A man on a mission: Jan Gerard in Palestinian territory

Jan Gerard Snip is not only an enthusiastic entrepreneur but also a member of PUM, an organisation that assists businesses in developing countries and emerging markets. He recently embarked on a special mission to the Palestinian territories as a volunteer.

The Mission

In the Palestinian territories, many IT graduates face high unemployment due to the absence of recruiters in the region. The startup Synergia works to address this challenge. Jan Gerard partnered with the entrepreneur to develop a business development programme establishing recruitment services alongside their existing offerings, with the goal of connecting Palestinian youth with remote work opportunities at Western companies.

What stood out to him was that the young people there speak excellent English and have often visited Europe or America — so there are virtually no language or cultural barriers.

What He Did

Jan Gerard provided Synergia with advice on expanding services and leveraging technology in their business model. Synergia offers payroll services to Western companies while helping Palestinian educated employees find work placements. They manage salary payments, tax obligations, and contracts compliant with Palestinian and Israeli law. Jan Gerard’s expertise in business development for startups, UX design, and complex digital solutions proved valuable to their expansion strategy.

At Sping, a complex HR platform with an accompanying mobile app had already been developed, and this experience and expertise came in very handy.

Results and Impact

The project resulted in Synergia establishing a clear market focus with a roadmap for launching recruitment services. The entrepreneur gained understanding of the technological requirements and software platform needs necessary for growth. Ali, Synergia’s founder, expressed great satisfaction with the assistance and indicated interest in seeking further PUM support the following year.

Reflections

A major issue in the region is the restriction of freedom for Palestinians — made very visible by high walls and watchtowers. Ramallah itself, however, is a modern and safe city. Jan Gerard observed vibrant young people enjoying themselves and noted the excellent food.

The office of Synergia is located in a modern Incubator & Techno Center, near the University. It was an incredibly valuable experience and privilege to help Ali take this step in his business. For Jan Gerard, the knowledge gained about the history, religions, politics, and business environment of the Palestinian territories and the Middle East made the mission as enriching personally as it was professionally.