81304845-Expert Pool for the Support of Capacity Development in selected value chains to seize opportunities from EPA

The Multi-Donor Action "Lesotho Economic Growth, Job Creation and EPA Implementation Support Programme" seeks the services of contractor to support capacity development in selected value chains to cease opportunities from SADC EPA in Lesotho, with aim of improving Lesotho"s trade with SADC members and increasing Lesotho"s exports to Europe.

This tender seeks the services of a competent international firm to assist GIZ undertake to specific activities under two work packages by deploying experts under the expert pool arrangement. Guided by the overall objective of the project, which is to foster Lesotho"s inclusive economic development and sustainable regional and international trade, with a focus on two selected value chains in agro-processing and light industry, the contractor under this tender will support capacity building of public and private stakeholders in Lesotho on relevant EPA articles; raise awareness for CSOs and academia on EPAs and capacitate MSMEs in the two selected value chains to benefit from the opportunities offered by trade agreements with a focus on regional trade. The contractor, under work package 1, will support the development of customized Training of Trainers' (ToT) manuals, awareness raising materials, and facilitate advocacy trainings. This will be achieved through the deployment of experts by the contractor when requested by the assigned GIZ focal person. The envisaged output is increased capacity of public and private sectors, including drafts of regulatory proposals. Under work package 2, the contractor will support the development of training material to address skills gaps for MSMEs by deployment of experts. The contactor with also strengthen digital transformation of MSMEs in the two selected value chains. When requested, the contractor will support trade, investment and business processes with the aim of attracting private investment into the identified value chains and also providing technical assistance. The contractor when requested will deploy experts to upgrade the capability of MSMEs including development of digital solutions in the value chains to produce according to international good practices and certification requirements. The contractor shall provide two long-term experts; a team coordinator with international experience and one expert with national experience in Regulatory Reform Dimensions in relation to EPA and other agreements. The contractor will further provide a pool of 15 short term experts in various areas to support implementation of the two work-packages. The envisaged outcome of the programme is improved access to identified regional value chains. The project aims to achieve three outputs of 1) Increased capacity of the public and private sectors, including CSOs and Academia 2) Stakeholders in Lesotho and other selected SADC countries are capacitated to create an enabling environment for private sector development in selected regional value chains, and 3) Improved capacities of MSMEs to manage selected value chains within the framework of the EPA.