Expert to develop AfCFTA Toolkits for Women and Youth-led MSMES

KEY INFORMATION 
Job Title: Expert to develop AfCFTA Toolkits for Women and Youth-led MSMES in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique and Zambia 
Sector: Trade and Development
Duration/Level of Effort :  Short Term (31 November 2025-2 March 2026)
Position Location : Remote, with focus on DRC, Mozambique, and Zambia
 

 1. Background

The Facilitating Inclusive, Resilient, and Sustainable Trade (FIRST) Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by Cowater International, operates in Zambia, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to promote gender-responsive, inclusive, and sustainable trade, including under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
 
Across Africa, women and youth play a vital role in trade yet remain underrepresented in formal markets due to barriers such as limited access to finance, skills, certification, and market information. Recognizing these challenges, the FIRST project is partnering with Micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) development agencies in the three target counties to develop MSME Toolkits. These toolkits will serve as practical, user-friendly guides that empower women-and youth-led enterprises to strengthen competitiveness, integrate into regional value chains, and benefit from emerging trade opportunities, including in the context of the AfCFTA.
 

2. Objective

The purpose of this assignment is to generate country-specific evidence on women and youth in regional value chains and cross-border trade, and to develop practical toolkits for MSMEs with a particular focus on identifying:
 

• The current situation and roles of women and youth in priority sectors;
• Inequalities in value chains that confine women and youth to low-value segments;
• Opportunities to expand women's and youth's participation in high-value sectors and export markets under the AfCFTA;
• Gaps in financial access, investment readiness, and skills development that impact competitiveness; and
• How AfCFTA tariff offers and sectoral liberalization align with women- and youth-dominated industries.

 
The consultant will draw primarily on existing data, reports, and studies, complemented by virtual consultations with key stakeholders to validate findings and ensure contextual accuracy. The consultant will work closely with national SME development agencies in the DRC, Mozambique, and Zambia to align the Toolkit with country priorities and ongoing institutional initiatives.
 

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:  
 
1)     Assess Value Chain Participation

• Map women and youth participation in key value chains across priority sectors (agriculture, manufacturing, services).
• Identify points of concentration and barriers to upgrading into higher-value segments.
• Recommend practical actions to support value addition and competitiveness.

2)     Assess Inequalities

• Examine structural gaps (finance, digital skills, certification, market access) limiting inclusion.
• Recommend targeted policy and institutional measures to address identified gaps.

3)     Identify Sectoral Opportunities

• Identify sectors with strong AfCFTA growth potential for women and youth.
• Propose measures to integrate their women and youth-led enterprises into higher-value regional and global value chains.

4)     Review AfCFTA Tariff Offers

• Review 90% tariff offers of AfCFTA State Parties to evaluate openness of women- and youth-dominated sectors compared to others.
• Provide implications of these tariff offers for inclusive participation.

5)     Practical Application

• Translate findings into MSME AfCFTA Toolkits for Zambia, Mozambique, and DRC.

 

4. Deliverables

The consultant will produce a country-specific AfCFTA Toolkit for MSMEs (one per country-Zambia, Mozambique, DRC), designed as a practical, user-friendly guide for MSMEs leverage new trade, business and economic opportunities created through the AfCFTA.
 

5. Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in Economics, International Trade, Development Studies, Gender Studies, or a closely related discipline.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in MSME development, value chain analysis, and gender- and youth-responsive trade policy.
• Demonstrated understanding of the AfCFTA Agreement, its Protocols, and operational instruments, with ability to translate policy provisions into actionable guidance for MSMEs.
• Proven track record in applied research and production of user-friendly tools, guides, or training materials for MSME capacity development.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills, with fluency in English.
•  Fluency in French and Portuguese is an asset.
• Prior publications or authored reports on MSME development, inclusive trade, or gender and youth participation in trade will be considered an asset.

 
APPLICATION PROCESS  
Candidates are encouraged to apply by Tuesday, November 04, 2025.  For your application to be considered, please send in one PDF a: 

• CV
• Cover Letter
• Brief Methodology (maximum two pages) describing how you will deliver the assignment
• Financial Proposal

 
For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.
 
Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.
 
This assignment is open to national consultants in Zambia, Mozambique and DRC. 
 
ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies since 2017.
 
We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.