Development Executives needs to engage a technical expert on a short-term basis for 40 days for one of its co-managed projects.

1. Position:

• Trade Pipeline & Matchmaking Specialist/Expert - ICT Industry

2. Objectives:

The specific objectives of the assignment are listed below:

1. Conduct a need assessment of the industry to identify high potential segments/product categories that can generate high trade volumes with possibility of repeat trade between US and Pakistan based businesses
2. Advise and undertake socialization/advertisement of the pipeline effort with the relevant stakeholders.
3. Development of a trade pipeline of sellers (based on, but not limited to, priority sectors of USAID-IPA, and results of the need assessment) with high potential of incremental bilateral trade between Pakistan and the United States
4. Develop a database of buyers relevant to the products/services being offered by the businesses shortlisted in the seller trade pipeline for effective matchmaking and lead generation.
5. Facilitate meetings and B2B interactions between the businesses, translating into trade deals.

3. Specific Tasks:

The specific tasks under this consultancy for Trade Pipeline & Matchmaking Specialist/Expert include:

1. Meeting with IPA Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party and/or his designee to understand the specific requirements of the scope of work and design and submit work plan and outreach strategy for execution of the activity.
2. Reporting to Deputy Chief of Party and/or his designee.
3. Conducting a detailed need assessment of the industry to identify the most potent segments/products that will generate the highest desired results. These segments/verticals will be the focus of the activity and expected to generate the most favorable outcomes; however, this does not exclude other segments/verticals from the industry not identified in the need assessment
4. Developing ranking criteria for buyers and sellers separately (of US and Pakistan origin businesses) based upon which the companies/businesses will be shortlisted and added to the seller pipeline and buyer database. The ranking criteria should be able to best determine the selection of companies that have the most potential to close trade deals.
5. Overall, the resource will be responsible for developing the seller pipeline and facilitating B2B engagements and lead generation through matchmaking for US and Pakistan based businesses/organizations, with a clear target of increasing bilateral trade between the two countries through signed trade deals.
6. The resource will also be responsible for creating a buyer database for the relevant products and services being offered by shortlisted pipeline sellers.
7. Devising a comprehensive outreach plan and carry out necessary preparations to develop material for outreach, which includes introductory emails including details from the program statement, project templates (offline and online) and other templates for various platforms necessary to promote the activity to relevant target audience - ensuring that all activities and materials are standardized. The activity will be carried out in coordination with, and from approval of IPA and other relevant entities.
8. Executing the outreach plan both online and in-person to onboard companies that can be a part of the seller pipeline and buyer database in the following categories:
   1. Buyers from the US (Pakistan Exports to US)
   2. Sellers from Pakistan (Exports to US)
   3. Sellers from the US (Imports to Pakistan)
   4. Buyers from Pakistan (Imports to Pakistan)
9. Carrying out the initial completion of information, logical and sanity errors check of the projects received using the broad data analysis, desk/secondary research, news checks, internal discussion/professional judgment, document check (if any), business offerings and/or requirements documentation, any other tool/analysis which the resource think fit for vetting process. This would be the initial screening process to be carried out for shortlisting for further processing to be included in the main pipeline of sellers or database of buyers.
10. Detailed evaluation of applications based on – but not limited to following:
    1. Evaluating the businesses in terms of availability of information, and also assessing the business offerings with potential and capacity necessary for successfully executing trade deals.
    2. Evaluating businesses to assess the likelihood of generating repeat business through the trade deals.
    3. Evaluating the business and forming recommendations and subsequent justifications for the inclusion in the final seller pipeline and buyer database of businesses.
    4. Evaluating the businesses in light of ESG targets and SDGs. The projects are also to be categorized and prioritized accordingly.
11. Shortlisting a minimum (no upper limit) of 50 businesses (divided equally between ICT and non-ICT sectors respectively for each specialist/expert) from the initial screening list - based on the seller ranking criteria, to be a part of the final trade pipeline of sellers. The pipeline should be precise and aligned in terms of requirements and offerings from each side (seller and relevant buyer database and vice versa) with the underlying vision of effective matchmaking that results in increased bilateral trade. The pipeline should have the right sellers, based upon the identified requirements from buyers.
12. Development of robust database of businesses (divided equally between IT and non-IT sectors respectively for each specialist/expert) buying products/services, from the initial screening list - based on the ranking criteria, to be a part of the final database of buyers. The pipeline should be precise in terms of requirements and offerings from each side (seller and relevant buyer database and vice versa) with the underlying vision of effective matchmaking that results in increased bilateral trade. The buyer database should have the right buyers, based upon the identified offerings from sellers.
13. Update and maintain the final seller pipeline and buyer database and its relevant data for use in matchmaking and any other related activities that may fall within the scope of this, or any other future requirement by USAID – IPA. This entails, but is not limited to maintaining company details, offerings or requirements, POC and contact details etc.
14. Facilitate the buyer-seller matchmaking process from the list of final seller pipeline and buyer database companies, resulting in at least 200 online/in-person meetings. This includes preparing a matchmaking plan, scheduling meetings, facilitating and ensuring meetings between the companies (buyers and relevant sellers) with approval and coordination of IPA and relevant team members.
15. Facilitate trade deals to the tune of USD 10 million collectively between ICT and non-ICT sectors, through the matchmaking activity
16. All these activities are to be carried out in coordination and collaboration of the specialist/experts, both trading parties, and relevant IPA team members.
17. Submit final report.

4. Required Qualifications

Required qualifications for the consultant for Technical Expert (STTA) – Local/ Trade Pipeline & Matchmaking Specialist/Expert (ICT Industry) for “Developing trade pipelines” are as follows:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in International Business/Business Administration/Economics and any other related field from a reputable Pakistani or Foreign University.
• Minimum 7 years or above experience in international business development, with at least 4 years’ experience in I.T industry.
• Strong knowledge of bilateral trade between Pakistan and the US.
• Strong network and connections with trade and industry associations, chambers, and regulatory bodies associated with the industry.
• Work experience in US or markets outside Pakistan in relevant field is preferred
• Strong network within the Pakistani and/or US I.T industry
• Excellent written/oral presentation skills in both English and Urdu.
• Skillful in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power point.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Knowledge of economic issues and prevalent economic trends of Pakistan.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, performance oriented, team-based environment with minimal supervision.

5. Duty Station: The specialist/experts will work with the related IPA personnel, based in Islamabad. Field visits to various locations for consultations may take place.

6. Duration of the Assignment:  This job is planned to take place as per a start date of on or around January 21, 2024, and end date of on or before June 30, 2024, hereto for a total of 40 days LOE.