TERMS OF REFERENCES FOR A CONSULTANCY TO CAPACITATE AND FACILITATE WOMEN AND YOUTH TO THE AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA (AfCFTA) MARKET ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (TWCC/PR/2024010)

1.0 Background
The Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC) stands as a pivotal organization, uniting various women and youth entrepreneurs across Tanzania. Established in December 2005, TWCC serves as an apex and umbrella entity, encompassing sectoral Business Women Associations, Companies, Cooperatives, Groups, and Sole proprietors. Currently boasting a membership exceeding 15,000 individuals, TWCC’s reach extends to over five hundred thousand women and youth from all sectors of the economy, spanning 26 Regional Chapters in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, along with 14 Women Sectoral Associations, and 11 Platforms catering to women in Cross Border Trade. TWCC’s primary objective lies in fostering unity among women entrepreneurs, including those in the informal sector, to promote business formalization and growth.

Through robust capacity-building initiatives and mentorship programs, TWCC endeavors to alleviate poverty among women by equipping them with the necessary skills and resources for success. Moreover, TWCC collaborates closely with both private and public sector entities to advocate for favorable policies conducive to the flourishing of women-owned enterprises.

With extensive experience collaborating with international organizations, government institutions, and various stakeholders, TWCC continues to expand its footprint beyond national borders. Notably, TWCC has played a pivotal role in assisting women from other countries in establishing their own Chambers, fostering cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC), with the support of Trademark Africa (TMA), is implementing a 3-year program aimed at empowering women and youth to excel in the regional and international market. One of the activities is to facilitate women’s access to regional markets under the AfCFTA trading arrangements. Therefore, TWCC has initiated a specific pilot program called “TWENDE SOKONI AFRIKA” to support women trading under various regional blocks including EAC, SADC, and AfCFTA, and beyond.

The Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is currently the world’s largest free trade area, comprising the 55 countries of the African Union (AU) and eight (8) Regional Economic Communities (RECs), with the aim of creating a single continental market with a population of about 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of approximately US$ 3.4 trillion. The World Bank estimates that the AfCFTA will increase Africa’s income by $450 billion by 2035 and boost intraAfrican exports by more than 81 percent.

The program aims to build the capacity of women and youth, providing them with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively navigate regional trade hurdles within these markets. This will enable them to compete for and win regional marketing opportunities, thereby expanding their businesses and contributing to economic growth. The program seeks to strengthen the women’s economy and create job opportunities for women and youth.

TWENDE SOKONI AFRICA is a specific initiative within this broader three-year program, focusing on strengthening women and youth enterprises to be competitive in local, regional, and international marketing, with the ultimate objective of increasing jobs, income, export volume, and values. Engaging in regional trade/cross-border trade is not without its challenges, including complex trade regulations, high costs of cross-border transactions, and lack of market information. To address these challenges, TWCC intends to engage consultancy services to build the capacity of women and youth to be competitive in local, regional, and international marketing.

1.1 Objectives of the assignment:
The primary objective of this assignment is to deliver a capacity building training and mentorship program tailored for Women and youth led- SMEs on the AfCFTA market (cross border trade). The training program should:
1. Strengthen the capacity of women and youths for AfCFTA Market: Increased awareness and understanding of cross border trade regulation and opportunities leading to an increase in the volume of trade activities participating women and youths.

2. To improve market access and participation of women and youth into African marke; AfCFTA market which has been described as history’s largest market as it connects1.3 billion people across 54 countries with a combined Growth Domestic product (GDP) valued at $3.4 trillion.
• Reduce information gap to women and youth engaging in cross border trade

1.2. Expected result for this Assignment
TWENDE SOKONI AFRICA initiative aims to achieve significant improvements in the AfCFTA participation of women and youth-led SMEs. This assignment is expected to achieve the following expected results;
1. 100% of training participants will demonstrate a strong understanding of the AfCFTA trade regulation and opportunities leading to an increase in the volume of trade activities between Tanzania and other African Countries

2. At least 65% of participants demonstrating their improved competitive edge iii. At least 40% of participants secured external market

