PROVIDE TECHNICAL ADVICE ON BUSSINESS STRATEGY

The Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX) is a recent set up in Ethiopia. The vision of ECX is to revolutionalize Ethiopia’s tradition bound agriculture through creating a new market place that serves all market actors, from small holder farmers to traders, possessors, exporters and consumers. The ECX is a unique partnership of different market actors, members of the exchange and the main promoter, the government of Ethiopia. ECX creates opportunities for un paralleled growth in the commodity sector and linked industries, such as transport, and logistics, banking and financial services and others. ECX assures all commodity market players the security they need in the market through providing a secure and reliable End-to End system for handling grading and storing commodities, matching offers and bids for commodity transactions, while serving all fairly and efficiently. ECX creates trust and transparency through aggressive market data dissemination to all market actors, through clearly defined rules of trading, warehousing , payment and delivery; and business conduct and through an internal dispute settlement mechanisms. ECX provides market integrity at three important levels, the integrity of the product itself, the integrity of the transaction and the integrity of market actors. ECX Management: The Proclamation governing the exchange states that its management will operate on an independent and professional basis, on commercial terms. The senior management of the ECX will be composed of a Chief Executive Officer and Officers in different fields of specialization. In order to enhance the success of this new and strategic initiative ECX was being managed by a team of internationally recruited top caliber professionals, with deep domain of knowledge with experience of working conditions in Ethiopia The government of Ethiopia has committed to an ECX transition plan in which an international management team and consultants to be deployed with the support of UNDP, and work closely with a pool of national experts with a view of transferring functions over a period of time.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective of the Assignment: To provide technical support to ECX in reviewing and re-drafting Strategic Plan for the Exchange, and in designing brands, corporate communications, marketing, and membership recruitment strategy. The main deliverables under this objective will include: Strategic Plan formulation for the Exchange over the short to medium term. Design of branding, corporate communications, marketing, and membership recruitment strategy. Assessment of Strategic Performance and recommendations for re-alignment In order to deliver on the above results, Under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor, the consultant is excepted to: Manage sales team to recruit and work with Members of the Exchange Management of communications and marketing team to develop communications campaign, publications, and branding and other outreach activities. Manage market research team to undertake studies of new commodity sectors and scope for additional membership, performance tracking and identification of strengths, challenges, and opportunities affecting the health and viability of the enterprise, for business development initiatives including new contracts, new products, new offerings, and new members. Work closely with Trading Operations unit to ensure that business strategy is smooth and progressing as planned and to determine readiness for new products. Work closely with Compliance and Risk Management officers to determine readiness and risks associated with launching new Members, introducing new types of contracts, or new commodities. Methodology: This assignment will include desk review of relevant documents, close engagement with staff and partners and drafting and finalization of deliverables during which consultant will be located full time at ECX and will work closely with the Policies and Strategies Department, Under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor . The consultant will also ensure regular communication of the mission progress to UNDP, through the Chief Technical Advisor. Timelines: The consultancy will be for a total of 90 working days (about 4 months) fully in the country with a minimum of 5 working days, starting July 25, 2011. Management Arrangements: UNDP will be responsible for the recruitment of the consultant and management of the assignment. Once these Terms of Reference are signed, they are considering binding and will be annexed to the Special Service Agreement signed by the consultant. UNDP and the consultant may agree to amend the Terms of Reference, in which case the amended version will be signed accordingly.

Competencies

Communication: Ability to present information clearly and persuasively Seeks out the ideas and views of others Adaptable, consistently professional, concise, and engaging. Ensures that messages are understood and reflects the input from others. Results / Quality Orientation: Ability to set high standards and maintain the commitment, motivation, and energy to achieve them while at the same time ensuring high quality of programs and services. Adaptability / Behavioral Flexibility: Ability to make decisions under ambiguous circumstances. Tailors procedures to different people, situations, and issues. Adjusts strategies and behaviors as new information becomes available and as priorities change. Team Work: Ability to work collaboratively with others, demonstrating commitment to achieve group objectives, understanding the needs and goals of others and adapting own views and behavior when appropriate

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Masters degree in Finance, Communications, Business Management, Economics or related field. Experience: Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible work experience in business process, business architecture, with good knowledge of accounting/ auditing, and commodity or securities trading. Language: Fluency in English DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSAL: Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: Proposal: (not more than 450 words). Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work. Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work (if applicable) Financial proposal: Contracts based on monthly fee. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references EVALUATION: Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies: Cumulative analysis: The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: responsive/compliant/acceptable, and Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. Technical Criteria weight; 70% Financial Criteria weight; 30% - Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 point and above would be considered for the Financial Evaluation Criteria Weight Max. Point Technical (based on CV, Proposal or Interview) Minimum educational background and work experience (CV) 10% 10 Understanding of scope of work and methodology (From Proposal) 20% 20 Individual Competencies (Desk review or interview) 40% 40 Financial 30% 30 Proposals and CV should ONLY be submitted at the following address:-e-mail: procurement.et@undp.org;

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

PROVIDE TECHNICAL ADVICE ON BUSSINESS STRATEGY