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Consultancy - US Market Navigator Training - USAID TRADE

Project Overview and Role:

Trade Reform and Development in Egypt (TRADE) is a USAID funded project whose objective is to increase Egypt’s international trade by increasing exports from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the activity’s “selected sectors”; Engineering Products, Food Processing, Home textiles, Ready Made Garments, Chemicals, Printing and Packaging, and Building Materials
The TRADE Activity will achieve the following three Results:
Enhanced Export Capacity of SMEs, in particular New and Expanding Export- Ready Enterprises (NEEREs)[1] in the Selected Sectors.
Strengthened Public and Private Trade-Support Institutions (e.g., Trade Associations, Export Councils, etc.); and
Improved Trade and Investment Policy, Regulatory and Institutional Environment



[1] New and Expanding Export Ready Enterprises is a specific term for TRADE that refers to a sub-set of SMEs.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Assignment Background

USAID TRADE has actively supported its partner TSI, the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AmCham), to develop export-related services. In this context, the project, in collaboration with AmCham, plans to create a certification program for sector-specific US Market demand conditions tailored to the needs of Egyptian companies seeking to export to the US, focusing on key industries such as textiles, ready-made garments, and food. This training program aims to equip participants with the essential knowledge and skills required to understand the US market dynamics within these sectors, identify market opportunities for Egyptian products and services, assess logistics and market entry strategies, market segmentation, target prices, and latest import legislation and navigate US import regulations; establish successful trade relationships; and develop export business plans to enter the US market.

The program's primary goal is to equip participants with the necessary marketing, selling, and supply chain management skills to export to the United States market successfully. It offers a hands-on learning experience through project-based learning, enabling participants to understand and effectively enter and expand in the US market. The program is expected to have international accreditation, possibly from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and/or the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA). Its practical nature ensures its relevance and effectiveness, as it is specifically tailored to the key exporting sectors from Egypt: textiles, ready-made garments, and food. The program will initially focus on a few similar verticals, with the primary target audience being mid to large-size Egyptian exporters of goods or services.

USAID TRADE is seeking to hire two short-term experts to offer technical assistance to the American Chamber of Commerce Career Development Center in Egypt, providing a blueprint for the definition and implementation of this program.

Activities

The consultants will undertake the following tasks:

• Build a comprehensive framework for a training program on US market demand conditions for the apparel and textile sector, outlining its objectives, content, structure, and key components.
• Build a comprehensive framework for a training program on the US market demand conditions for the food and beverage sector, outlining its objectives, content, structure, and key components.
• Define the program length and determine the weight of content aspects within the certificate curriculum.
• Develop guidelines for creating export plans to enter or expand within the US market specific to the textiles, apparel, and food sectors in alignment with international standards and best practices.
• Identify relevant case studies within these sectors to be included in the program and establish the timeline for their delivery.
• Establish criteria for selecting trainers and/or panelists with expertise in textiles, ready-made garments, and food industries to contribute insights to the program while demonstrating practical experience in export promotion.
• Define the criteria for evaluating export plans submitted by participants, including the rubric criteria tailored to these sectors.
• Conduct a thorough analysis of available sources of information related to international trade, export regulations, and market entry strategies within these sectors.
• Evaluate various delivery modes for the certificate program, considering both in-person and online formats.
• Develop a detailed timeline for establishing the program, including milestones for content development, participant enrollment, and program launch.

Roles With Stakeholders

• Collaborate closely with AmCham and relevant industry stakeholders to gather input and insights into the design and implementation of the US Market demand conditions for the RMG Sector.
• Liaise with subject matter experts, industry professionals, and government representatives to ensure the program's relevance and effectiveness.
• Consult and liaise with the two proposed accreditation bodies - ICC and NCBFAA- to ensure the full accreditation of the program according to their standards and requirements.
• Provide regular updates and progress reports to AmCham and USAID TRADE Project.

Deliverables

• A comprehensive framework document outlining the objectives, structure, and components of the US Market demand conditions tailored to the apparel and textile, and food industries.
• Guidelines for creating export plans, including business-oriented templates and examples for participants to reference.
• Identified case studies of exporting to the US relevant to the program curriculum, within the textiles, apparel, and food industries, with a clear timeline for their integration into the program.
• Criteria for selecting panelists and evaluating export plans submitted by participants, documented in a rubric format tailored to these sectors.
• Analysis reports on available sources of information, modes of delivery, and the timeline for program establishment within the apparel, textile, and food industries, ensuring sector specific relevance and effectiveness.

Period of Performance: o/a May 12th, 2024, to o/a September 19th, 2024

Total LOE: 70 person days

The combined qualifications for consultants undertaking the mentioned tasks should include:

1. Subject Matter Expertise:

• Extensive knowledge and experience in international trade, particularly with a focus on the US market demand conditions for the apparel, textile, and food sectors.

• Strong understanding of international standards, best practices, and regulations governing export activities in these sectors.

2. Curriculum Development Skills:

• Proven ability to design comprehensive training programs, including defining objectives, structuring content, and determining key components.

• Experience in developing guidelines and criteria for certificate program curriculum, ensuring alignment with industry standards and participant needs.

3. Industry Experience:

• Demonstrated practical experience and expertise in textiles, apparel, and food industries, preferably with hands-on involvement in export promotion activities.

• Familiarity with market dynamics, trends, and challenges specific to these sectors, enabling effective guidance and case study selection.

4. Training and Facilitation Skills:

• Ability to select and evaluate relevant case studies, aligning them with program objectives and participant requirements.

• Proficiency in identifying and selecting qualified trainers and panelists with expertise in the specified sectors, ensuring their contributions enhance program effectiveness.

5. Analytical Skills:

• Capability to conduct thorough analyses of international trade sources, export regulations, and market entry strategies, providing valuable insights for program content development.

• Strong evaluation skills to define criteria and rubrics for assessing export plans submitted by participants, tailored to the textiles, apparel, and food sectors.

6. Delivery Mode Expertise:

• Experience in evaluating various delivery modes for certificate programs, including in-person and online formats, and determining the most suitable approach based on program objectives and participant accessibility.

7. Project Management Skills:

• Proficiency in developing detailed project timelines, establishing milestones, and managing program implementation from content development to launch.

• Ability to coordinate and collaborate with stakeholders, ensuring smooth execution and timely completion of program deliverables.

Company Overview:

About Palladium - Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.

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