Project Background
EBSOMED is a 4-year project, extended for an additional year (2018-2023), co-financed at 80% by the European Union for a global amount of EUR 6, 25 million. It is co-financed and coordinated by BUSINESSMED (The Union of Mediterranean Confederations of Enterprises) in the framework of the EBSOMED consortium which consists of 6 members: GACIC (German-Arab Chamber of Commerce), ASCAME (Association of Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce), ANIMA Investment Network, EUROCHAMBRES (Association of European Chambers of Commerce), CAWTAR (Center of Arab Women for Training and Research).
EBSOMED has been designed to dedicate particular emphasis to reinforcing Business Support Organizations’ management capacity and efficiency through instruments, providing capacity building and training to improve the sophistication of Euro-Mediterranean Private Sector Organizations and help them address existing gaps.
EBSOMED aims at achieving a higher indirect economic leverage by helping BSOs to make a qualitative scaling up in regard to the services they offer to their beneficiaries, while pursuing this successful cross border cooperation dynamic.
The work of the Expert will be executed within the framework of both BUSINESSMED and the EBSOMED project and its outputs will feed into the achievement of their objectives.
About BUSINESSMED
The Union of Mediterranean Confederations of Enterprises is a regional organization that gathers Confederations of Employers Organizations from 20 Countries of the Euro- Mediterranean region.
Created in 2002, BUSINESSMED has become the main representative of the private sector in the Euromed region and a privileged platform for multilateral cooperation for the benefit of the employers’ confederations and more than 1’200’000 public and private affiliated companies by promoting foreign direct investments and socio-economic integration in the region.
As one of the main Business support organizations dedicated to multilateral cooperation in the Mediterranean, BUSINESSMED’S mission is to enhance exchanges and strengthen the Mediterranean business ecosystem by reinforcing regional cooperation, social dialogue, and policymaking.
Overall objective of the Thematic Committee
In the past years andfollowing the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a dramatic increase in digitalization and digitization of services for Businesses and Business Support Organizations to remain relevant and expand their reach.
The aim of the committee is to focus on the impact digitalization has had on the 20 Members of BUSINESSMED and internationally active SMEs in the region, to identify best practices and success stories to foster the digitalization of services across the Mediterranean.
The works of this commission will be an important tool to feed the European Commission on a regular basis on trends and updated country reports.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Identification of the available pertinent structural indicators.
- Explore different digitalization and digitization models and analyze the quality and efficiency in the targeted countries/policy context and implications;
- Analysis of their progress and perspectives;
- Analysis of best practices and new business models to be replicated;
- Producing scenario and projections by 2030, bearing in mind national strategies ofthe target Countries;
- Make clear suggestions for the involved parties and the decision makers, to improve the trend and make it converge with the economies in the Region;
- Preparation of periodical surveys;
- Preparation of a regional factsheet;
- Preparation of a regional thematic paper.
Timeline
The length of the mission will stretch over 10 months (March 2022 – December 2022) with an expected start in March 2022. The selected expert will be assigned to perform his mission for 10 months with possibility of renewal of the contract. The renewal of the contract will be the subject of an amendment signed by both parties. The appointed advisor will be expected to deliver through remote management (home-based), with the possibility of in presence meetings, upon request of the BUSINESSMED secretariat.
In addition, upon agreement, the Expert will be requested to moderate during specific events related to the topic of research, as well as to feed into the BUSINESSMED’s business talks format by moderating or participating as a guest in the format.
*It will be expected from the expert to prepare his missions ahead of time, desk research including reviewing relevant documentation (Structural indicators, trends, scenario, surveys, thematic paper etc...) and agreeing on relevant meetings for reviewing state of progress.
Outputs and tentative Timeline
- Preliminary study, and proposal of the research question: Mid-April 2022
- Periodical Survey: July 2022
- Final Regional Report: October 2022
- Factsheet (Synthesis of Regional Report): November 2022
Expert profile
- At least a master degree in social sciences or relevant fields, with extensive experience (6 years minimum) in the field of technology and digitalization
- Extensive experience in the thematic area to be covered, including the following: digital technology, digital Marketing, Digital Business analysis and data protection.
- Solid experience in practical research and knowledge capture, project management;
- Solid track record in undertaking national and regional levels surveys;
- Experience conducting track studies at the national and regional levels;
- Good analytical and quantitative capacity with experience in survey methodology;
- Fluency in written and spoken English and French is required;
- An ability to design and elaborate prospective studies and scenarios;
- Ability to elaborate surveys, reports and policy papers;
- A track record in working with different countries fromthe EuroMed region is an advantage.
Submission of Proposals and Deadlines
Please send your completed application containing a CV, Cover letter and financial offer (part time / man day) to network@businessmed-umce.org before the 15 March 2022, stating “BUSINESSMED-DIGITALIZATION TC2022” in the subject heading.
Kindly note, that due to the high number of applications only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.