International Consultant, Development of the Small and Medium Enterprises and Start-up Acceleration Programmes (SSA)

Background:

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD) provides support to the host country in the second dimension of security by supporting development of small and medium enterprises in Tajikistan. In order to facilitate development of ecosystem in Tajikistan, relevant entities (state and non-state) were established which provide relevant trainings, programmes and organizes events. These entities also operate in regions of Tajikistan to ensure inclusiveness of all layers of society, particularly youth. The POiD actively co-operates with the State Institution “Business Incubators” to promote business knowledge and skills among population. At the same time, being recently established, there is a need to enhance its capacities by providing good practices and recommendations on provision of relevant training modules for start-up acceleration programmes and other business related courses to further improve effectiveness. In addition to this, development of new additional modules would be required to further ensure delivery of relevant course with the aim to address development of small and medium enterprises. It is vital to provide recommendations which would improve outcomes of pitching events thus promoting development of SMEs upon completion of acceleration programmes. 

Objective of Assignment: 

The POiD is planning to hire an international consultant in the field of development of start-ups acceleration programmes and business incubation to support the host country in development of the small and medium enterprises. 

Duration of Assignment:

Three months

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Economic Officer of POiD and an international consultant, the consultant will perform the following tasks:

1. Conduct needs assessment analysis on current gaps, business and start-up acceleration programmes, trainings by meeting with relevant stakeholders;
2. Elaborate recommendations for criteria selection of candidates for  start-up acceleration programmes;
3. Provide recommendations on reaching out more potential investors for the pitching event;
4. Draft additional programmes for the trainings and start-up acceleration programmes with modules considering areas of advantages of Tajikistan;
5. Develop a written step-by-step guidance on implementation of start-up acceleration programmes with specific timeframes and relevant topics required in this regard;
6. Provide recommendations for sustainability and improving network of  State Institution “Business Incubator”;
7. Elaborate recommendations on setting local angel investor network and university co-operation models.
8. Draft a set of recommendation for training modules for IT-parks (or similar) with the aim to enhance digital skills of beneficiaries.

Note: A consultant will work remotely, due to the global pandemic situation. A visit to Tajikistan might be conducted considering improved situation in this regard.
 

Deliverables:

Deliverables   

• Report of meetings with highlights and main conclusions are drafted;
• Needs assessment analysis of existing trainings, start-up accelerations programmes, sustainability and current gaps are conducted;
• Following set of recommendations are developed based on needs assessment analysis:

1. On existing trainings, start-up acceleration programmes, including types and topic of modules;
2. Selection criteria of candidates/participants for programmes and trainings;
3. On attraction of potential investors and other possible sponsors for pitching events;
4. On enhancing sustainability and improving network of business incubations centres;
5. On setting local angel investor network and university co-operation models;
6. For development of IT-parks

• Additional programmes and training modules to support development of SMEs are developed;
• Step-by-step guidance on conducting start-up acceleration programmes is developed with inclusion of good practices;
• Report on work done related to the assignment, comprising of detailing activities undertaken and outlining progress achieved in relation to the objectives of assignment, also stating challenges and constraints.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, please see: https://www.osce.org/programme-office-in-dushanbe

Necessary Qualifications:

• University degree in economics, economic development, business development, marketing or related field;
• Minimum 6  years of professional experience in the field of improvement of start-up business ecosystem and strategy for development of start-up business sector;
• Experience in development of programmes for start-up acceleration modules and other business knowledge related trainings;
• Experience in leading and conducting courses on start-up acceleration, modelling of business, marketing, strategy development for the private sector is a big asset;
• Knowledge of economy and business climate of Tajikistan in an asset;
• Professional fluency in the English and Russian languages, both oral and written;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

Remuneration

The consultant will be remunerated commensurate with consultant’s experience and qualifications in accordance with OSCE established rates. Applicants should indicate whether they wish to be included in the OSCE Roster of Consultants for similar assignments.

Please note that applications received after the deadline, submitted in different formats than the OSCE Application Form or in other languages than the English language will not be considered.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://jobs.osce.org/vacancies.
The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.
Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.
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