Result of Service

Expected Outputs The Consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs:

Inception Report, including methodology, curriculum development approach, training delivery methodology, workplan, implementation timeline, and coordination arrangements; technical guidance to inform the design of the Call for Applications process, including SME eligibility and selection criteria;
Training Curriculum and Learning Materials, including online modules, workshop toolkits, presentations, practical exercises, assignments, facilitator guides, participant resources, and supporting materials;
Delivery of the online training programme for at least 100 SMEs from participating LDCs, including participant registration, participation tracking, learning analytics, completion records, and training evaluation results;
Delivery of live virtual workshops, including session materials, participation records, recordings (where applicable), and session summaries;
Final Training Programme Report, including training implementation results, participant statistics, learning outcomes, feedback analysis, lessons learned, recommendations, and practical guidance for future scale-up and sustainability. Key Tasks and Deliverables The following table provides an overview of the key tasks to be conducted by the SME Digital Transformation and Training Expert/Consultant. Tasks: 1) Inception and programme planning: Prepare the Inception Report and support the initial set-up of the training programme, including confirmation of the curriculum development approach, detailed training content, training delivery methodology, implementation timeline, workplan, and coordination arrangements; technical guidance to inform the design of the Call for Applications process including SME eligibility and selection criteria with UNTB. 2) Ongoing coordination and reporting: Maintain regular coordination with UNTB regarding implementation progress, agreed timelines, deliverables, reporting requirements, and technical guidance to ensure the successful delivery of the training programme. 3) Desk review and curriculum design: Conduct a focused desk review of relevant SME digitalization programmes, entrepreneurship support initiatives, digital transformation frameworks and international good practices relevant to LDC contexts, with the objective of informing the development of the training curriculum and learning materials. The desk review shall remain practical and limited in scope and shall not constitute a standalone research exercise. 4) Training content development and delivery: Develop the training curriculum, online modules, presentations, practical exercises, assignments, templates, and supporting materials, in consultation with UNTB and subject to review and approval prior to delivery and deliver the online training programme for at least 100 SMEs from participating LDCs. Facilitate learning sessions, practical discussions, and knowledge-sharing activities to strengthen SME digital skills and support digital transformation. 5) Monitoring, evaluation, and programme adaptation: Monitor participation, completion rates, and participant feedback, identify opportunities for improving training delivery and learning outcomes, and adapt training materials as required based on feedback and lessons learned. 6) Validation and finalization: Revise and finalize training materials and programme outputs based on participant feedback and comments provided by UNTB, with final outputs subject to UNTB review and approval, and ensure all training-related deliverables are finalized and submitted in accordance with agreed requirements. 7) Final training programme report: Prepare the Final Training Programme Report, including implementation results, participant statistics, learning outcomes, feedback analysis, lessons learned, recommendations, and practical guidance for future scale-up and sustainability. Deliverables:
Inception Report, including implementation methodology, curriculum development approach, training delivery methodology, workplan, implementation timeline, and agreed coordination arrangements; technical guidance for the design of the Call for Applications process including SME eligibility and selection criteria;
Documentation of regular coordination meetings and implementation discussions with UNTB, including progress updates, implementation recommendations, and agreed follow-up actions, as required.
Training Curriculum and Online Learning Package, including training modules, presentations, practical exercises, templates, assignments, facilitator guides, participant resources, and supporting materials adapted to SMEs operating in LDC contexts.
Delivery of the online training programme for at least 100 SMEs from participating LDCs, including attendance records, participation tracking, assignment monitoring, completion records, and learning summaries.
Final Training Programme Report, including implementation results, participant statistics, learning outcomes, participant feedback, lessons learned, recommendations, and practical guidance for future scale-up and sustainability of SME digitalization training initiatives in LDCs. All deliverables listed above shall be submitted to UNTB for review and approval. Payments shall be made only upon satisfactory completion and formal approval of the corresponding deliverable by UNTB.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

