COMESA FEDERATION OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS OF WOMEN IN BUSINESS(COMFWB)
Request for Technical and Financial Proposals to Develop Training
Modules on STR and Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) Reporting mechanisms and
Deliver Capacity-Building Training for Women and Youth cross border traders
in Agri-food sector in the COMESA region.
REF: COMFWB/CS/AGRA/TM/APR/28/2026
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
SELECTION OF INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS
REF- NUMBER- COMFWB/CS/AGRA/TM/APR/28/2026
DATE: April 28, 2026
Services Title: Short term consultancy to Develop Training Modules on STR and
Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs)Reporting Mechanisms and Deliver Capacity-Building Training for Women and Youth
across border traders In Agri-Food Sector in The COMESA Region.
1) INVITATION
The COMFWB Secretariat is inviting individuals, organizations, or firm Consultants (individual or consortium) to submit their CV and Financial
Proposal for the following services:
Short Term Consultancy to Develop Training Modules on STR and Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs)Reporting Mechanisms and Deliver Capacity-Building Training for Women and Youth cross border traders In Agri-Food Sector in The COMESA Region.
The Terms of Reference defining the minimum technical requirements for these services are attached as Annex 1 to this Request for Expression of Interest.
2) ELIGIBILITY
Individual, organizational, or firm Consultants (individual or consortium) are eligible for this assignment.
3) BUDGET
The maximum budget for this contract is US$5,000.00 for expert service/
consultants’ fees only for preparation of the modules and delivering training.
Proposals exceeding this budget will not be accepted.
4) SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Your Expression of Interest must be presented as per Expression of Interest Forms attached as Annex 2 to this
Request for Expression of Interest, in the English language and be accompanied by copies of all the indicated supporting documents.
Your application documents clearly marked and email bearing the subject:
“Short Term Consultamcy To Develop Training Modules on STR and Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs)Reporting mechanisms and Deliver Capacity-Building Training for Women and Youth cross border traders in Agri-food sector in the COMESA region.
Emails should be emailed to the following addresses:
jmasanche@comesa.int
Copy: comfwb@comesa.int
5) DEADLINE
The deadline for submission of your application, to the address indicated above, is: 12th May 2026, at 16:00hours Malawi time
6) SUBMISSION
Physical submission of applications is not allowed.
7) CARICCULUM VITEA
Your CV will be evaluated against the criteria as indicated in the attached document.
8) SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Your proposal should be submitted as per the following instructions:
i. Prices:
The financial proposal shall be inclusive of all expenses deemed necessary by the Individual Consultant for the performance of the contract.
ii. Evaluation and award of the contract:
Expressions of Interest determined to be formally compliant to the requirements will be further evaluated technically.
An Expression of Interest is considered compliant to the requirements if:
• The financial proposal does not exceed the maximum available budget for the contract.
• The award will be made to the applicant who obtains the highest technical score. Expressions of Interest not obtaining a minimum
score of 70% will be rejected.
iii. Validity of the expression of interest:
Your Expression of Interest should be valid for a period of 90 days from the date of deadline for submission indicated in Paragraph 4 above.
9) CONTRACT COMMENCEMENT
The assignment is expected to commence within two (2) weeks from the signature of the contract.
10) REQUESTS AND CLARIFICATIONS
Additional requests for information and clarifications can be made until 7 working days prior to deadline indicated in the paragraph 6 above, from:
The Procuring entity: COMFWB Secretariat
Contact person: Head of Procurement
E-mail: jmasanche@comesa.int with a copy to comfwb@comesa.int
ANNEXES:
ANNEX 1: Terms of Reference
ANNEX 2: Expression of Interest Forms
ANNEX 1: TERMS OF REFERENCE
COMMON MARKET FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA (COMESA) FEDERATION OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN IN BUSINESS (COMFWB)
Short Term Consultancy TO Develop Training Modules on STR and NonTariff Barriers (NTBs)Reporting mechanisms and Deliver Capacity-Building Training for Women and Youth cross border traders in Agri-food sector in the COMESA region.
