DAI is recruiting a Consulting Services for the Strengthen of District Traders’ Associations (DTAs) Under the PROMAS Project, to be based in Nampula, Niassa and Cabo Delgado, Mozambique.
Description
- The Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Market Systems (PROMAS) project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), is implemented in the provinces of Nampula, Niassa, and Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique by DAI Global UK (DAI). PROMAS project goal is increasing income and employment opportunities for female and male smallholder farmers (SHFs), youth, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), through their engagement in resilient market systems
- To facilitate systemic change to drive increased income and employment opportunities for smallholder farmers (SHFs), women, men, and youth, a conducive enabling environment is required. Government policies, programs, resource allocation, provision of essential services, and infrastructure development should work to promote SHF production and the marketing of crops. While a project like PROMAS cannot significantly influence large-scale infrastructure development or fiscal resource allocation, it can support the government in delivering better services and programs. This can be achieved by sharing evidence from practice to influence approaches, supporting government agencies in testing and implementing new strategies, and facilitating multilateral representative bodies to promote dialogue for an improved policy environment
- Background to the assignment: PROMAS supported the roll out of the crop trading regulation introduced through decree 94/2018, which introduced a trading recording booklet, the Caderneta de Comercialização (CdC). The DPIC spearheaded the roll out of the CdC through the districts. The adaptation by the districts has varied with some changes in different districts. The traders faced challenges in getting the provisions of the CdC implemented, and many other trade challenges among themselves and other stakeholders
- In the last 3 months, PROMAS facilitated dialogue sessions between traders, SDAEs, DPICs, transit police, post and local authorities to reflect on various challenges bedeviling the trade environment. It was clear that formation and/or strengthening of DTAs will go a long way in addressing some of the challenges. In addition to advocating for improved environment, DTAs will also collectively solve problems, explore economies of scale, learn from each other, etc.
- PROMAS wishes to actively engage in capacity building to and facilitate dialogue among actors in the output marketing sector and promoting self-regulation through District Traders’ Associations (DTAs). DTAs serve as platforms for traders to engage with each other, advocate for their collective interests, and improve the overall efficiency of agricultural marketing at the district level
- PROMAS wishes to support the promotion of an enabling environment through strengthening the capacity of DTAs to effectively represent their members, advocate for their interests, and enhance their participation in agricultural market systems. By supporting the formation or strengthening of DTAs, PROMAS aims to facilitate self-regulation, improve market access, and promote sustainable trade practices across the 10 districts within its operational areas
- The project seeks to engage a consultant with relevant experience to provide technical support in strengthening DTAs, ensuring they are well-structured, functional, and capable of driving collective action among traders. The consultant will work closely with PROMAS staff, local stakeholders, and traders to achieve these objectives
Objective
- The primary objective of this consultancy is to support the formation and/or institutional strengthening of DTAs in the PROMAS target districts. The consultant will provide technical assistance through formation, including formalization, capacity building in areas such as dialogue, advocacy, negotiations, joint action initiatives, and strategic direction to ensure that these associations function effectively and contribute to the overall improvement of agricultural marketing systems
Duties
- The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Conduct a rapid assessment of existing trader networks and associations in the target districts (identify their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities and threats to their members’ and the associations’ operations)
- Carry out stakeholder mapping by identifying those who do business with service and regulate the business and operations of the DTAs and their members (other traders, local authorities, provincial and national government and other market actors)
- Facilitate the establishment of DTAs where they do not exist, including defining membership structures, governance frameworks, and operational guidelines
- Develop and deliver capacity-building for DTAs on topics such as governance, financial management, advocacy, negotiations, collectivism and market linkages
- Support DTAs in developing strategic plans, business models, and sustainability mechanisms
- Support DTAs in advocating for policies and practices that improve the trading environment at the district level
- Facilitate dialogue between DTAs, government agencies, the big end buyers, and other relevant stakeholders to enhance collaboration and policy engagement
- One public-private dialogue conducted in each district to identify issues and solutions with clear actionable commitments
- Develop and implement a monitoring framework to track the performance and impact of DTAs
- Submit regular progress reports to PROMAS
Expected Results
- By the end of the consultancy, the following outcomes will be achieved:
- 10 DTAs (one per district) strengthened and operational with clear governance structures, inclusive membership, and strategic plans
- New DTAs formed in districts where none existed
- At least 30% of DTAs demonstrate functional financial management system
- 100 traders (40% women, 30% youth) trained in governance, advocacy, and market linkages
- 30% of DTAs members established formal partnerships with financial institutions and output buyers
- 1 public-private dialogues conducted in each district, resulting in actionable commitments
- All DTAs adopt revenue-generation strategies (e.g., member subscriptions, fee-based services)
- 30% of DTA leadership positions held by women; and 20% by youth
Deliverables
- The consultant will be expected to deliver the following:
- After carrying out a rapid assessment of the trade associations, produce an inception report outlining the methodology, work plan and budget
- Training materials and capacity-building session reports
- Governance and operational frameworks for newly established DTAs (constitutions, bylaws, etc.)
- Strategic and sustainability plans for DTAs
- Progress reports (monthly)
- A final report summarizing on the main activities delivered, the results achieved, lessons learned, challenges, and recommendations for future
Activities Timeline
- The consultancy is expected to last for a period the period from April to September 2025, with fieldwork conducted in the 10 target districts across the three provinces where PROMAS operates. The consultant will be required to travel frequently to these districts to engage with stakeholders and support DTAs on the ground, with the following tentative timeline:
- No Activity
- Inception meeting, documents review and tentative work plan
- Field mission 1: Assessment of DTAs or members in the absence of a DTA, stakeholder mapping and baseline data collection
- Production of a firm plan, development of training materials
- Field Mission 2: Development or upgrading of governance structure, constitution / bye laws, objectives (areas of focus)
- Field Mission 3: Conduct capacity building workshops (advocacy, financial management, negotiation skills)
- Field Mission 4: Facilitation of dialogues and advocacy
- Submit final report and handover
- Total weeks
Requisites
- The ideal consultant should have the following qualifications and experience:
- A degree in Business Administration, Economics, Agribusiness, Rural Development, or a related field
- At least 5 years of experience in private sector development, agricultural market systems, or trade facilitation
- Proven experience in working with business associations, cooperatives, or trade networks
- Strong facilitation, training, and stakeholder engagement skills
- Knowledge of the agricultural marketing landscape in Mozambique
- Expertise in gender mainstreaming and youth inclusion strategies
- Ability to work independently and produce high-quality deliverables within agreed timelines
- Fluency in Portuguese and English (both written and spoken)
Notes
- Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
- Indicate the source of this job post: emprego.co.mz
- All proposals must be submitted by 17:00 hours on the 16th of May
- PROMAS and DAI Global UK encourage applications from qualified candidates, regardless of gender or background
How to Apply
1. Documentation
- Interested candidates should submit their applications, including:
- A technical proposal detailing their approach to the assignment
- A financial proposal outlining the consultancy fees and any with breakdown of cost
- An updated CV highlighting relevant experience
- At least two references from previous assignments of a similar nature
2. Application
- Send your Documentation to dai.promas@gmail.com with the Subject line “Consulting Services for The Strengthen of District Traders’ Associations (DTAs) Under the PROMAS Project”