9 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Digital transformation is a critical enabler of inclusive growth, resilience and sustainable development in Least Developed Countries (LDCs). LDCs are low-income countries confronting severe structural impediments to sustainable development. They are highly vulnerable to economic and environmental shocks and have low levels of human assets. SMEs play a critical role in economic growth, job creation and innovation in LDCs. However, many SMEs continue to face significant barriers in adopting digital technologies, including limited digital skills, inadequate access to business development services, low awareness of digital solutions, fragmented innovation ecosystems, and limited exposure to practical digital transformation tools and methodologies. The United Nations Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries (UNTB), with funding support from the Government of Türkiye, is implementing the project “TechBridge: Building SME Capacity in LDCs”. The project aims to contribute to the inclusive and sustainable economic transformation of LDCs by strengthening the digital readiness and resilience of their SME sectors. By advancing digital capabilities, the project seeks to enable SMEs to become drivers of innovation, job creation, and cross-border trade in the digital economy. The project responds to ecosystem-level constraints faced by SMEs in LDCs, including limited digital skills, weak access to business development support, low adoption of digital tools, and fragmented innovation ecosystems, by providing practical and implementation-oriented capacity-building support adapted to LDC contexts. South-South cooperation and knowledge exchange with emerging innovation ecosystems play an important role in supporting LDCs to accelerate digital transformation and entrepreneurship development. Türkiye’s experience in SME development, entrepreneurship support, digitalization programmes, technology ecosystems and innovation support mechanisms provides practical lessons that may be relevant and adaptable for SMEs operating in LDC contexts. The project will support SMEs from participating Least Developed Countries (LDCs) through a structured online capacity-building programme. Activities will be delivered primarily through online modalities and in English. As part of the project, online training sessions and live virtual workshops will be organized to strengthen the digital skills and capabilities of participating SMEs. These activities will provide practical guidance on digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and the adoption of digital tools and business practices to enhance SME competitiveness, productivity, resilience, and participation in the digital economy. The National Consultant will be responsible for the design, development, and delivery of the SME Digitalization Training Programme under the TechBridge project, including the preparation of training curricula, learning materials, practical exercises, online training content, and the facilitation of online learning sessions and live virtual workshops for participating SMEs. The National Consultant will be expected to design and facilitate online training sessions and live virtual workshops. To ensure that the training programme is relevant and responsive to the needs of SMEs in LDCs, the Consultant will conduct a desk review of relevant literature, SME digitalization programmes, entrepreneurship support mechanisms, digital transformation tools, and international good practices. The consultant is then expected to leverage the findings to inform the design and adaptation of the training curriculum, learning materials, and practical exercises, in collaboration with UNTB. All training content, curriculum design, delivery methodology, and learning materials shall be developed in consultation with and subject to review and approval by UNTB. The training programme constitutes a foundational component of the broader TechBridge initiative. Building on the knowledge and skills acquired through the training programme, participating SMEs may subsequently be supported through additional project activities, including mentorship, peer-learning, and practical digital transformation support. Together, these interventions are expected to contribute to increased digital readiness and resilience of SMEs, enhanced adoption of digital tools and platforms, improved business efficiency and market access, and stronger participation in the digital economy. Purpose and Scope of Assignment The National Consultant will be responsible for the design, development, and delivery of the SME Digitalization Training Programme under the TechBridge project. The Consultant will support the development of a structured online capacity-building programme for SMEs in participating LDCs, including the preparation of contextualized training curricula, learning materials, practical exercises, appropriate case studies, online learning content, and the facilitation of virtual learning sessions. The Consultant will be responsible for ensuring the quality and timely delivery of all outputs and deliverables under this assignment. All deliverables shall be submitted for review and approval by UNTB prior to finalization and acceptance. The project aims to strengthen the digital readiness and resilience of SMEs in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) through structured online training and practical capacity-building support focused on digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and the adoption of digital tools and business practices. As part of the project, the consultant is expected to organize online training sessions and live virtual workshops to strengthen the digital skills and capabilities of participating SMEs. These activities will provide practical guidance on digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and the adoption of digital tools and business practices to enhance SME competitiveness, productivity, and resilience. The assignment focuses on the design, development and delivery of the online training component of the TechBridge project, which serves as a foundational element of the broader initiative to strengthen SME digital capabilities and competitiveness in LDCs. The training programme will need to be suitable and appropriate for the LDC context, while building on existing SME digitalization methodologies and international good practices related to entrepreneurship development, innovation ecosystems, digital adoption, and SME competitiveness and business growth. Under the overall supervision of UNTB and in close coordination with the programme team and relevant stakeholders from participating LDCs, the National Consultant will perform the following duties:

Prepare a detailed Inception Report including the proposed methodology, detailed course content, training delivery approach, curriculum development approach, workplan, implementation timeline, and coordination arrangements, for review and approval by UNTB prior to implementation.
Take into consideration key challenges affecting SMEs in LDCs, including digital skills gaps, access to digital infrastructure, inclusion, and sustainability considerations, when designing and delivering the training programme.
Conduct regular consultations and coordination meetings with UNTB throughout the assignment to discuss and refine the proposed training curriculum, content, learning materials, delivery methodology, and implementation approach, and incorporate feedback provided by UNTB;
Present draft training curricula, learning materials, and proposed delivery modalities to UNTB at key stages of development and revise them based on feedback received prior to finalization and implementation;
Lead the design, development, and delivery of the SME Digitalization Training Programme, including the preparation of training curricula, learning materials, presentations, practical exercises, assignments, and supporting resources adapted to SMEs operating in LDC contexts in consultation with and subject to review and approval by UNTB;
Facilitate peer-learning exchanges, live virtual workshops, and digital strategy presentations to support knowledge sharing and practical application of digital transformation approaches among participating SMEs;
Identify opportunities, challenges, and good practices related to SME digitalization in LDC contexts and reflect these in the design and delivery of the training programme;
Develop practical recommendations and learning resources to support SME digital transformation, innovation adoption, and business growth in LDC contexts.
Lead the preparation of training materials, participant resources, workshop documentation, learning assessments, implementation reports, and other outputs related to the delivery of the training programme.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Management, Information Systems, Digital Transformation, Economics, Development Studies or a related field is required. - A minimum of eight (8) years of professional experience in SME digitalization, digital transformation, entrepreneurship development, innovation ecosystems, ICT for development, or related areas is required. - Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering online training programmes, mentorship programmes, and/or capacity-building initiatives for SMEs is required. - Demonstrated experience engaging with SMEs, entrepreneurship support organizations, innovation ecosystem actors, and/or public institutions is required. - Demonstrated understanding of SME operational challenges, digital adoption barriers, and entrepreneurship ecosystem constraints in developing countries, acquired through relevant professional experience, is required. - Demonstrated knowledge and practical application of SME digital transformation frameworks, digital business tools, e-commerce, digital marketing, and innovation support mechanisms is required. - Demonstrated analytical, research, coordination, and report-writing skills, evidenced through previous assignments, publications, reports, or similar outputs, are required. - Experience working with governments, SMEs, universities, entrepreneurship support organizations, and/or international organizations is highly desirable. - Experience implementing or supporting at least one (1) project, programme, training, advisory assignment, research initiative, or capacity-building activity in one or more Least Developed Countries (LDCs) is desirable.

Languages

Fluency of English is required.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

National Consultant for the Development and Delivery of an LDC SME Digitalization Training Programme