1. BACKGROUND
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is a Regional Economic Community committed to promoting regional integration through trade development and facilitation.
The COMESA Federation of National Associations of Women in Business (COMFWB), a specialized institution of COMESA, supports women and youth entrepreneurs engaged in cross-border trade across the region.
In partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), COMFWB is implementing the project titled:
“Promoting Access to Markets for Women and Youth by Addressing Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) to Boost Intra-COMESA Agri-Food Trade.”
Despite progress in trade facilitation, women and youth traders continue to face significant Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), including:
• Complex and inconsistent customs procedures
• Limited access to trade information
• High compliance costs and informal charges
• Weak coordination at border posts
• Challenges related to SPS requirements
These barriers are particularly prevalent at key border posts linking Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.
To address these challenges, COMFWB seeks to engage a consultant to:
1) Develop a comprehensive, practical training module on STR and NTBs reporting mechanisms; and
2) Deliver targeted, participatory capacity-building training for women and youth cross border traders in agri-food sector.
2. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY
The overall objective is to strengthen institutional and grassroots capacity by:
• Developing a comprehensive and user-friendly training module on STR and NTBs and
• Building the capacity of women and youth cross-border traders to effectively engage in regional trade.
Specifically, the consultancy will enhance knowledge and skills in:
• Trade facilitation processes
• Trade policy and regional frameworks
• Identification, reporting, and resolution of NTBs
• Use of electronic/SMS NTBs reporting systems
• Advocacy and stakeholder engagement
3. SCOPE OF WORK
3.1 Development of Training Module on STR and NTBs reporting mechanisms
The consultant will design a comprehensive, practical, and gender-responsive Training Module tailored for:
• Women and youth cross-border traders
• COMFWB Secretariat and national chapters
The module should incorporate adult learning approaches, including:
• Step-by-step guides
• Case studies and real-life examples
• Simulation exercises
• Practical tools and templates
Core Content Areas The module will include:
1. Trade Facilitation Tools
o Simplified Trade Regime (STR)
o Documentation and requirements
o Practical challenges and solutions
2. Trade Facilitation Systems
o COMESA and Tripartite frameworks
o Border clearance procedures
o Roles of border agencies
3. Trade Policy and Regional Frameworks
o COMESA instruments
o Tripartite Free Trade Area
o African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
4. Core Concepts on NTBs
o Definitions, types, and classification
o Practical examples from border posts
o Impact on women and youth traders
5. NTB Identification and Reporting
o Identification and documentation
o Reporting procedures and templates Escalation and follow-up
6. Electronic NTBs Monitoring System
o Online/SMS reporting
o Case tracking and resolution
o Use of data for advocacy
7. Trade Information Desk Officers (TIDOs)
o Roles and services
o Linkages with traders
8. Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement
o Public–Private Dialogue (PPD)
o Negotiation and communication skills
9. Gender and Social Inclusion
o Barriers affecting women and youth
o Inclusive trade practices Safety and dignity at borders
10. Case Studies and Simulations
o Border scenarios
o Role plays and exercises
11. Trade Compliance Support
o Documentation and procedures
o Cost-reduction strategies
3.2 Training Delivery
The consultant will deliver practical, participatory training sessions (2 days per site) at the following border posts:
• Mchinji (Malawi–Zambia)
• Dedza (Malawi–Mozambique)
• Mwanza (Malawi–Mozambique)
• Chirundu (Zambia–Zimbabwe)
• Victoria Falls (Zambia–Zimbabwe)
