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BACKGROUND
The Jordan Economic Reform Activity Task Order 1 (ERA TO1) is a 5-year, $54 million program funded by USAID, which aims to support the Government of Jordan (GOJ) to prioritize and implement economic reforms. Through coordination with the GOJ, the Jordanian and international private sector, other donors, and Jordanian civil society, ERA TO 1 will (1) advance economic reforms, (2) strengthen the business enabling environment, (3) increase exports and local, regional, and international investments, and (4) respond to emerging priorities.
Further, Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision and Jordan’s National Export Strategy [NES] refer to the importance of Jordan’s services sector as key driver of export-led economic growth, export diversification and job creation. The NES action plan priority activities include the development and launch of tools that will allow companies in both manufacturing and services sectors to assess their export readiness and maturity capability with objective to address gaps and facilitate their export market access and success.
OBJECTIVE
This SOW will contribute to the implementation of ERA activities aimed at export promotion (Component 3.1), included in the Y2 workplan under activity 3.1.3. Develop and/or customize an export readiness tool for the services sector. ERA will identify a local consultant to develop an export readiness assessment tool for two service sectors: the architecture engineering and the ICT sectors (Y2 Activities 3.1.3). This SOW has been developed based on a request from JE, Architecture and Engineering (A/E) Business Council, and INTAJ to enable companies in the ICT and architecture engineering sectors to strengthen their export capabilities. Currently, there is no such tool/practice within these two services sectors, and services in general. This assessment tool will differ from the tools adopted by Jordan Exports (JE), Business Growth Activity (BGA) and AmCHam that target the manufacturing sector.
The Export Readiness Assessment Tool will address sector-specific market and capability requirements and will enable the JE team to
- screen services sector companies for export readiness and enable companies to identify and access new markets.
- develop support programs for companies to get them export ready and embark on B2B export journey.
- incorporate the tool as part of the planned A/E Export Program that ERA will design to qualify and target A/E companies to export to the US Market and other high potential markets (Y2 Activity 3.1.18
Furthermore, ERA will work with the JE and select Trade Promotion Institutions (TPIs) such as INTAJ and A/E Business Council to build their capacity to utilize the tool sustainably in the future. It will also attempt to standardize buyer requirements from the demand side, which will be a step towards unifying and institutionalizing the assessment of service sector companies. JE will be the owner of the tool which it will use in coordination with stakeholders in each sector including AmCHam, A/E Business Council and INTAJ.
The two-services sector export readiness tool will enable JE, INTAJ, and the A/E Business Council to better assess and target services to potential exporters with the goal to screen 20 companies from each of the service sectors. It will also enable the JE to design services for service sector which will translate into higher exports. It will also facilitate the assessor to unveil export competitiveness barriers and gaps and design targeted interventions and programs to assist service companies on their export journey.
This activity will correspond to ERA indicator 2: percentage of USG assisted organizations with improved performance and indicator 3: number of governmental entities that implemented (new/upgraded) systems/tools/processes/working methods to improve (specific area of services/functions).
DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES
The specific activities are:
| Activity | LOE |
| Conduct a review and analysis of the supply and demand sides of Jordan ICT and architecture engineer service sectors and coordinate with relevant associations to develop an export readiness assessment tool that takes into consideration the particularities of Jordan’s capability and capacity | 20 |
| Apply the Export Readiness Assessment Tool to an existing business and develop a case study to be used in trainings | 5 |
| Deliver a 2 – 3 days training to JE and additional stakeholders such as INTAJ and A/E Business Council, providing an overview of the tool and building the capacity of these organizations on its use and implementation directly with the Jordanian firm services sector | 3 |
| Outline a follow up capacity building program and pilot to test the tool in context with select potential companies and make the necessary amendments should the need arises. | 2 |
LOCATION OF ASSIGNMENT
This assignment shall be conducted in Amman.
DELIVERABLES
The deliverables for this assignment shall consist of the deliverables specified in the table above.
| Deliverable No. | Deliverable Name | Due by |
| 1 | Inception Plan | 1st week |
| 2 & 3 | Export Readiness Tool for each sector including an export readiness assessment SOP/manual and an export readiness digital scoring template | 5th week |
| 4 | Case Study on application of export readiness tool using a specific business in the ICT and/or architecture engineering sector | 6th week |
| 5 | Training Program Plan and Materials | 7th week |
| 6 | Plan outlining follow up capacity building programs and pilot test | 8th week |
Remarks:
- Deliverables no. 2 and no.3 will be submitted to ERA, JE, INTAJ and A/E Business Council first as a draft for comments and feedback before submitting them as final deliverables.
- The tools, supplementary documents and trainings shall be delivered in English.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, marketing international trade, or another relevant field. Advanced degree such as MBA preferred
- Minimum of 8‐10 years of relevant experience in the areas of international trade, export promotion and/or sales
- Proven experience in producing assessment tools and delivering trainings and capacity building on the tool’s use
- Demonstrated knowledge and familiarity with the service sectors in Jordan, in particular the ICT and architecture engineering sector
- Knowledge of International Trade Center (ICT) tools and harmonized systems
- Developed networks with regional and international buyers and established relations within tech- enabled and architecture engineering service sectors
- Prior experience within Trade Promotion Institution or Agency is preferred
- Strong project management, communication, and collaboration skills
REPORTING
During this assignment and activity, the consultants will directly report to the Acting Export Promotion Team Lead.
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications no later than Thursday, April 06, 2023
