Kyrgyzstan: Solutions for Growth of Apparel Micro- and Small Enterprises, Kyrgyzstan

Overview

Since 1963 and in 147 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that designs and delivers technical and management solutions in agriculture, economic growth, and resilience to promote economic prosperity and social inclusion.

Solutions for Growth of Apparel Micro- and Small Enterprises, Kyrgyzstan

ACDI/VOCA is seeking Solutions for Growth of Apparel Micro- and Small Enterprises for the Enterprise Competitiveness Project (ECP), funded by USAID. The ECP Project aims to accelerate sales growth and increase job creation among Kyrgyzstani small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The USAID ECP will partner with end markets, SMEs, business development/advisory service providers, government agencies, associations, and other market actors who are willing to co-invest to accelerate inclusive, market-led growth by fostering a system that increases market access and competitiveness, catalyze investment, unlocks opportunities for women and youth, builds skills, and encourages a more enabling business environment.

Solutions for Growth of Apparel Micro- and Small Enterprises assignment will address the formal and informal challenges to growth of micro and small enterprises in the apparel sector in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The position is based in Bishkek and the length of the assignment is March-December 2019 with a Level of Effort of 75 business days.

Responsibilities

INCEPTION PHASE- LOE – 15 days

• Desk review of available information sources
• Engage enterprises, buyers, experts, and all relevant market players to come up with analysis of challenges and propose plausible solutions
• Elaborate the top two most viable options to address the challenges with detailed set of activities, requirements, analysis of pros and cons, timeline, costs
• Submit inception report that includes the analysis and proposed options for approval by the USAID ECP Management

IMPLEMENTATION STAGE - LOE – 60 days (in Bishkek and on distance)

• Workplan with milestones and timelines aimed at: a) establishing systems/mechanisms to address the challenges, b) obtaining supply contracts for these enterprises covering longer timelines, and c) increasing sales of these enterprises
• Presentation of the workplan to the Project Management and to representatives of the enterprises
• Carry out mid-term assessment and implement appropriate changes to the workplan as approved by the Project Management

Qualifications

• Good knowledge of the apparel sector internationally;
• Familiarity with the current markets of the Kyrgyzstani SMEs engaged in apparel manufacturing
• Successful experience in providing innovative solutions to issues of workers’ retention
• Successful experience in growing sales and linking small and micro-enterprises to more reliable buyers
• Successful experience in addressing similar challenges of micro and small apparel enterprises either in Kyrgyzstan or in another country with a similar situation that resulted in more regular orders and more predictable production schedules is an advantage
• Strong written & verbal communication skills
• Willingness to travel to Kyrgyzstan
• Ability to communicate in English and Russian is required, additional knowledge of Kyrgyz is preferred.

Please apply by submitting an email with your CV to: JoinKyrgyzstan@joinav.org. No phone calls please. Only those candidates considered for an interview will be contacted. ACDI/VOCA is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities and people from diverse groups are encouraged to apply.