Research Consultant – GSMA عودة إلى الفرص

Research Consultant – GSMA M4D

Context:

The GIZ has partnered with the GSMA Mobile for Development to create a Mobile Innovation Hub, as part of the Tunisian Digital Transformation Center, implemented by GIZ. Together with the Tunisian government and the local digital ecosystem, GIZ and the GSMA will collaborate on the development of mobile digital solutions and promoting the platform economy across various sectors, with specific emphasis on creating decent work and work opportunities. As a first step of the partnership, the GSMA is conducting landscaping research to assess the socio-economic potential of the platform economy in Tunisia.

“The platform economy business model leverages digital platforms that provide the mediation ecosystem to enable different actors to interconnect, match and exchange products and services while facilitating economic and social interaction.”

Assignment Objectives:

The GSMA is seeking the support of a consultant to repurpose, review and edit a current draft of the platform economy landscaping research report. This will also include mapping the existing platform economy in Tunisia, providing sufficient analytical outputs based on a methodical framework that may not be covered, producing graphs, delivering impact assessment, and providing background for contextual information.

Specifically, the consultant will:

1. Repurpose the current draft of the report: The consultant will review all relevant project documentation (including the latest draft of the report, report outline, interview write-ups, analytical framework, and any other relevant materials). The consultant will also be required to synthesize the current findings and produce the necessary modifications based on the existing draft report.
2. Incrementally complete the report production: Based on initial gaps in the landscaping report identified by the GSMA project team, the consultant will produce the following outputs:

• Definition of the platform economy (characteristics, types, business models, examples of platform economy from other countries, etc.)
• Benchmark: Articulate the impact of the platform economy on the macro and micro level, based on case studies in similar economies
• Investigate the key enablers and barriers to the development of the platform economy
• Provide an updated overview of the platform economy ecosystem in Tunisia:
• Map existing Tunisian platform economy models (name of the platform, sector of activities, specific technology, business model, target audience, etc.)
• Outline main platform economy trends and dynamics: specific business models, success factors, value captures, etc.
• Map current platform economy stakeholders and their roles
• Assess the Tunisian platform economy ecosystem from the readiness and scalability perspective based on the key Tunisian characteristics that may impact platform economic business models (strong labour unions, protected and regulated business sectors, state subsidies, (state) monopolies, etc).

Impact assessment:

Potential impact if mature sectors could benefit from the platform economy based on case studies of successful and unsuccessful platforms in Tunisia

Potential impact considering Tunisia’s socio-economic context such as sector disruption, stakeholder arrangements (supplier, customer, workforce, etc.), and digitization level (existence and the emergence of monopolies)

• Propose actionable recommendations to be implemented in the short and the long terms resulting from the assessment and based on a benchmark of best practices.

The outcomes of the report will be presented to the following stakeholders:

• Actors in the tech hubs in Tunisia
• Innovators
• Mobile operators
• Government stakeholders from relevant ministries
• Global and local tech investors
• Global experts in platform economy interested in being involved in the MENA region
• Academics (universities and individuals)

These outcomes will also be used to guide technical assistance to the relevant innovators in the sectors and guide discussions on policy in the form(s) of:

1. National Dialogue(s) series between public, private sectors, and innovation ecosystem
2. Capacity building for the public sector
3. Technical assistance for innovators and mobile operators

Methodology:

The overall methodology for the implementation of the assignment will be in 4 stages:

1st stage:

• Review existing material that was developed by the previous supplier
• Identify gaps
• Develop a detailed methodological outline of the assignment and prepare a PowerPoint presentation summarising the vision, framework, and research strategy of the landscaping research
• Regular meetings with the project team to agree and validate the methodological outline

2nd stage:

• Undertake analytical research, including documentary analysis stage and fieldwork-based on interviews with potential stakeholders (if required) to address identified gaps in the existing report content

3rd stage:

• Deliver a preliminary platform economy landscaping document, which will be presented to the GSMA team to ensure that the document is in line with the objectives. The final draft will go through rounds of review (GSMA/GIZ) until its final approval. The finalized landscaping research report will present the outcomes described in the assignment objectives section.

4th stage:

• Delivery of a final report (English), covering the methodology and the key aspects of the platform economy landscape in Tunisia

Expected Deliverables:

Deliverable 1

• A PowerPoint presentation (10-15 slides), outlining the vision, framework, and research strategy of the landscaping research based on a detailed methodological outline (to include working tools used to develop the mapping)

Deliverable 2

• Mapping including platform economy models in Tunisia

Deliverable 3

• A final report in English to include a summary of the methodology and the key aspects of the platform economy ecosystem in Tunisia discussed in the assignment objectives section

Consultant Profile:

• Background: Academic background (Masters or/and Ph.D.) in the field of open innovation, digital transformation, platform economy and/or another relevant field
• Proposed approach: Demonstrated experience in conducting research and information gathering, analysis, and report writing
• Previous experience with this topic/kind of work: Experience in conducting or contributing to similar studies related to the platform economy model
• Market familiarity: Excellent knowledge and understanding of the Tunisian innovation ecosystem
• Alignment of the proposal with programme objectives for the report: Excellent communication, research design, and analytical skills
• Professional capabilities: Very good writing and synthesis skills in English.

Method of Execution:

Throughout the process, the consultant will work in close collaboration with the GSMA Ecosystem Accelerator team. The GSMA project team and GIZ key staff will review and approve the deliverables.

Suggested timeline of project and summary of deliverables:

Selection Criteria: