AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade Expert

Job Description

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade Expert
Sector: Trade and Development
Duration/Level of Effort :  December 8th 2025 -  March 31st 2026
Position Location : Remote, with focus on DRC, Mozambique, and Zambia 

 1. Background
The Facilitating Inclusive, Resilient, and Sustainable Trade (FIRST) Project—funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by Cowater International—supports the Governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique, and Zambia in strengthening the policy and institutional foundations for gender-responsive and inclusive trade. 

Africa’s digital transformation is reshaping how trade is conducted, opening new pathways for innovation, efficiency, and inclusion. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Digital Trade provides a historic opportunity to build a unified African digital marketplace—one that enhances connectivity, reduces trade costs, and expands participation in the digital economy. For Zambia, the DRC, and Mozambique, effective implementation of this Protocol is both a challenge and an opportunity. These countries are strategically positioned at the heart of regional trade corridors and can play a pivotal role in advancing cross-border digital trade integration. Yet, realising these gains requires targeted policy action, institutional readiness, and evidence-based strategies to guide national implementation. 

 Against this backdrop, the FIRST Project aims to generate policy-relevant knowledge and actionable insights to help national governments and regional stakeholders translate the AfCFTA’s digital trade commitments into practical measures. This work will contribute to building an inclusive digital trade ecosystem—one that empowers women, youth, and persons with disabilities, strengthens MSME competitiveness, and ensures that digitalisation serves as a driver of sustainable development in Southern and Central Africa.

2. Objective
The objective of this assignment is to produce a high-quality policy paper entitled Implementing the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade: A Primer for Policymakers in DRC, Mozambique, and Zambia. This Primer is intended to enhance policymakers’ understanding of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade and provide practical guidance for inclusive implementation in the three target countries.

3. Scope of Work
Under the direction of the FIRST Project Team Leader, the consultant will prepare a Primer on Implementing the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade: A Guide for Policymakers in the DRC, Mozambique, and Zambia. The Primer will:

• Explain and contextualize the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade, outlining its core provisions and implications for the DRC, Mozambique and Zambia.
• Identify key opportunities, policy priorities, and implementation challenges within each national and regional context, informed by target countries’ digital readiness and institutional capacities.
• Provide actionable recommendations for strengthening digital trade ecosystems, promote MSME participation, and advance gender, youth, and disability inclusion.

Serve as a practical reference to support capacity development under the FIRST Project.

4. Deliverables
The assignment is estimated to be for a total of 25 days. It consists of three deliverables to be conducted remotely between December 1st, 2025 and March 31st, 2026.
Deliverables are structured as follows: 

• Deliverable 1: Policy Primer titled Implementing the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade: A Guide for Policymakers in the DRC, Mozambique, and Zambia
• Deliverable 2:Policy Brief summarising key findings, opportunities, and recommendations from the Primer for dissemination to policymakers and other stakeholders.

Deliverable 3: Slide-deck and in-person presentation of findings in FIRST Knowledge Sharing Workshop in Maputo (March 2026).

5. Qualifications
The assignment requires a senior expert with extensive experience in digital trade and regional integration in Africa. Specifically:

• Demonstrated expertise in the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade, regional trade integration, and digital policy analysis.
• Deep understanding of digital trade ecosystems and regulatory environments in African countries.
• Proven ability to translate complex digital policy issues into clear, practical, and actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners.
• Strong analytical, research, and writing skills, with a track record of producing high-quality policy papers, briefs, and publications.
• Excellent communication skills, with proven ability to present data through clear charts, graphs, and infographics that enhance understanding and build a compelling narrative linking evidence to stakeholder priorities.
• Prior engagement with regional economic communities, trade ministries and AfCFTA processes is required.

Fluent in English. Portuguese and French fluency is an asset.

APPLICATION PROCESS
For your application to be considered, please send your CV, financial proposal and Cover letter to the Team Leader (nadira.bayat@first-trade.ca) and the Project Manager (patrick.peixe@cowater.com) by November 16th, 2025.  Please upload all your documents in one PDF.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

About the Organization

ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.