81294019-User testing and support to the adaptation of digital solutions for informal micro-entrepreneurs

Digital transformation has proven to be a lever for informal enterprises in particular to improve their employment and income situation. However, digital transformation in Ghana is currently exacerbating inequalities between informal micro-entrepreneurs and larger, tech-savvy businesses, for example in terms of access to markets, customers and credit. MSMEs often lack the basic skills to optimise, expand and secure their economic activities through digital applications, services and channels. Overall, businesses, especially informal MSMEs, are not benefiting sufficiently from the digital transformation in Ghana. Without digital inclusion policies, the population is threatened by reduced employment prospects, barriers to accessing the labour market, internal migration and general uncertainty in dealing with the ongoing digital transformation.

The project Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development in Ghana (01/2023 - 12/2025), implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), aims to improve the economic situation, especially of informal micro-enterprises, through digital transformation. The direct target groups of the module are peri-urban informal micro-entrepreneurs, especially women and young people. The intermediaries are representatives of innovative start-ups, students and employees of public authorities and private and public service providers. The project is based on three outputs:

(1) The project aims to strengthen public capacity and cooperation at national and regional level to promote digital entrepreneurship, with a focus on developing support measures such as operational and monitoring plans with partners. It builds on successful formats such as the Ghana Digital Innovation Week and promotes collaboration between digital ecosystem actors in the target regions to increase efficiency.

(2) Improving access to targeted digital solutions can make micro-enterprises more efficient. Relevant digital services and tools are already available on the market, but they are not tailored to the capacities and needs of the target groups. The project will support digital Solution Providers (SP) to develop products that meet the specific needs of informal MSMEs. It will also establish central contact and advice points for digital services, including the expansion of existing public structures or the creation of new agent networks.

(3) Coaching and mentoring in the use of digital solutions strengthens the digital business skills of informal micro-entrepreneurs. Trained mentors support micro-entrepreneurs in their day-to-day operations. In addition to a strong focus on women entrepreneurs, men are also involved in activities to raise awareness of gender equality issues and to engage them as agents of change.

Hauptort der Ausführung: 00000 Ghana

The contractor is responsible for achieving project output indicator 2.1, which requires the development of 12 digital services tailored to informal micro-enterprises - 8 of which are inclusive (i.e. gender-sensitive, user-centred, accessible) - either new or adapted to the target group.

Digital services are business-related services that are fully or partially delivered through digital tools, such as door-to-door e-commerce sales models, financial transactions, etc. The objective of this contract is to enable the participating intermediaries to conduct user testing processes, to advise solution providers on the adaptation of their digital services, and to provide the basis for intermediaries to continue user testing processes independently after the end of the contract. The solutions tested and adapted under this contract will later (i.e. outside this tendered service contract) be integrated into the GIZ project to provide advisory services on digital entrepreneurship and coaching and mentoring, particularly for women-led micro-enterprises.

The contract includes four work packages, which are designed to be user-centred and demand-driven, with a particular focus on informal sector MSMEs in peri-urban areas. The digital development principles will inform the strategy and design of the work packages and the approach will reflect a gender transformative and inclusive design.

1. Onboard and train intermediaries

This first work package aims at recruiting and training local intermediaries and facilitators who, under the guidance and supervision of the contractor, will be responsible for mobilising testers (target group), conducting user tests, consultations and subsequent validation. The contractor will be expected to develop a set of selection criteria, recruit intermediaries or facilitators, provide training, and develop a communication and support plan. The aim of this package is to identify intermediaries who can support the implementation of the work packages and provide user-centred design services in the future.

2. Onboarding of Solution Providers (SP) and User Testing

The second work package includes the identification and engagement of digital solution providers (SP) and the development and implementation of user tests involving both SP and the target user group. The contractor is expected to engage and involve shortlisted SP from the private, public and non-profit sectors and to refine user test concepts tailored to their specific products. Under the guidance of the contractor and with the involvement of both the SP and the target group, the intermediaries will conduct user tests that will produce actionable recommendations and design proposals for the solution providers to independently adapt their existing solutions for the target group.

3. UX Consultation + Field testing

In the third work packages, the contractor is expected to establish a clear schedule and milestones to track the progress of the SP in implementing the recommendations from the user test reports. This will include regular check-ins and consultation or facilitation of sprints, progress reports and recommended deadlines for deliverables such as prototypes and business plans. In addition, the contractor will be expected to develop and lead the implementation of concepts for detailed field-testing processes and validation of adapted solutions with the target audience.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation and Recommendations

The purpose of this work package is to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the contract across all work packages. In addition, the work package aims to provide clear and operationalisable recommendations for further activities and to develop an open source guide for intermediaries and SP to institutionalise and self-sustain the user tests after the current support.

The assignment will be conducted between October 2023 and March 2025.

Preis - Gewichtung: 30.00

Beschreibung der Optionen:

Anzahl der eingegangenen Angebote von KMU: 3

Anzahl der elektronisch eingegangenen Angebote: 5

Bekanntmachungs-ID: CXTRYY6Y1BW4URLT

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