E-Commerce Portal Design and Development Consultant for MSMEs

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

The consultant is expected to design, develop and launch a customized e-commerce portal for Arab MSMEs, based on a previous market research and feasibility study, within a six-month timeframe, ensuring compliance, user-friendliness and seamless integration with existing systems. In addition to the core project objectives, the consultant will undertake the task of training 200 MSMEs in e-commerce through the customized platform to ensure its successful implementation and utilization. Below are the main deliverables: Milestone 1: Onboarding of MSMEs (Month 1) Tasks: • Develop onboarding materials and resources on e-commerce websites. • Conduct initial onboarding sessions with MSMEs. • Collect feedback and refine the onboarding process. Milestone 2: Platform Design & Development (Month 2) Tasks: • Design the e-commerce portal architecture. • Integrate user-friendly features and secure transaction processes. • Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. • Develop a comprehensive dashboard to monitor MSME activity and performance. • Design and develop a user-friendly directory for showcasing MSMEs. • Customize the platform to meet the unique requirements of Arab MSMEs. • Manage the project budget and track expenditures. • Implement quality assurance and testing protocols. Milestone 3: Training for 100 MSMEs 1st Batch (Months 3-4) Tasks: • Develop training materials and user manuals for the e-commerce portal. • Conduct training sessions for the first batch of 100 MSMEs. • Provide ongoing support and assistance to MSMEs during training. • Collect and analyze feedback to improve training effectiveness. • Ensure the MSMEs are proficient in using the platform by the end of the training period. Milestone 4: Training for 100 MSMEs 2nd Batch (Months 5-7) Tasks: • Update and refine training materials based on feedback from the first batch. • Conduct training sessions for the second batch of 100 MSMEs. • Provide ongoing support and assistance to MSMEs during training. • Collect and analyze feedback to improve training effectiveness. • Ensure the MSMEs are proficient in using the platform by the end of the training period.

Work Location

Remotely

Expected duration

7 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: The project "Enhancing MSMEs Soft Infrastructure & Internationalization in the Arab Region" aims to strengthen micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Arab countries facing security, financial or political transitions. By improving access, capabilities and sustainability, it seeks to create a supportive business environment through better regulatory frameworks and trade agreements, enabling MSMEs to participate in global markets. Aligned with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the project promotes trade facilitation, investment, and international cooperation. Leveraging partnerships with ITC, UNCTAD and UNIDO, and building on ESCWA's previous successes, the project focuses on enhancing MSMEs' competitiveness and resilience, fostering economic growth and employment in the region. Duties and Responsibilities: The consultant will be responsible for ensuring the prompt and precise fulfillment of designated duties, ensuring that all tasks are completed accurately and adhere to ESCWA’s policies and procedures. The responsibilities of the consultant span over six months and include: Dashboard Development: • Develop a comprehensive dashboard to monitor the activity and performance of MSMEs that are supported by ESCWA to embrace e-commerce. • Ensure the dashboard provides real-time insights and key metrics to track the progress and impact of ESCWA's support programmes for MSMEs. Directory Development: • Design and develop a user-friendly directory within the e-commerce platform to showcase all e-commerce MSMEs in the region. • Ensure the directory is easy to navigate with the necessary filters to facilitate searching for specific MSMEs based on various criteria such as industry, location, and products/services offered, etc. • Enhance the visibility of MSMEs in the region by optimizing the directory for search engines and implementing marketing strategies to drive traffic to the platform. Quality Assurance and Testing: • Implement rigorous testing protocols to ensure the platform functions smoothly and meets all quality standards. • Identify and fix any bugs or issues that arise during the testing phase. Customization for MSMEs: • Customize the platform to meet the unique requirements and preferences of Arab MSMEs. • Ensure the portal addresses the specific needs of different MSME sectors. Training and Support: • Provide training and support for 200 MSMEs on how to use the e-commerce portal effectively. • Develop user manuals and support materials to assist MSMEs in navigating the platform. Launch and Post-Launch Support: • Oversee the successful launch of the e-commerce portal. • Provide post-launch support to address any issues and ensure the platform operates smoothly. • Implement necessary updates and enhancements to ensure the platform remains relevant and effective. Budget Management: • Manage the project budget, ensuring the allocated salary covers technical expenses such as platform development, software tools and any other necessary resources. • Track expenditures and optimize resource allocation to stay within budget. Reporting and Documentation: • Document all processes, findings, and project progress throughout the duration of the contract. • Prepare comprehensive reports, detailing the outcomes and success of the project. • Create detailed technical documentation for the e-commerce portal, including system architecture, codebase and integration points. Note: The offered sum encompasses all potential expenses, including technical requirements, web hosting, and associated costs, ensuring comprehensive coverage for the project's needs.

Qualifications/special skills

A bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Business Administration, E-commerce or a related field is required. A master’s degree in a related field is desirable. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree or proof of work experience. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Minimum 4 years of relevant work experience in e-commerce platform design and development is required. Proven track record of successful e-commerce implementations, with an emphasis on customization, user experience and integration is required. Demonstrated proficiency in designing and developing e-commerce platforms tailored to the needs of MSMEs. Hands-on experience with various aspects of platform development, including architecture design and feature implementation is required. Proven track record of successfully managing projects of similar scope and complexity within the e-commerce domain. Experience in developing and adhering to project timelines, managing resources, and coordinating with cross-functional teams to ensure project objectives are met is required. Extensive experience working with MSMEs or similar businesses, preferably in the Arab region, understanding their unique challenges and requirements in the digital marketplace. Ability to customize e-commerce solutions to address the specific needs and preferences of MSMEs, fostering their growth and success is required. Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements governing e-commerce operations, including data protection and privacy laws. Experience in ensuring platform compliance with relevant regulations, mitigating legal risks and maintaining data security standards is required. Ability to adapt e-commerce platforms and strategies to resonate with Arab audiences, taking into account cultural sensitivities, language preferences and consumer behaviors. Experience in implementing localization efforts, such as language translation, currency support and culturally relevant content creation, to enhance user engagement and drive business growth is required. Proficient in navigating the unique payment and logistics challenges within the Arab region's e-commerce landscape. Skilled in integrating payment gateways tailored to local preferences and regulations and optimizing logistics for diverse delivery infrastructures. Experience in addressing payment security, ensuring smooth transactions, and enhancing overall customer satisfaction is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in Arabic and English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.