Trade Resource Centre UK Commercial Partnerships Adviser

Trade Resource Centre Business Model and Service Design Expert

Background

JET is supporting the UK–Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC) to establish and operate a Trade Resource Centre that will provide tailored trade-facilitation services to businesses seeking to access opportunities between Ghana and the UK. While a key focus is supporting Ghanaian firms to access the UK market, the Centre is intended to facilitate two-way trade and commercial linkages between both markets. As part of this work, JET also seeks to expand and activate UKGCC’s linkages with relevant UK private sector networks to generate practical trade and investment opportunities across both markets.

This intervention sits alongside the wider UK–Ghana Growth Partnership, which aims to position the UK as a credible partner of choice for inclusive economic growth in Ghana, drive UK investment in Ghana, increase trade in goods and services, and address specific constraints to trade and investment. This assignment also builds on previous and current collaborations between JET and the UKGCC, including the UK–Ghana Trade and Investment Missions for the Automotive and Textiles and Garments sectors, the 2025 UKGCC Business Environment and Competitiveness Survey (BECS), investor profiling and deal-book development, the 2026 UKGCC Trade and Investment Summit, and ongoing engagement with UK and Ghanaian private-sector networks.

The next phase will focus on expanding and activating UKGCC’s relationships with relevant UK business associations, sector networks, and other private sector actors to support sustained UK-Ghana commercial engagement.

Scope

JET seeks one or more Commercial Partnerships Advisers to identify, expand and activate private sector linkages between the UK and Ghana, working in close collaboration with UKGCC and drawing on the Advisers’ existing UK market knowledge, relationships, and networks.

The assignment will focus on building sustained relationships with relevant UK business associations, sector networks, business platforms, and commercial actors, and leveraging these networks to facilitate two-way UK-Ghana trade and investment opportunities. Particular emphasis will be placed on connecting export-ready Ghanaian suppliers with relevant UK buyers and market partners, and progressing viable leads towards commercial outcomes, such as purchase orders, where feasible.

The work draws on prior UKGCC–JET collaborations and will be delivered in close coordination with UKGCC and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), with relevant relationships, market intelligence, and commercial opportunities generated through the assignment feeding into the Trade Resource Centre and relevant partner channels.

Engagement type: Short-Term Technical Assistance (level-of-effort / days based)
No. of advisers: One or more (the scope may be filled by a single adviser, a firm with a team of experts, or a consortium)

Level of Effort: The total level of effort (LOE) for this assignment is limited to 20 days per sector, comprising 20 days for Agro-Processing and 20 days for Textiles and Garments. Whether the assignment is undertaken by a single advisor, a consulting firm, a team of experts, or a consortium covering both sectors, the proposed level of effort for each sector must not exceed 20 days. Accordingly, the maximum total LOE across the two sectors is 40 days.

Priority Sectors: The priority sectors for this assignment are the agro-processed goods (food, cosmetics etc. that have some value added and not in their raw forms) and textiles and garments.

Objectives

1. Expand and activate a targeted network of UK private-sector actors and networks (industry associations, business platforms, buyers, importers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and other commercial partners), relevant to UK–Ghana trade, in close coordination with UKGCC.

2. Establish and deepen sustained relationships between UKGCC and priority UK private sector networks that can support ongoing market intelligence, introductions, and commercial engagement.

3. Develop and progress a credible pipeline of high-potential commercial opportunities through targeted B2B matchmaking, buyer-seller introductions and follow-up, with relevant relationships and opportunities captured through the Trade Resource Centre.

4. Support UKGCC to strengthen its UK-facing market outreach and commercial pipeline management

Required tasks

UK network mapping and activation

1. Map and prioritise UK industry associations, business platforms, buyers, sellers and investors relevant to UK–Ghana trade and investment.

2. Conduct outreach to and build relationships with prioritised UK private-sector network partners, in coordination with UKGCC and GEPA.

3. Develop targeted engagement approaches for priority associations, sector networks and business platforms, identifying relevant entry points, relationship-building opportunities and practical ways for UKGCC to develop, cultivate, and sustain engagement with each network.

4. Identify and Map Key Buyers: Research, identify, and profile UK importers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers relevant to priority sectors and potential Ghanaian export opportunities.

