E-Commerce Capacity Building Consultant for MSMEs

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), which was established to promote economic and social development in the Arab region. ESCWA aims to foster inclusive and sustainable development by providing a platform for dialogue and cooperation among member states. The organization operates in multiple countries across the Arab region, focusing on various sectors including economic development, social justice, and environmental sustainability. ESCWA has a diverse workforce comprising professionals from various backgrounds, working collaboratively to address regional challenges and support member states in achieving their development goals.

Job Overview:
The E-Commerce Capacity Building Consultant for MSMEs will play a crucial role in enhancing the e-commerce capabilities of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the Arab region. The consultant will develop a comprehensive training program and toolkit that empowers MSMEs to effectively launch and grow their e-commerce presence using AI tools. The training will be structured into modules that cover essential topics such as e-commerce setup, international market entry, AI and digital tools for content creation, content execution and automation, and e-commerce growth strategies. The consultant will also provide personalized coaching and support to participants, ensuring they gain the necessary skills to manage online stores, create optimized content, automate marketing, and expand into international markets. This position is aligned with ESCWA’s mission to strengthen the foundational capacities of MSMEs, enabling them to thrive in the digital economy and contribute to job creation and economic resilience in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

• Develop a comprehensive training curriculum on e-commerce and AI tools for small businesses, to be delivered in Arabic, English, and French. The curriculum will include modules on e-commerce setup, international market entry, AI and digital tools for content creation, content execution and automation, and e-commerce growth strategies.
• Create an e-commerce and AI toolkit that complements the training curriculum, providing MSMEs with practical resources to apply what they’ve learned. This toolkit will include a curated list of recommended digital tools, usage guides, and ready-to-use content templates.
• Deliver training and coaching for MSMEs, including a 12-hour virtual cohort training at least twice for participants of the E-Commerce Acceleration Programme 202
• The consultant will incorporate live instruction, tool demonstrations, interactive presentations, and Q&A sessions.
• Provide real-time group feedback and personalized coaching sessions to participants, ensuring they receive the support needed to implement their learning effectively.
• Conduct stand-alone training sessions for target countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project, either online or in person, as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in E-commerce, Business Administration, Digital Marketing, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related area. A minimum of 8 years of professional work experience in developing and delivering training programs on e-commerce, digital transformation, or AI tools for small businesses is required. Proven experience in designing practical training curricula and toolkits is essential, along with the ability to simplify digital tools for MSME audiences. Hands-on experience in e-commerce operations or managing an online business is also required, as well as demonstrated ability to conduct live virtual trainings and coaching sessions. Familiarity with AI-powered content generation tools, e-commerce platforms, and automation tools is desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as E-commerce, Business Administration, Digital Marketing, Computer Science, or Information Technology. Candidates must submit a copy of their educational degree as part of the application process, and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of professional work experience in relevant fields, particularly in developing and delivering training programs focused on e-commerce, digital transformation, or AI tools for small businesses. Candidates should have a proven track record of designing effective training curricula and toolkits, as well as hands-on experience in e-commerce operations or managing an online business.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic and English is required for this position, as these are the working languages of ESCWA. Knowledge of French is desirable, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency is defined as a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand), while knowledge is defined as a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 7 months and will be conducted remotely. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. Additionally, the organization does not request information regarding applicants’ bank accounts.