E-Commerce Expert

Job Description

<p><strong>Background:</strong></p><p>The USAID Business Growth Activity (USAID BGA) is a five-year (2021 – 2026) project to accelerate the economic viability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and business start-ups in Jordan. Project assistance to SMEs and start-ups focuses on increasing sales, job creation, exports, market access, and access to finance and capital. The project targets high-growth potential SMEs and start-ups, including women-owned or led firms, as well as inclusive growth that benefits all, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities. There are two core objectives to USAID BGA. The first is to enhance SME and start-up competitiveness and access to markets. The second is to facilitate SME and start-up access to finance. USAID BGA will enable Jordanian SMEs to improve their productivity and competitiveness, create new jobs and innovations across a range of growth sectors, and advance Jordan towards a more prosperous, resilient, and inclusive future. </p><p> </p><p><br></p><p>BGA will work in all areas of the economy, including the services and manufacturing sectors, as well as in all Jordanian governorates. Sectors will include but not limited to food processing, handicrafts, hospitality, chemical processing, carpentry and wood furniture making, construction and building material manufacturing, IT services, and metal finishing.</p><p> </p><p><br></p><p>Nathan, a Cadmus Company is a leading provider of analytic and economic consultancy services worldwide. In the past decade, we have implemented more than 120 projects in more than 50 countries leveraging our global presence in Washington DC, London, and India. From improved transparency and deeper stakeholder engagement to more effective policies and more resilient businesses, we deliver results that impact economic growth, human development, and poverty reduction. We are passionate about applying our deep analytical expertise and advanced proprietary tools to generate economic solutions tailored to our clients’ unique challenges. Nathan focuses on a range of economic development subject matter areas including Trade &amp; Logistics; Economic Policy &amp; Governance; Private Sector Development; Women’s Economic Empowerment; and Financial Solutions. </p><p> </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Assignment overview</strong></p><p>The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed new realities, increased the use of digital tools, and created new business, including an unprecedented surge in e-commerce and accelerated digital transformation. USAID BGA will support a range of digitalization and e-commerce opportunities, focusing on alternative marketing channels, sales generation, and broadening brand globalization. </p><p><br></p><p>To promote greater digitalization as an essential business tool, and e-Commerce as an export channel, USAID BGA will design and implement an e-Commerce various e-commerce acceleration activity streams. Through it, USAID BGA will coach, facilitate, and develop e-Commerce solutions to help SMEs and startups expand locally and export to international customers and markets through virtual marketplaces (B2B and B2C). </p><p> </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Objectives of assignment</strong></p><p>The main objective is to support USAID BGA on the e-commerce best practices and models to support the Jordanian companies in upgrading their online presence through the different e-commerce platforms and the most feasible ones for the growth depending on the maturity level of the supported company.</p><p> </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Activities</strong></p><p>Consultant will: </p><ol><li>Meet with USAID BGA technical team to present and agree on the best delivery model and recommend appropriate course of action. (2 days)</li><li>Develop the e-commerce value chain and identify ecosystem players in Jordan and globally. (6 days)</li><li>Identify the various e-commerce modalities and provide guidance on the best model according to the USAID BGA direction. (3 days)</li><li>Work closely with USAID BGA team to develop a comprehensive e-commerce framework by designing the offering for the companies taking into consideration their capacity, capabilities, growth potential and maturity level. (6 days)</li><li>Provide plan with various options that USAID BGA can work on with SMEs/Startup to enhance their online presence that will directly scale up their growth, competitiveness and productivity. (3 days)</li></ol><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Deliverables</strong></p><p>All reports will be delivered in electronic format in MS Word, Excel or PowerPoint as requested by USAID BGA by the dates listed and within the LOE provided. All deliverables must be reviewed and approved by the USAID BGA Team to be considered final deliverables, and the consultant should reflect any suggestions and guidance provided to the final deliverables<strong>. Consultant is expected to:</strong></p><ul><li>Work in very close coordination with USAID BGA and provide regular updates and respond promptly to the needs and demands of USAID BGA team.</li><li>Consultant should pursue effective communications and timely deliverables.</li><li>Identify and submit any resources (tools) in the technical area in which the consultant is working on or has knowledge in that could assist the selected startups and SMEs improve their understanding of best practices including how to realize growth and development capacities (the primary focus of this consultancy). This could include templates, case studies, presentations, web links, white papers, online newsletters, assessments or checklists, podcasts, etc. Please make note of any resources that may be subject to copyright or usage restrictions.</li></ul><p><strong> </strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Deliverable</strong></p><p><strong>Description</strong></p><p><strong>Due Date</strong></p><p><strong>Time (days)</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Kick off meeting notes</p><p>Submit meeting minutes with presentation and clear next steps</p><p>2 days from kick off meeting</p><p>2</p><p><br></p><p>Summary report and PowerPoint presentation</p><p>Develop the e-commerce value chain and identify ecosystem players in Jordan and globally</p><p>2 weeks from kick off meeting</p><p>6</p><p><br></p><p>Report</p><p>Develop a detailed report on e-commerce engagement modalities. Provide guidance on the best model appropriate for USAID BGA and eligible SMEs and startups.</p><p>3 weeks from kick off meeting</p><p>3</p><p><br></p><p>Framework report</p><p>Based on the previous activities and feedback from USAID BGA develop a comprehensive framework tailored to USAID BGA companies. The framework should address how USAID BGA can engage with diverse group of beneficiary companies on their e-commerce journey, including a special focus on women-owned/led companies. </p><p>5 weeks from kick off meeting</p><p>6</p><p><br></p><p>Action Plan</p><p>Present an action plan USAID BGA can deploy in engagement with SMEs and startups that will utilize e-commerce to directly scale up their growth, competitiveness, productivity and access to markets. </p><p>5 weeks from kick off meeting</p><p>3</p><p>Total: 20 days.</p><p> <strong> </strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Qualifications</strong></p><ul><li>At least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required.</li><li>A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience with 5 years’ demonstrated experience in e-commerce deployment among SMEs and startups.</li><li>Proven experience in working on similar assignments and preferably with donors.</li><li>Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to be a self-starter and be accountable for project outcomes.</li><li>Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic.</li><li>Preferably be based in Jordan.</li></ul><p> </p><p><br></p><p><strong>SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:</strong></p><p>Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter and CV to marc.ciric@cadmusgroup.com on or before 22 June, 2023. Please include “E-Commerce Expert STTA” in the subject line. Only finalists will be contacted. No phone or emails please.</p><p></p>