Let's put it this way, I got forwarded the same thing some months back by
Shahid Akhtar (recently retired from UNDP/APDIP if that rings a bell - and
it should for anybody in the ICT space). Shahid is a guy that I respect,
and I'd have taken this on except that I'm not too good at BPOs anyway.
Its worth giving this the old college try if anything else .. pessimism
doesn't help.
srs
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf
> Of ashok _
> Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2008 3:02 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [silk] BPO call center in Afghanistan
>
> This popped up in my mailbox, clearly there is no end to BPO
> potential...and leibnizian optimisim.... maybe this was concieved by
> Candide himself ?! :
>
> Terms of Reference for Consultant to design a centralized call center
> model for Afghanistan
>
> [Similar to BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) Models in other
> countries]
>
> The telecom sector in Afghanistan is expanding new businesses are
> introduced to the country. Over 1.3 billion USD is attracted as FDI by
> the sector. The MCIT is the core organization responsible for the
> development of the sector in the country; in this regard the
> organization has launched a number of projects n order to strengthen
> the telecom infrastructure in the country. The national fiber optic
> ring is one of such projects which will connect the country with the
> TAE and SE-ME-WE cables. This will bring an opportunity for the BPO
> business in the country
>
> MCIT would like to contract a consultant to design a centralized call
> center model for Afghanistan, after carrying out studies on the
> comparable BPO models in other countries. The consultant will be
> engaged for 60 days between May 1 and july 31 2008
>
> Deliverables:
>
> The consultant has to conduct the survey and produce reports on the
> following:
> The availability of telecom infrastructure for the support of the BPO
> model in Afghanistan
> Requirement for specialized telecom infrastructure in the country
> The availability of supportive commercials law and regulations
> The availability of competent human resource to be employed
> The existing job opportunities in the country
> Requirement of proactive and positive policy environment which
> encourages BPO investments and simplifies rules and procedures
> Requirement of specialized skill sets for the employees of the BPO
> List the potentials business / sectors to have centralized call center
> (BPO center) in Afghanistan
> Carry out cost-benefit analysis of the BPO operations in Afghanistan
> Analyze turnaround times and the ability to offer 24x7 series based on
> the country's unique geographic location that allows for leveraging
> time zone differences
>
> Tasks / Methodology:
>
> The consultant should:
>
> Interact with MCIT and other stakeholders to understand the specific
> issues and challenges , and potentials benefits and costs for
> Afghanistan from the deployment of the BPO culture and business sector
> in the country
> Provide a clear analysis of the market developments that will
> influence the requirements for BPO in the country
> Perform a cross country survey and comparison of different options
> Recommend the best mechanism based on this survey and the comparison
> and considering the specific context of Afghanistan's technological,
> commercial and growth prospects
> Provide any further advice to enable MCIT efficiently introduce BPO in
> the country
> Interact and engage with the MCIT to ensure that the quality of the
> output at the end of the consultation period is very high
>
> Qualifications of the consultant
>
> a qualified candidate should have significant experience in the
> analysis of BPO regulations and market trends. The consultant should
> have experience in issues related to BPO deployments. Further, it is
> desirable that the consultant should be familiar with the assessing
> the implications of market and technical development
> working experience in either Afghanistan or south Asian or middle
> eastern n markets is desirable. Fluency in English is necessary, while
> knowledge of Pashto / dari is desirable
>
> Level of Effort
>
> The consultant is expected to be in Kabul for a period of two months
>
>
> Timetable
>
> The consultant will complete the assignment in two months from joining
> date , main milestones of the assistance are as under:
>
>
> Methodology / inception report (joining date + 10 days)
> Progress report 1 (joining date + 25 days)
> Progress report 2 (joining date + 45 days)
> Final report (joining date + 60 days)
