Job offer: National Intern for Asean Sme

GIZ is a federally owned enterprise and is supporting the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development.

The Strengthening Regional Structures for Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion in ASEAN “ASEAN-SME”, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is seeking a Full Time National Intern for 6 months (01st January 2025 – 30th June 2025). This position is based in Phnom Penh.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are important drivers for the economies of the ASEAN Member States, and their active role is emphasized in the Blueprint for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2025. However, in the implementation, challenges were found with respect to a lack of awareness and limited information among SMEs on how to access markets and utilize opportunities for expansion both within and outside of the region. Limited information about international requirements and standards for commercial products results in difficulties in linking up with value chains in regional and international trade. This results in delayed expansion and economic growth. For this reason, efforts must be made to increase access to relevant information and networks and improve capacity to address all these aforementioned challenges.

The objective of the ASEAN-SME project is “The effectiveness of promotion structures for cross-border business activities of small and medium-sized enterprises in ASEAN is improved.” In close cooperation with the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (ACCMSME), the project will support the implementation of the SAPSMED 2025 with a dual focus on improving the market access and internationalisation of SMEs, as well as enhancing the policy and regulatory environment. The regional project has defined the following output: (1) The regional cooperation model ASEAN Access is strengthened; (2) SMEs in ASEAN are prepared for internationalisation through the provision of national-level information, advice, and contact services; (3) The regional knowledge transfer/exchange of experience on future-oriented SME-relevant policy issues is strengthened.

In order to put the said objective and output into realization, the project and the implementing partner in Cambodia (Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, MISTI) have established the SME Taskforce to develop the National SME information website, KhmerSME, which will specifically provide various information and other support for progress and improvement in the quality of SMEs to participate in the country and regional trade arena. For ASEAN, ASEAN Access, with the tagline “Your Business Information Gateway to ASEAN and Beyond”, is an online portal serving as the first port of call for ASEAN SMEs and other businesses for information on trade and market access in ASEAN. ASEAN Access provides businesses interested in the ASEAN region with trade and market-related information, and access to support services necessary to penetrate new markets.

The national intern will work to support the ASEAN-SME II project and the Department of Small and Medium Enterprise of MISTI to collect and structure documents and information as well as research documents related to SME topics to be published on the KhmerSME website and for the project used.

Duties

• Work closely with superiors of the ASEAN-SME project and the SME Department of MISTI to identify the documents and information needed to upload to the KhmerSME website;
• Work closely with the project team of the ASEAN-SME project and the SME Department of MISTI to collect and research documents and information for uploading to the KhmerSME website;
• Assist the Team Leader of ASEAN Team Cambodia in project management;
• Participate in the training, and workshop and support the team with the logistic arrangement;
• Search for related documents and regulations both online and offline and compile them in a proper arrangement;
• Document the results of the meetings and report to superiors;
• Draft articles or briefs and text requested by working groups for uploading/posting on the KhmerSME and ASEAN Access websites, and social media platforms;
• Assist the interpretation in meetings and oral and written translation of documents as well as correspondence from Khmer-English-Khmer.

Requirements

• Undergraduate student (at least in the 3rd year) or fresh graduate in the field of Information Technology, Communication, International Relations, Business, Economics, or related fields;
• Good communication (both verbal and written) in English and Khmer;
• Good computer knowledge of Ms. Office, Internet, Email, and Ms. Access;
• Knowledge of digital tools and design, as well as the ability to explain them to others;
• Good communication and interpersonal skills;
• Willing to learn and attention to details;