Development of a Microsite

1. Project Description
One of the main issues observed in Lebanon for agri-food businesses and cooperatives is the big disconnect between what can be produced versus what is being produced. This is even more accentuated by the growing demand of the market for locally produced agri-food products. Local producers are facing high pressure in order to meet the market demand, volume and quality expectations.
Therefore, it is important to support and give valuable data and skills for companies to create new products for the local market. Producers must not adapt to market conditions but create new untapped local markets for which demand is low but growing. MSMEs and cooperatives are in theory flexible and can adapt to shifting market demands and trends; however, this is not really the case in Lebanon. Creating new alternatives to international brands for energy bars, chocolates, pasta is the only logical step for a sustainable agri-food sector in Lebanon. The traditional “Mouneh” products are becoming less and less profitable and the market is extremely saturated especially for MSMEs and cooperatives. Therefore, a more structured process and more intelligent strategic planning is needed through an incubation program.
To respond to the identified needs, FTL will implement the incubation program supporting 25 agri-food MSMEs and cooperatives in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. The project will be conducted over a period of 18 months.
2. Microsite Description
To conduct a successful outreach and communication campaign, an informative Microsite, where all the information about the incubation program will be displayed, needs to be developed. Potential beneficiaries will be able to apply to the program through the microsite, and all their relevant information will be collected and stored for the selection process.
3. Target
SMEs and Cooperatives
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4. Scope of Work
The selected service provider will have to work on the following:
1. Following the Fair Trade Lebanon branding guidelines, develop a microsite for the program with the following sections:
- Program Overview and Objectives;
- Application Forms
- Gallery (images and videos);
- News – to share information on open calls, project milestones, events, etc.
- Links to social media and other networks;
- FTL Contact information.
2. Secure the domain and set up SSL - Acquire the domain name as soon as possible. SSL certificates should also be generated in favor of security and search engines.
3. Hosting and storage – During development, advice on suitable web hosting and storage options as soon as possible & provide cost implications.
4. Optimize for SEO - Website should be optimized for search engines.
5. Generate an XML sitemaps - critical task for the SEO strategy.
6. Test website before going live.
7. Support and maintenance: This would include administrative and technical support, quality control maintenance, security, bug fixing, additional design and development as required, based on monthly priorities.
8. File handling strategy - Certain files will need to be publicly visible while others will need to be hidden or readable only by administrators.
9. Optimize security settings – developer needs to outline the website security strategy to mitigate vulnerability to hackers and other malicious users.
10. Develop the content and the design of 2 learning videos.
5. Deliverables
The Service Provider is expected to provide the following:
a. Methodology and work plan;
b. Draft web designs for review, integration of feedback and final approval;
c. Domain Name
d. Design, development and delivery of a fully tested and functional website including the functionalities specified above, deployed online in coordination with Fair Trade Lebanon team;
e. Monthly maintenance, web design and development support.
6. Qualifications
The service provider should possess the following qualifications:
- At least 5 years’ experience in the related sector.
- Demonstrated previous experience in undertaking similar assignment in related sectors
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- Quality of work in similar assignments done for other clients in terms of design and features.
- Qualification of Key Personnel.
- Proof of registration for companies. (Including VAT)
7. Skills
- Adheres to FTL values
- Good interpersonal communication skills
- Engaged in developing self and others
- High degree of self-motivation
- Excellent leadership, team building, and management skills
- Good time management
- Organized and able to create multiple timelines and schedules