eCommerce Expert

Small Enterprise Center

Short term assignment- Terms of References

eCommerce Expert

"Facilitate connection between MSMEs and e-commerce platforms in West Bank”

1.0 Background:

The Small Enterprise Center (SEC) Association is a Palestinian non-profit organization that started in 2002 as a project within the framework of GIZ Private Sector Development Project. In 2008, and officially registered as an independent non-profit organization governed by the Palestinian Law of Charitable Associations and Community Organizations No.1 for the year 2000. SEC began with an office in Ramallah and has grown to be a leading national organization serving Palestinian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and social enterprises (including cooperatives).

Through a strategic partnership with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Global Communities (GC) is implementing the Supporting MSMEs Competitiveness and Growth in Palestine (SMCGP) program. The 44-month program aims to improve the conditions necessary for increased competitiveness and growth of MSMEs, contributing to inclusive sustainable economic development, including better income generation and productive employment with decent working conditions, particularly for women and youth. The SMCGP adopts the Market Systems Development (MSD) approach by employing facilitative approaches with learning at its core. SMCGP will target the creative industries sector which comprises three sectors including Furniture, Footwear and Leather, and Handicrafts.

Within the framework of the sub-agreement signed between the Global Communities and the Small Enterprise Center (SEC) to Supporting MSMEs Competitiveness and Growth in Palestine Programme funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), SEC is seeking support in eCommerce services for project beneficiaries to enhance their digital market competitiveness.

SEC invites qualified Palestinian individual experts to submit technical and financial proposals to provide digital marketing services for the listed below services.

2.0 Questions and Requests for Clarifications

Questions regarding the technical or administrative requirements of this ToRs may be submitted no later than, Tuesday  May 21 2024 (Ramallah Local Time) by email to [email protected]. Questions must be submitted in writing; phone calls will not be accepted. Questions, requests for clarifications and the responses thereto that SEC believes may be of interest to other offers will be circulated to all TORs recipients who have indicated an interest in bidding.

Only the written answers issued by SEC will be considered official and carry weight in the ToRs process and subsequent evaluation. Any verbal information received from employees of SEC, or any other entity should not be considered as an official response to any questions regarding this TORs.

2.0 Purpose of this assignment:

SEC is seeking technical and financial offers from qualified individual Palestinian eCommerce expert to strengthening Palestinian MSMEs access to international eCommerce solutions, most likely Amazon USA through expansion of digital trade initiatives. The aim of this assignment is to capacitate selected institutions in digital marketing practices that will allow them to be better integrated into the international eCommarce in a competitive way.

3.0 Expert’s key responsibilities:

The consultant /expert will work closely with SEC staff, GC, and Selected project beneficiaries during the intervention period.  The hired expert will perform the following key activities:

1. Design and deliver a capacity building program for the Leather Cluster's staff on the different types of international eCommerce solutions in terms of fulfilment services, benefits, costs, etc.…
2. Provide rapid analysis of the existing international eCommerce solutions, and provide recommendations to choose the most feasible eCommerce for the cluster including identification of legal requirements, costs, banking capacity, etc. 
3. Guide the cluster's personal throughout the whole process to sell on the most feasible international platform/ marketplace
4. Initiate collaborations with various services providers such as domestic and international logistics providers, e-Payment providers, and packaging companies.
5. Facilitate the process of storing of shipped products in USA store outside or inside Amazon store.
6. Develop a final report with reasonable recommendations.

4.0 Main Deliverables

The expert will submit the following deliverables in English Language:

1. A Summary report presents the main pros and cons of the key international eCommerce solutions including recommendations for the most feasible one for the cluster
2. Guide and coach the cluster's personnel to identify the main requirements throughout the whole process of registration and selling on the selected eCommerce platform
3. ps and their beneficiaries accessed to international eCommerce solutions
4. Online accounts on eCommerce (most likely Amazon USA) created
5. Collaborations with various services providers such as domestic and international logistics providers Initiated
6. Final report.

4.0 Qualifications and Work Experience of the Expert

It is expected that the eCommerce expert that will develop promotional materials including catalogues and design for the SMEs products shall provide the following expertise:

• At least Bachelor's degree in marketing or information technology or, Bachelor degree in international business administration or any related field.
• Exceptional expertise in website business management
• At least 5 years of proven working experience
• Provide list of assignment of relative
• Experience with international eCommerce solutions e.g.: Amazon (is a must )

5.0 Duration of Appointment:

The expected level of effort of the expert is around 8 working days, within 3 weeks s’ time frame for implementing activities from signing the contract.

6.0 Logistic Support for the Consultant

 SEC will provide information, document, hall for meeting and online meeting software or emergency cases.

7.0 Deadlines for Submitting CVs and Technical and Financial Offers

The deadline for submitting CVs, and Technical and Financial offers by latest Wednesday 29th of May 2024.

Kindly send the offers to SEC email:

 [email protected]