Training Approach • Interactive presentations • Group discussions and peer learning • Role plays and simulations • Hands-on NTB reporting exercises • Real-life case documentation 4. 5. TARGET BENEFICIARIES • Youth cross-border traders • Young women traders • Informal and formal traders • COMFWB National chapters • COMFWB Staff DELIVERABLES 5.1 Inception Report • Methodology • Workplan and training schedule • Module outline 8 5.2 STR and NTBs Training Module Package • Facilitator guide • Participant manual • Training presentations 5.3 Training Materials • Toolkits and templates • Case studies and simulations • Job aids 5.4 Validation Workshop Report The report should include: • Workshop objectives and participant summary • Key feedback on the training module • Main issues, gaps, and recommendations • Agreed actions for finalization • Annexes (agenda, participant list, supporting materials) 5.5 Training Delivery • 2-day training at each border post • Attendance records and engagement reports 5.6 Practical Outputs • Documented NTB case studies • Simulated NTB reports • Participant stakeholder engagement plans 5.7 Final Training Package • Print-ready and editable formats 5.8 Final Consultancy Report • Summary of activities • Key findings and challenges • Lessons learned • Recommendations • Disaggregated participant data 6. DURATION Total Duration: 3 Months • Phase 1: Inception and module development • Phase 2: Validation and finalization • Phase 3: Training delivery (5 border posts) • Phase 4: Reporting 9 7. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Qualifications • Advanced degree in Trade, Economics, Development Studies, Gender, or related field Experience • At least 10 years’ experience in: o o o o Trade facilitation Trade policy Regional integration Capacity building • Proven experience in: o o o o • Knowledge o o o 8. NTBs training and module development Working with COMESA/EAC/SADC frameworks Cross-border trade programmes Training women and youth COMESA Instruments STRs and NTBs systems AfCFTA SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES • Strong facilitation and training skills • Ability to simplify complex concepts • Strong analytical and report writing skills • Stakeholder engagement skills • Gender and cultural sensitivity 9. 10. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS • Fluency in English • Knowledge of local languages is an added advantage REPORTING AND SUPERVISION The consultant will report to the COMFWB Secretariat and work closely with: • COMFWB National Chapters • Border authorities and stakeholders • All deliverables will be subject to approval by the Secretariat. 11. APPLICATION PROCESS Interested candidates should submit: • CV 10 • Technical Proposal • Financial Proposal To: 12. jmasanche@comesa.int Copy: comfwb@comesa.int DEADLINE May 12th, 2026 – 16:00 hrs (Malawi time) ANNEX 2: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORMS A. B. COVER LETTER FOR THE EXPESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE PROJECT10 CURRICULUM VITAE ........................................................................................... 13 11 A. COVER LETTER FOR THE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST REQUEST FOR SERVICES TITLE: Short Term Consultancy TO Develop Training Modules on STR and Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs)Reporting mechanisms and Deliver Capacity-Building Training for Women and Youth cross border traders in Agri-food sector in the COMESA region. Country, Date To: COMFWB Secretariat Dear Sirs: I, ______________________________the undersigned, offer to provide the consulting services for the Short-Term Consultancy to Develop Training Modules on STR and Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs)Reporting mechanisms and Deliver Capacity-Building Training for Women and Youth cross border traders in Agri-food sector in the COMESA region. in accordance with your Request for Expression of Interests REF NO COMFWB/CS/AGRA/TM/APR/28/2026 dated April 28, 2026. I hereby declare that all the information and statements made in my CV are true and accept that any misinterpretation contained in it may lead to my disqualification. My proposal is binding upon me for the period indicated in Paragraph 8(iii) of this Request for Expression of Interest. I undertake, if my Proposal is accepted, to initiate the consulting services related to the assignment not later than the date indicated in Paragraph 9 of the Request for Expression of Interest, and to be available for the entire duration of the contract as specified in the Terms of Reference. I understand you are not bound to accept any Proposal you receive. Yours sincerely, Signature [In full and initials]: Name and Title of Signatory: Page 12 of 16 Page 13 of 16 B. CURRICULUM VITAE 1. Family name: 2. First names: 3. Date of birth: 4. Nationality: 5. Physical address: 6. Postal address 7. Phone: 8. E-mail: 9. Education:
