SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC) SECRETARIAT
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI)
(CONSULTING SERVICES- INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)
CONSULTANCY SERVICE ON SENSITISATION, ADVOCACY, CAPACITY BUILDING, AND SUPPORT TO IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SADC SIMPLIFIED TRADE REGIME (STR)
SADC/3/5/2/386
PROJECT NAME: THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC) TRADE AND TRANSIT FACILITATION PROJECT
FINANCING AGREEMENT REFERENCE: 2100155042616
PROJECT ID NO.: P-Z1-K00-127
DATE: 29 July 2025
1. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat has received financing from the African Development Fund (ADF) towards implementation of the THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC) TRADE AND TRANSIT FACILITATION PROJECT and intends to apply part of the agreed amount of this grant to payments under the contract for CONSULTANCY SERVICES ON SENSITISATION, ADVOCACY, CAPACITY BUILDING, AND SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SADC SIMPLIFIED TRADE REGIME (STR).
2. The objective of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade and Transit Facilitation Project (SADC-TTFP) is to facilitate the movement of goods and people along the North-South Corridor and at key border posts, whilst supporting the development of railway infrastructure in the region. The specific objective is to enhance trade and transport facilitation especially on major corridors and strengthening enforcement capacity of customs and other border agencies in SADC. It will also support gender sensitive infrastructure development as an enabler for the SADC industrialization agenda, and the development of an efficient regional railway system through the development of the regional railway master plan. The project also seeks to enhance participation of women in cross border trade, transport and logistics services through adoption and implementation of the SADC Simplified Trade Regime (STR).
3. The specific objectives of this consultancy assignment are to;
(i) Support implementation of STR concept in the SADC Region Member States;
(ii) Support establishment of gender-responsive Trade Information and Border Desks service that provide timely information including information on documents, licensing, permits, certificates, applicable fees and processing times to youth and women traders;
(iii) Training of Cross Border Traders Associations (CBTAs), and women traders on their rights, customs processes and preferential trade agreements. to provide tailored, gender sensitive, and appropriate trade facilitation services, especially to youth and women involved in cross-border trade.
(iv) Undertake sensitization and awareness of youth and women in the selected Member States on the SADC Simplified Trade Regime Framework; and
(v) Establish Linkages with existing Joint Border Committees at the selected border posts in Member States.
(vi)Training for customs officers and other border management regulation officers.
The assignment is expected to be implemented within 6 months.
4. The SADC Secretariat now invites eligible individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (i.e., Profile and CVs detailing alignment to the assignment, description of similar assignments undertaken, experience in similar conditions and availability of appropriate skills). The main competencies required from the individual consultant are:
(i) Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Customs Administration, International Trade, Economics, Law, Business Administration, or related areas with at least 10 years of professional experience in customs operations. A first-level university degree in combination with at least 15 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
(ii) Demonstrated knowledge of cross-border trading environment and gender issues
(iii) Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and professional skills in interacting with government and development partners
(iv) Knowledge of mainstreaming gender and youth into trade policies or programmes
(v) Skills in facilitation of stakeholder engagements/ workshops
(vi) Excellent presentation skills (Proven experience as trainer and facilitator of the trainings);
(vii) Proven knowledge of the SADC Region is an added advantage
(viii) Proficient in the English Language.
5. Establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s Procurement Policy for the Bank Group-funded Operations”, dated October 2015, which is available on the Bank’s website at https://www.afdb.org/en/projects-and-operations/procurement/new-procurement-policy. A Consultant will be selected under the Individual Consultant Selection method.
6. Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours 08h00hours to 16h30hours (Botswana Time).
7. Expressions of interest must be submitted electronically in PDF format and dully signed via this LINK: https://collab.sadc.int/s/fsqkGjepEWXnrxG by midnight Botswana time on 14 August 2025 and should mention the name of the consultancy assignment. “CONSULTANCY SERVICES ON SENSITISATION, ADVOCACY, CAPACITY BUILDING, AND SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SADC SIMPLIFIED TRADE REGIME (STR). ”
Interested consultants are encouraged to submit their Expressions of Interest during working hours for support in case there are any technical problems. Expressions of Interest must be submitted as a single file or one zipped folder bearing the name of the applicant.
8. Below is the address for obtaining further information:
Attention: Mr Luckson Mangena
SADC Secretariat
Private Bag 0095, Gaborone, Botswana, Tel: +267 395 1863
Email : lmangena@sadc.int Copy : pshayanowako@sadc.int ; amonteiro@sadc.int
