Communication and PR Coordinator - Mercy Corps
- Position Title : Communication and PR Coordinator
- Position Type : Regular, Full Time
- Location : Mercy Corps / Gaza Sky Geeks
- Duration : One Year with Three months’ probation period
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:
Working closely with program verticals (coding, freelancing and startups) the Communications & PR Coordinator will be an integral part of the Communications Team consisting of a social media specialist, marketing specialist, graphic designer and visual storyteller. The main goal of the team is to promote the values of Gaza Sky Geeks and through this shape the public perception of the organization by targeting a wide range of audiences: first-time program participants to hiring partners to donors.
As the Communications & PR Coordinator, you are responsible for promoting the work Gaza Sky Geeks externally through carefully crafting press releases, thought leadership pieces and other written content. You will essentially be “the face” of Gaza Sky Geeks, so in addition to being a skilled writer (Arabic and English) we are looking for someone outgoing and bubbly, eager to engage with press, media and potential partners. Further responsibilities include taking the lead on internal communications, development of written materials and producing our local and international newsletter.
Understanding the unique composition of Gaza Sky Geeks as an organization and player in the ecosystem is key to succeeding in this role. Our target audiences are local and international and include:
- Our existing community of entrepreneurs, freelancers, and developers
- Prospective community members and program applicants in south Gaza, Gaza City, and various cities in the West Bank
- Partners in the local Palestinian tech ecosystem
- Government and private donors
- Our network of international supporters and mentors
- Commercial clients for our Code Academy and Freelance Academy graduates
- Potential investors for our startups
- Commercial clients/projects for Skylancer commercial arm functions
- And more!
GSG also in a phase of growth, with our main hub operating in Gaza City and newer, satellite hubs getting off the ground in Khan Younis, Khalil, and Nablus. You are responsible for ensuring our communications strategy caters to the multi-faceted nature of GSG’s target audiences and objectives.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Developing written thought leadership pieces and other written materials.
- Taking the lead PR campaigns and turning thought leadership pieces into backlinks.
- Monitoring and responding to inbound press requests
- Responding to private donors
- Internal communications: Gaza Sky Geeks, community onboarding and MC Workplace
- Support Partnerships & WB Community Manager with partnership opportunities
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Not Applicable
ACCOUNTABILITY
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Communications & Brand Manager
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Communications Team ,
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.
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.
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
- University degree in Business, Marketing, Journalism, Media or any other related field, with a demonstrated record of interest and contemporary knowledge in his/her field.
- Have 2+ years of communications, brand management, or marketing experience - in house or agency, business marketing, journalism or elsewhere. Experience working in the Palestinian tech sector is ideal but not essential.
- A high level of emotional intelligence and empathy
- A humble, proactive, and curious approach to learning
- Genuine communications savvy - you must have strong public relations skills, and an excellent ability to verbally communicate effectively in English and Arabic
- Have a background in content marketing
- Able to multitask and work well under pressure
- Experience interacting with press
- Experience managing partnerships
- A self starter
- Result-driven
- Resilience, high problem-solving abilities, attention to detail and a great sense of humor.
- Proficiency in Project Management tools, Slack, and Google products (Drive, Sheets, Docs). GSG does not use email internally. We use Slack.
- Strong understanding of the social, political, and economic context of Palestine.
- 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.
- 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 freelancing community and
- GSG’s tech community.
- Superb attention to detail.
- Positive attitude and passion for your work.
- Proactive, get-stuff-done mentality that always prioritizes outcomes, not just inputs.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal, conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
- Excellent time and organizational management skills.
- Up to date knowledge of technical and industry developments.
- Excellent ability to work under pressure and carry out multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Has experience related to Training Field, either as an organizer or a Trainer, being An alumni of GSG technical training is a plus
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 Thuresday, 15 April 2021
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Please apply separate application for each position you are interested in.