General invitation for expressions of interest for

hiring of individual consultants

Community Development Fund (CDF) is a nongovernmental organization with the mission to work on community development and create conditions for integration, equal access and inclusion through expertise and innovation solutions, through supporting local initiatives, as well as capacity building in communities.

CDF is implementing the USAID funded Kosovo Inclusive Economic Engagement Activity, which is a five-year project aimed at empowering and reviving women- and minority-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The activity will increase economic opportunities and improve the resiliency of target MSMEs. Strengthening them will contribute to private sector growth and increased integration into the overall economy in Kosovo. Based on the needs of the Inclusive Economic Engagement Activity, the following areas of short term expertise are required to support the project implementation and the targeted beneficiaries.

In accordance with the CDF Operating Manual Guidelines, and in order to support the implementation of the Kosovo Inclusive Economic Engagement Activity, CDF invites all qualified professionals/experts to express their interest to be part of roster in the areas listed below:

The expertise is required in the following fields:

• Business Planning and Development Expert

The expert will be required to assess current business strategies, conduct market analysis, and create tailored business plans for women and minority-owned MSMEs. This may include identifying growth opportunities, setting strategic objectives, and offering actionable recommendations. The expert may potentially assist in executing these plans, ensuring progress towards the business goals of the targeted MSMEs.

• Digital Marketing and Online Presence Expert

The expert will engage in enhancing the digital presence of women and minority-owned MSMEs through strategic digital marketing campaigns. Responsibilities include optimizing online platforms, managing social media presence, and analyzing performance metrics. The expert may cooperate with MSMEs to create compelling content, improve brand visibility, and generate leads through effective online marketing strategies. The expert will contribute to the growth of these businesses while ensuring improvement of their online presence.

• Sales and Marketing Expert

The expert will support the sales and marketing efforts of women and minority-owned MSMEs to drive revenue growth. Responsibilities may include developing sales strategies, identifying target markets, and overseeing marketing campaigns. The expert will work closely with the targeted MSMEs to set sales targets, implement pricing strategies, and establish effective sales channels. The expert may be engaged in monitoring market trends, analyzing competition to maximize market share and profitability in sales and marketing efforts.

• Market Linkages and Value Chain Expert

The expert will be requested to be involved in building connections between women and minority-owned MSMEs and relevant industry stakeholders to enhance market access. Responsibilities may include facilitating partnerships, collaborations, and distribution networks that create opportunities for business expansion. The expert will be required to contribute to the growth and sustainability of these businesses by establishing market linkages. The expert may be required to optimize processes and connections within the value chain of women and minority-owned MSMEs.

• Franchising Expert

The expert will be required to design and facilitate franchising systems for women and minority-owned MSMEs. Responsibilities may include designing and facilitating implementation of franchising models that enables business expansion by granting others the right to operate under their brand.

• Customer Relationship Management Expert

The expert will be required to support the development of strong customer relationships, enhance satisfaction, and drive loyalty for women and minority-owned MSMEs. Responsibilities may include supporting the targeted MSMEs understanding customer needs and preferences to deliver better products and services, increasing customer retention, and ensuring a customer-centric approach.

• Quality Control and Assurance Expert

The expert will be required to develop quality standards and processes tailored for women and minority-owned MSMEs. Responsibilities may include ensuring that products and services meet defined quality standards and adhere to regulatory requirements.

• Human Resource Management Expert

The expert will be required to support women and minority-owned MSMEs in developing HR management guidelines in areas such as recruitment, training, and employee relations for women and minority-owned MSMEs.

• Innovation and Product Development Expert

The expert will be required to support the development of new innovative products or services for women and minority-owned MSMEs. Responsibilities may include leading efforts to create and improve products or services to stay competitive and meet market demands.

• B2B Technical Expert

The expert will be required to provide technical assistance to the women and minority owned businesses in refining their B2B strategies. More specifically the responsibilities may include equipping them with the essential knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to better business outcomes in B2B and matchmaking events, leading to new business partnerships and an increase in their customer bases.

• Export Trade Expert

The expert will be required to support women and minority-owned MSMEs in fulfilling compliance with trade regulations, and market entry strategies for regional and international markets. Responsibilities include navigating the complexities of cross-border commerce to enable global expansion and diversity in international trade.

• Legal Compliance and Regulatory Expert

The expert will be required to develop the capacities of women and minority-owned MSMEs in to comply with laws and regulations of the industry. Responsibilities may include guiding these businesses in adhering to legal requirements and avoiding legal issues.

• Environmental Sustainability Practices Expert

The expert will be requested to support the implementation of eco-friendly practices and sustainability initiatives for women and minority-owned MSMEs. Responsibilities may include guiding targeted MSMEs in adopting environmentally responsible practices to reduce their ecological footprint and comply with international environmental regulations.

• Risk Management and Mitigation Expert

The expert will be required to conduct risk assessments for women and minority-owned MSMEs by identifying potential vulnerabilities that may impact their operations. The expert responsibilities may include thorough analysis and provision of actionable recommendation to mitigate these risks, with a primary aim of safeguarding these businesses from financial losses and protecting their reputation

• Business Digitalization Expert

The expert will be required to facilitate the adoption of digital technologies to streamline operations and increase business agility for women and minority-owned MSMEs. Responsibilities may include transforming traditional processes into digital solutions.

• Intellectual Property Rights and Patent Expert

The expert will be expected to provide guidance on intellectual property rights and patent protection for women and minority-owned MSMEs. Responsibilities may include capacity development to businesses in understanding and protecting their intellectual property assets, along with providing guidance for securing patents for products and services.

General Remark: Specific Terms of References will be developed for each required expertise prior to expert recruitment. The required expertise may involve individual technical expertise/assistance, group training, research and mentorship sessions among others.

Eligibility/Selection requirements:

Interested candidates must fulfill the following criteria:

• Have a university degree in a related field, advanced degree will be considered as an asset;
• Have extensive knowledge in one of the above-mentioned areas of expertise (with evidence of the work experience)
• Consultants should have at least five (5) years’ + experience in assessment, design, supervision or similar works and expertise for each related fields mentioned above.
• Be a citizen of Republic of Kosovo
• Excellent oral and written knowledge of English language (locally spoken languages will be considered as an asset)
• Excellent writing, analytical, communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work under close coordination and supervision of the respective CDF project team
  

Application procedure

All interested candidates who wish to apply should submit the CV-s and references about the previous experience in accordance with the requirements listed above.

A list of pre-qualified professionals shall be established by the area of expertise, and when it comes to the selection of a consultant for a specific CDF project a selection committee of at least three CDF staff shall select and compare at least three qualified candidates who are the best suited for the particular task and select one of them.

CV and references can be submitted throughout the year to the following e-mail addresses at: [email protected]

When applying kindly indicate in the subject line the area of expertise for which you are applying.