5. Establish Direct Relationships: Initiate outreach to corporate purchasing managers and category buyers to establish a qualified database/network of active, interested private-sector buyers.

6. Assess Market Demand: Gather real-time intelligence on buyer requirements, including quality standards, pricing, volume needs, certification mandates, and packaging specifications, and inform UKGCC’s Ghanaian supplier targeting accordingly.

Pipeline Development

1. Identify and profile high-potential UK–Ghana trade opportunities in priority sectors.

2. Develop a pipeline of qualified commercial opportunities and prioritise opportunities for follow-up based on commercial interest, market fit and potential for progression in coordination with UKGCC and relevant partners (e.g., GEPA).

3. Conduct a UK buyer scan and generate qualified leads matched to Ghanaian suppliers and opportunities.

Facilitate B2B Matchmaking and Concrete Trade Opportunities

1. Support B2B Matchmaking: Support UKGCC to connect export-ready Ghanaian suppliers with UK buyers.

2. Sample and Trial Order Facilitation: Support the exchange of product samples, trial orders, and product testing between Ghanaian suppliers and potential UK buyers.

3. Commercial Opportunity Progression: Support UKGCC and Ghanaian firms to progress viable opportunities by facilitating follow-up on buyer requirements, commercial discussions and next steps as appropriate.

4. Commercial Opportunity Tracking: Track and hand over the list of commercial opportunities developed from the commercial pipeline.

Institutionalize Networks and Transfer of Knowledge

Support UKGCC to build on its existing capacity to engage UK private sector. Activities include:

1. Creating a Buyer Registry: Systematically document priority UK networks, institutional relationships, buyer contacts, preferences, and interaction history into an agreed format that can be maintained and used actively by the UKGCC through the Trade Resource Centre in the long-term.

2. UK-facing market-outreach: Developing a more proactive, UK-facing market-outreach approach — complementing its responsiveness to inbound enquiries with active, targeted identification and pursuit of commercial opportunities in the UK market.

3. Coaching: Provide targeted input or practical guidance on UK buyer requirements to the enhance UKGCC’s Export Academy programme delivery where relevant.

4. Knowledge Transfer and Handover: Provide structured handover of priority relationships, contacts, market intelligence and commercial opportunities, including recommendations for continued engagement and activation through the Resource Centre, to UKGCC.

Required Qualifications:

Essential criteria

1. Depth and seniority of experience: At least 8 years of demonstrated, relevant experience in international trade, commercial partnerships, business development and/or facilitating market linkages and deals, particularly across UK-Africa or other North-South markets.

2. Commercial Opportunity Development: Strong ability to identify and develop commercial opportunities, facilitate B2B linkages and introductions, and support viable opportunities to progress towards commercial outcomes.

3. UK private-sector networks (internationally oriented): A current network across UK industry associations, buyers, sellers and other commercial actors relevant to UK–Ghana (or UK–Africa) trade, with demonstrated ability to activate these relationships.

4. Network and Relationship Development: Demonstrated experience establishing and cultivating relationships with industry associations, business networks, and other private sector organisations, including ability to identify appropriate entry points and opportunities for sustained engagement.

5. Market Intelligence: Ability to gather and interpret relevant UK market and buyer intelligence, such as market demand and trends, buyer requirements, comparative advantages vis a vis other potential trade partners, routes to market, and other commercial considerations.

6. Availability: Average 2 – 3 days/week; ability to attend UK private sector/network and business meetings; occasional travel as needed.

Desirable

1. Sector experience: Demonstrated commercial knowledge, relationships and networks in one or more of the priority sectors.

2. Ghana/Africa experience: Existing or past relationships with internationally facing African private sector industry associations, business or trade support organisations; Ghana experience is a plus.

Deliverables

No Deliverable Description and Criteria for AcceptanceDelivery timeline 1 Inception report and work plan

1. Inception report and work plan – confirming approach, methodology, success measures and timeline

2. Accepted by UKGCC and JET Portfolio Lead, approved by JET Team Lead

TBC 2UK market-outreach approach

1. Detailed approach agreed with UKGCC for leading active, targeted outreach to UK market actors, building on its existing engagement and feeding the commercial pipeline

2. Accepted by UKGCC and JET Ecosystem Lead, approved by JET

TBC 3UK private-sector network and buyer map and engagement plan

1. Prioritised list of UK industry associations, sector networks, business platforms, buyers, and other commercial actors relevant to UK–Ghana trade with key contacts, engagement rationale, relationship entry point(s) and recommended approach; aligned to UKGCC and GEPA networks. At least 30 UK buyers identified/profiled.

2. Accepted by UKGCC and JET Ecosystem Lead, approved by JET Team Lead

TBC 4 Verified Buyer Database

1. A curated list and profiles of qualified UK buyers with validated sourcing needs.

2. Accepted by UKGCC and JET Ecosystem Lead, approved by JET Team Lead

TBC 5UK-Ghana Commercial Opportunity Pipeline and B2B Introductions Tracker

1. Pipeline of qualified commercial opportunities, including documented buyer-seller introductions / matchmaking (verified UK buyers matched to Ghanaian firms) with engagement status; feeds the UKGCC commercial pipeline tracker. Includes at least 10 Ghanaian firms connected to live opportunities.

2. Accepted by UKGCC and JET Ecosystem Lead, approved by JET Team Lead

TBC 6 Monthly progress reports

1. Progress reports submitted monthly (and presented in agreed JET Format), detailing engagements, relationships developed,and progress with activities, pipeline movement and risks

2. Accepted by UKGCC and JET Ecosystem Lead

TBC 7 Final report

1. Final report detailing results, UK networks and relationships established/activated, commercial opportunities generated and progressed, lessons learned and recommendations for sustaining UK–Ghana linkages. Hand over notes - consolidated record of priority UK networks, institutional relationships, engagement history, market intel, including actions for continued engagement through TRC.

2. Accepted by UKGCC and JET Ecosystem Lead, approved by JET Team Lead

TBC

Period of Delivery

The consultant is expected to deliver this assignment from September 2026 – January 2027

Monitoring

The Expert (s) will report to the JET Ecosystem Lead and coordinate with UKGCC and the JET team. The Consultant(s) shall submit monthly progress reports (status of activities, engagements, next steps) in the agreed JET format, participate in regular check-ins, and submit a final report on completion. Deliverables are subject to review and acceptance by UKGCC, the JET Ecosystem Lead and approval by JET Team Lead.

Application Instructions

If this assignment is of interest, please submit the following via the application portal or to benjamin.nimoh@thepalladiumgroup.com and ghanajet@thepalladiumgroup.com by September 15, 2026:

1. Curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages) evidencing relevant experience and total years of experience.

2. UK Network and Track-Record Statement (maximum 2 pages): Describe the applicant's relevant existing UK networks and relationships in the sector(s) proposed, including examples of specific associations, buyers, or other actors that the applicant would be well-positioned to engage and immediately activate. Provide at least three concrete examples of relevant commercial linkages, partnerships, or network relationships developed/facilitated, including sectors, dates, role played, and concrete outcomes.

3. Approach note (maximum 2 pages) detailing the applicant’s proposed approach to mapping, engaging, and activating priority UK networks; developing relationships and entry points for UKGCC; and generating and progressing commercial opportunities. The note should also include an indicative timeline against the required tasks and deliverables described in this TOR.

4. Proposed daily fee rate and Level of effort required.

5. Applications meeting the essential criteria are scored against the weighted criteria in Section

Evaluation Criteria

Criteria-descriptionWeight Evidence assessed Depth and relevance of existing UK private-sector networks and access in relevant sectors 25%Network and Track-Record Statement; CV Track record of developing and activating networks and facilitating commercial linkages, with demonstrated results 20% Network and Track-Record Statement; CV, referees Depth and seniority of relevant experience in international trade, commercial partnerships, business development, and/or market linkages 20% CV (years; confirms rate-card band) Quality and relevance of proposed approach, including understanding of the assignment and feasibility of the approach to network engagement, relationship development, and commercial opportunity generation/progression 25% Approach and Methodology Feasibility of proposed timeline and availability to complete the assignment 10% Approach Note Total 100%

Please note that Proposal reviews will be done on rolling basis.

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