
• 3-5 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.
• Exposure to the Palestinian tech ecosystem.
• Have analytical skills, experience, and good judgment to recommend and propose informed suggestions related to project activities.
• 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.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Arabic and English for reporting purposes.
• Proficiency in MS Office and google suite.

Success Factors

• Excellent communication and coordination skills, with a nice personality.  
• Excellent ability to work under pressure and carry out multiple tasks.  
• Friendly, enthusiastic, and positive attitude  
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple activities at a time.  
• Proactive, practical that always prioritizes outcomes, not just inputs. 
• Ability to present MC-GSG in the ecosystem, conferences.
• International experience or exposure is a plus

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Ramallah and it requires up to 10% travel to support country programs. 

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

Team Efficiency and Effectiveness 

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different 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.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).

 Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online HERE no later than 12:00PM on Sunday, 22 June 2025.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.