2. Scope of work
The selected consultant is expected to carry out the assignment within the following scope of work;
1. Deliver intensive training program to 50 women and youth-led-SMEs on AfCFTA and its trading arrangements and opportunities including,
• The overall AfCFTA Agreement
• Market potentials of the AfCFTA
• The market entry requirements
• Trade Facilitation tools available under the AfCFTA
2. Asist participants to understand cross border business and other means of product distribution including franchising
• Provide mentorship and coaching to program participants to become competitive in regional and international market
1. Quality improvement training to women and youth led SMEs to meet the required standard for AfCFTA market and beyond
2. Assist participants to register and comply with standards requirements such TBS, ISO, GMP, HACCP, Organic certifications and Environmental compliance etc.
3. Conduct pre- and post-training assessments to measure participants’ knowledge and skills gains.
• Analyze program applications, select and profile 50 potential SMEs beneficiaries before commencement of the program
• Asist participants to improve on branding, packaging and supply chain management.
1. Work with participants to develop bankable business plans
2. Train participants on the use of E-commerce and digital trading \platform to access regional and international markets

3. Ensure participants have improved on financial management skills
• Submit a final report summarizing the training program’s implementation, results, and recommendations for future improvement.

3.0 Deliverables
The consultancy will be expected to deliver, at the minimum, the following outputs:
1. A list of 50 women and youth SMEs selected and profiled
2. Developed training manuals, presentations, handouts, and any other relevant resources developed for the program.
• Specific training reports as per the scope of work
1. Documentation of training sessions, including attendance records, participant feedback, and evaluations.
2. Monthly mentorship and coaching progress report
3. Submit a final report summarizing the training program’s implementation, results, and recommendations for future improvement
• Online training sessions developed and accessed by participants

PROPOSED PROGRAM LIFE CYCLE
4.0 Minimum qualifications;
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:
1. Post graduate degree or Bachelor degree on Economics, international business, international trade or related field.
2. Experience working with SMEs in Tanzania is a plus.
3. In-depth understanding of the regional integration agenda, AfCFTA agreement, including its objectives, scope, service and trade related protocols, benefits and other procedures for market access.
4. Familiarity with international trade regulations relevant to Tanzania and the target regional markets and international markets.
5. Experience in analyzing trade opportunities and challenges faced by SMEs in the export market
6. Awareness on the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and youth in Trade.
7. Proven experience in designing and delivering engaging and interactive training programs for adult learners.
8. Ability to tailor training content to the specific needs and challenges faced by these businesses.
5.0 Evaluation Criteria
1. Demonstrated In-depth understanding of the AfCFTA agreement, including its objectives, scope, service and trade related protocols, benefits and other procedures for market access.
2. Familiarity with international trade regulations relevant to Tanzania and the target regional markets and international markets.
3. Experience in analyzing trade opportunities and challenges faced by SMEs in the AfCFTA market.
4. Proven experience in designing and delivering engaging and interactive training programs for adult learners.
5. Ability to tailor training content to the specific needs and challenges faced by these businesses.
6. Clarity and feasibility of the proposed methodology and approach.
7. Alignment with the objectives and scope of work outlined in this TOR.
8. Cost-effectiveness and value for money.
9. Capacity to deliver within the specified timeline.
10. Capacity to achieve expected results.
11. meeting relevant experience.
Outline of the Technical Proposal

The Technical proposal should include the following sections:
1. Understanding of the TORs
2. Critical issues for the assignment
3. Detailed methodology of the assignment
4. Detailed timeframe and work plan and Budget
5. CV of the Consultant detailing experience on Leadership and the team that will be involved in specific topics including Directors from other successful institutions to share experience and inspire the new TWCC Board team.

References.
The financial proposal must be submitted in TZS with detailed breakdown of all activities being budgeted for, showing unit, unit cost and duration.

6.0 Application method
All proposals should be submitted to procurement@twcc-tz.org with the heading; TWCC/PR/2024010 – Consultancy to Capacitate and Facilitate Women and Youth on African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Market Entry Requirements, by 30th July 2024. All proposals should be addressed to;

Executive Director
Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC)
Ground floor, Oasis Office Park
Haile Selassie Road -Masaki
P.O.BOX 5591,
Dar Es Salaam.

TWCC is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.