1. Background
The Government of Uganda, represented by the Ministry of Finance and Planning and Economic Development (MoFED) in collaboration with the International Development Association (IDA) and other development partners, including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Sweden, is implementing the Investment for Industrial Transformation and Employment (INVITE) project. The project is financed by the International Development Association and a Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF).
The Project Development Objective is to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 on private sector investment and employment and to support new economic opportunities, including in refugee and hosting communities.
The Project comprises of four components and is being implemented jointly by the Bank of Uganda (BoU) and the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU). The Project Components include: Component 1: Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 with a focus on the Manufacturing and Exporting Sectors Driving Economic Transformation, including Refugee and Hosting Districts; Component 2: Creating New Product and Transformative Assets including in Refugee and Host Districts; Component 3: Enhancing Capabilities in Public Institutions and Private Firms; and Component 4: Implementation Support, Monitoring, and Evaluation.
More details on the project can be found at www.invite.go.ug.
Component Objective
The EFS is under Component 3, whose objective is to boost Ugandan firm exports in value added manufacturing products to regional and high-income markets. This program will support potential and existing exporters to enter new export markets and or expand their presence. The project targets exporters who are willing to diversify or access new markets and firms that have the potential to start exporting. To be eligible for support from the project, firms must produce manufactured or semi-manufactured products with some value addition.
Key Indicators
The interventions through the component are expected to result into firms reporting export sales or an increase in exports. The key indicators include:
· Firms reporting export sales or an increase in exports
· Increase in Employment levels in manufacturing, Small & Medium firms
· Percent increase of women in exporting firms employed
· Number of women-owned exporting firms
· Exports of manufacturing products to High Income Countries increase in %
As the primary implementing agency for INVITE, the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) seeks to engage the services of export development consultants to support the Project Implementation Team (PIT). The local export development consultants will support potential and exporting firms to identify export opportunities and meet consumer demand through specialized technical assistance and capacity-building activities. In addition to consulting support from local and international business experts, firms may receive support from consultants established in the target markets and have knowledge and access to specific clients. These consultants will also act as mentors and assist firms in identifying and contacting potential clients.
2. Objectives of the Assignment
The major objective is to assist firms in penetrating both regional and international export markets. This will enhance the growth and competitiveness of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), ensure quality assurance in service delivery, and address barriers to accessing export markets for value-added products.
3.S cope of Work
The roles and responsibilities of the local ED consultants will be to:
1. Provide tailored advice to firms based on their products and capabilities and selected export market.
2. Build firms' capacity to meet export requirements in selected markets, i.e. quality, and compliance standards.
3. Develop and support a 6/12 month export investment plans, with milestones and perfromance benchmarks.
4. Support the acquisition of international standards, certifications, and regulations required for target markets.
5. Provide training and mentorship to MSMEs on export procedures, documentation, and logistics.
6. Submit regular reports detailing advisory activities, firm-level outcomes, and recommendations for further support.
4. Qualification, Experience, other skills, and Competencies
· A minimum bachelor's degree in business administration, economics, international trade, marketing, engineering, or a related field.
· Proven knowledge of certifications in export development, trade facilitation, or related disciplines will be an added advantage.
4.2 Relevant Experience:
i) At least 5 years of experience providing advisory services to MSMEs, focusing on export development.
ii) Proven track record of facilitating successful market linkages and supporting firms in accessing foreign markets.
iii) Proof of quality of work previously undertaken by the consultants including certification and relevant formal qualification.
iv) Demonstrated expertise in market research, sales and marketing, digital marketing, exporting, etc.
4.3 Other Required Skills and Competences:
- Strong knowledge of international trade standards, certifications, and regulatory frameworks.
- Familiarity with value chain development, product value addition, and export-oriented business strategies.
- Proficiency in developing and delivering capacity-building programs for MSMEs.
5. Key Results /Deliverables
(i) Implementation of actions (at least 2) by the firm to expand export sales.
(ii) Identification of product and export market for each collaborating firm.
(iii) Activity sheet: type of service, topic, number of minutes, etc.
(iv) Performance report, with sales target and actual, exports target and actual, employment status, female and male, etc.
(v) Periodic written reports on the export supply chain constraints (time and cost).
6. Reporting:
The Export Development Consultants will be selected by the firm and will work with the firm in implementing the selected activities. The Export development consultants will work and report to the firm and to the PSFU. The Export consultants will also work with international markets and export advisory firms as needed and when available.
7. Duty Station:
The local Export development consultants shall be engaged as and when required through the approved and published list on the INVITE portal. They will be engaged on short-term basis by eligible potential/ exporting firms, and the duty station shall be the selected firm’s office.
8. Facilities to be provided by the firm:
The selected firm shall provide office space, with access to other office amenities, during the client letter of agreement duration.
9. Duration of Services:
The local consultant Export Development will be engaged on a contractual basis for the duration of the assignment.