SME Policy Expert

KEY INFORMATION Job Title: SME Policy Expert Sector: Small & Medium Enterprises Position Type: Part-Time Duration/Level of Effort: Short-Term Position Location: Zambia PROJECT SUMMARY The Facilitating Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Trade (FIRST) Project, funded by the Government of Canada and implemented by Cowater International, supports the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique, and Zambia to strengthen inclusive trade, enterprise competitiveness, and regional market integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of Zambia’s economy, contributing significantly to employment creation, household incomes, innovation and economic growth. MSMEs also play an important role in regional and cross-border trade, with women, youth and persons with disabilities representing a substantial proportion of entrepreneurs operating within the sector. Despite their contribution, MSMEs continue to face multiple barriers, including limited access to finance, business development services, markets, technology, infrastructure, formalisation opportunities and regulatory support. These constraints disproportionately affect enterprises owned or led by women, youth and persons with disabilities. Zambia is currently developing a modern policy and legislative framework to strengthen SME development, improve coordination of enterprise support services, promote formalisation and competitiveness, and create an enabling environment for innovation, productivity and participation in regional and continental markets. To support this process and ensure that the Bill responds to the needs of women, youth and persons with disabilities, the FIRST Project will engage a national consultant to gather evidence and develop evidence-based policy recommendations and technical guidance to inform the SME Bill and the mid-term review of the SME Policy. Objective of the Consultancy The objective of the consultancy