E-commerce Advisor

**Description**:
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
The Ecommerce Advisor, in close collaboration with and technical guidance from subcontractor Nextrade, will participate in the coordination, liaison, and execution of TRADE’s key Ecommerce strategy and interventions to 1) develop the digital export capacities of New and Expanding Export-Ready Enterprises (NEEREs) and 2) build TSIs capabilities to enable them to support Egyptian NEEREs in exporting online,

The Ecommerce Advisor will report to the Chief of Party, under close technical guidance and technical assistance and support from subcontractor Nextrade. Illustrative tasks include, but are not limited to helping the TRADE team, including Nextrade short-term experts, to:
Recruit a set of firms (for example, 30-50 of the 300 NEEREs), by integrating Nextrade’s ecommerce export readiness survey, to identify companies that are poised to succeed in cross-border ecommerce.
Facilitate the provision of technical assistance (TA) to the selected 30-50 NEEREs, depending on their digital readiness, products and channels.
Assess NEEREs’ current online capabilities, channels, and inventory, and then develop a customized approach (i.e., building a robust online presence using marketplaces and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) models), in collaboration with Nextrade, depending on their target market and capabilities.

Evaluate NEEREs’ store performance on marketplace(s) and optimize online presence and pricing through:
Help NEEREs select and use marketplaces and online stores.
In coordination with TRADE’s Partnerships Advisor, support NEEREs to build their online stores on B2B and B2C marketplaces conducive to cross-border trade (such as Amazon, TradeKey, and eBay, among others).

Liaise with TRADE’s Partnerships Advisor to build partnerships with DHL and UPS to provide discounted logistics, supply chain management, and warehousing services.
Promote NEEREs’ digital transformation, in coordination with different ECs and other TSIs.
In collaboration with R2 team, diagnose ECs/TSIs’ current workstreams, strengths, weaknesses, relationships and plans, if any, for ecommerce export promotion.
Support R2 team and Nextrade to organize a series of events to expose ECs/TSIs to global ecommerce export promotion models and best practices f as well as to the evolution of global ecommerce market and business models and technologies, and align on priority approaches in line with TSIs’ interests, capabilities and resources.
Develop and pilot with ECs/TSIs’ an e-exporter strategy and program.
Participate in the development and validation of an ecommerce services mapping designed by Nextrade and discuss optimal ways to present it to TSIs.
Liaise and follow up with Nextrade on developing and implementing train the trainer and capacity building programs.
Help TSIs to create an Egypt Digital economy and Ecommerce Diagnostic and use it to generate dialogue with local stakeholders about global best practices.
Support in other related matters as appropriate.

Required Qualifications:
B.Sc. in related business, e-commerce, digital marketing or digital business development field with a minimum of 7+ years of related.
Ideally prior experience in building or operating a fast-paced ecommerce business.
Knowledge of the ecommerce space that includes marketing strategies, product development, competitive strategies, consumer research, industry trends and usability best practices.
Deep knowledge of various platforms especially for cross-border ecommerce and digital marketing and online sales strategies to promote online sales and conversions.
Relationships with the ecommerce ecosystem in Egypt.
Experience in holding partnerships with development agencies and/or the private sector.
General understanding of the Egyptian economy and the role SMEs play in Egypt.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
Training and facilitating skills and experience.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with staff and partners in a cross-cultural environment.
Proficiency in both oral and written communication in both English and Arabic.

Project Overview and Role:
USAID’s Trade Reform and Development in Egypt (TRADE) project builds on decades of U.S. investments in Egyptian businesses and economic policy with the aim of substantially increasing Egyptian exports from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The TRADE project focuses on six selected sectors: engineering products, food processing, home têxtiles, ready-made garments, chemicals, and building materials. Through the project, USAID works with the Government of Egypt to improve the trade and investment policy environment and reduce barriers to trade. USAID also partners with business associations and export councils to strengthen the trade services ecosystem for small
- and medium-sized exporters, as well as with private companies to help them access new international markets to increase export sales. TRADE tackles many trade and in