Expert To Develop A Sustainability Strategy For The Digital Business Platform

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Description

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• Assess current policies and regulations in digital business development-related services in the agriculture and environment sectors, focusing on agriculture stakeholders in Karakalpakstan but also considering those relevant to Uzbekistan as a whole to identify gaps, opportunities, or threats for BDP sustainability.
• Provide an overview of, and assess the array of the existing public sector, private sector, and project-funded platforms related to Agriculture and the Environmental sectors, with a particular focus on Climate Smart Agriculture and Value chain development in Karakalpakstan and Uzbekistan, to identify market niches or opportunities for the BDP.
• Assess the current roles of the different stakeholders directly involved in the management, information contribution, and services provision to the BDP.
• Existing BDP-related documentation (contracts, design, and implementation reports) will be provided by GGGI.

• Provide a SWOT  analysis for the BDP (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats).
• Considering the assessments of the BDP services and Environment and the SWOT Analysis, the consultant will provide recommendations to address the main technical sustainability issues, what services should be maintained, how those services should be improved, and/or dismissed from the BDP operations.
• Propose a segmentation for BDP’s services related to the clients/users in Karakalpakstan region.

• Considering the BDP services and environment assessments, the SWOT Analysis, and the technical BDP recommendations, the consultant will:
• Assess the financial needs of the BDP, including the technical improvement recommendations after the Aral Sea GRIP Project ends.
• Identify different options for the financial sustainability of the BDP, including at least 3 self-monetizable options.
• Recommend the 2 most feasible scenarios for BDP financial sustainability with a detailed implementation roadmap (these scenarios could include several mixed options). A business model for each one of these 2 scenarios must be generated, including the cash flow and financial indicators.

• Considering previous activities, the consultant must provide a clear step-by-step report describing the sustainability strategy for the BDP. At a minimum this report will include: 
• BDP current services and suggested technical improvements.
• Services segmentation for the target public.
• Financial sustainability scenarios including their business model, cashflow and financial indicators.
• Assessment of the stakeholder’s roles linked to the 2 most feasible financial scenarios.
• include the ownership of the platform after project closure and
• propose a stakeholder engagement plan, including roles and responsibilities and capacity development plans for each one of the involved stakeholders.

• At least two (2) visits, one to Tashkent and one to Karakalpakstan region (Nukus), for interviews and focused discussion groups (business platform providers, BDP platform clients/users, and other relevant stakeholders) should be conducted during the consultation process.
• While GGGI will aim to support these visits and participate in consultation meetings, all logistical arrangements and expenses for their conduct and all translation services are the responsibility of the consultant.
• GGGI will provide the contact information and introductions for the consultant to relevant stakeholders. The meeting arrangements will be the responsibility of the consultant. GGGI must receive invitations to all the consultation meetings.

• The expert will work under the guidance of GGGI Land Use Officer, in close consultation with GGGI Green Investment Specialist and BDP focal point (Communication Specialist) as well as GGGI’s BDP private sector partner Consort Group. 

• To be considered for the position, the candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed below:
• Professional Competency: Minimum master’s degree in finance, agroeconomics, economics, agriculture, public/business administration, social sciences, and or other related fields.
• Experience: At least 10 years of working experience with agriculture-related business development services.
• At least 4 years of working experience in digital platforms in business or agribusiness must be demonstrated.
• Work experience, and knowledge of agricultural/agribusiness/environment sector value chains in Karakalpakstan (preferred), Uzbekistan or Central Asia (required).
• Communication: Fluent oral and writing ability in English (both oral and written) is required.
• Communication: Oral and writing ability in Uzbek and/or Russian are desirable.

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