TERMS OF REFERENCE

Services/Job description: Capacity building and awareness raising activities for promotion of cross-border
trade along the Tajik-Afghan border

Name of the project/program: UNDP Projects “Promoting Effective Border Management Applying a
Human Security Approach for Households of Border Areas with Afghanistan” (BMP III) and “Livelihood
Promotion in Tajik-Afghan Cross-border Areas” (LITACA III)

Target areas: Shamsiddin Shohin district (Khatlon province), Darvoz, Vanj, Ishkoshim districts and Khorog
city (Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast)

Duration: November 2024 – April 2025 (6 months)

1. Background

UNDP's ultimate goal in the country is to improve the living standards of its people, particularly the poorest and
most vulnerable, and ensure a future that offers equality, dignity, and opportunity for all. Promoting cross-border
trade is considered one of the efficient tools to contribute to local economic development with wide social
impact. Within two flagship projects, UNDP promotes value chains in the Khatlon region: “The Project for
Promoting Effective Border Management Applying a Human Security Approach for Communities of Border
Area with Afghanistan” (BMP) project and “Livelihood Promotion in Tajik-Afghan Cross-Border Areas”
(LITACA) project.

BMP Project Summary

In January 2023 UNDP in Tajikistan has launched the “The Project for Promoting Effective Border Management
Applying a Human Security Approach for Communities of Border Area with Afghanistan” to support the
Government of Tajikistan to maintain an ‘open but secure’ approach to the Tajik-Afghan border that defends
and extends the human security of border communities.

Continuing the capacity development of border agencies achieved under previous UNDP Border Management
initiatives, the new project seeks to inform policy making, strengthen coordination, and build capacities of State
agencies for border security, facilitation of economic exchange in border areas while strengthening security,
building, and/or expanding digital border, customs and trade facilitation systems.

The project will continue to improve border management of the Tajik-Afghan border to ensure that it is open
but secure, flexible and prepared for all potential scenarios, including facilitation of humanitarian assistance,
emergency refugee response, and maintenance of public health, while able to deliver on its positive potential to
promote food security and improved economic livelihoods for the local communities that live on both sides.

The project is funded by the Government of Japan through Japanese Agency for International Cooperation
(JICA) and is implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Tajik Border Force,
the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Customs Service and Drug Control Agency.

LITACA Project Summary

The UNDP’s project “Livelihood Promotion in Tajik-Afghan Cross-border Areas” (LITACA) phase III is a
four-year initiative, financed by the Government of Japan through Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) and implemented by UNDP Tajikistan and Afghanistan. LITACA III is aimed to support start-ups by
providing equipment and supporting marketing, labelling, design, and export. The beneficiaries are small and
medium farmers, agro-processors, and handicraft workshops, both individuals and cooperatives and
cooperatives, traders (wholesalers, retailers, small- and medium-sized enterprises) in Afghanistan and
Tajikistan. The focus in on vulnerable women, unemployed youth, and people with disabilities.

The project has three outputs: (i) increased employment opportunities for communities living in border
provinces of Afghanistan and Tajikistan; (ii) enhanced LITACA products’ access to market; and (iii) improved
access to cross-border trade. It is implemented in 10 cities and districts of the Khatlon Region of Tajikistan
(Kulob, Bokhtar, Shaartus, Jayhun, Qubodiyon, Panj, Dusti, Farkhor, Hamadoni, and Shamsiddin Shohin) and
bordering districts of the Provinces of Badakhshan, Kunduz, Takhar, and Balkh of the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan.

Considering the shared culture, language and good relations between Afghanistan and Tajikistan, joint
cooperation will open new markets for trade and will help create better livelihoods for the people living in the
border areas. The project is planning to improve the capacity of relevant government officials and border
communities to trade across the border.

The Shohon Cross-Border Market is in Sh. Shohin district on the Tajikistan side. This market, which supports
trade between Afghanistan and Tajikistan, officially reopened on December 2, 2023, and operates only on
Saturdays. It has quickly become an important trading hub for both countries. The market is within Tajikistan's
territory, operating under Tajikistan's laws and managed by the Executive Body of State Power (EBSP) of Sh.
Shohin district. The market administration handles all necessary trading permits. For issues related to border
security or trespassing, coordination with the EBSP, market administration, and security agencies is required.
Around 70-80 Afghan entrepreneurs and about 90 Tajik entrepreneurs participate in the market, selling their
goods. The market sees significant cross-border activity, with 1000-1200 Afghan citizens and 600-700 Tajik
citizens crossing the border to buy and sell products.

The Shohon cross-border market has significant potential for boosting trade between Afghanistan and Tajikistan
due to its growing popularity among citizens of both countries. However, challenges exist, such as inadequate
trade infrastructure (shops, warehouses, cold storage) and poor social infrastructure (sanitation, water systems,
facilities for women and children, electricity, fire safety). Addressing these issues is crucial for the market's
development. The LITACA Project plans to provide technical support and funding to improve these areas,
enhance cross-border trade, and ensure the market's sustainability by reducing administrative barriers and
strengthening the skills of merchants and customers.

There are five Cross-Border Markets in Tajikistan, operating only on Saturdays, that facilitate trade between
Tajikistan and Afghanistan without the need for visas. These markets, re-opened in late 2023 by order of the
President of Tajikistan, are governed by local laws and rely on local administration for permits and support.
Hundreds of entrepreneurs from both countries participate, attracting over 1,000 customers each week. While
there's high demand for food products, administrative barriers and slow border processes make it difficult for
merchants and customers to access the markets easily.

To explore cross-border trade opportunities, the UNDP LITACA III and BMP III projects are planning to engage
a contractor for promotion of cross-border trade between Tajikistan and Afghanistan through capacity building
of stakeholders and elimination of administrative challenges related to the access to the market.

2. Target groups and zones

Target areas: cross-border markets (CBMs) Shohon in Shamsiddin Shohin district of Khatlon province,
Ruzvay in Darvoz district, CBMs in Vanj and Ishkoshim districts, and Tem in Khorugh city of GBAO province
as well as local communities of these localities.

Target group:
 Customers and Merchants from Tajikistan and Afghanistan
 State stakeholders, including administrations of CBM, customs and border crossing points’
representatives, etc.

3. Description of services:

a. Assess the cross-border markets’ operations, administrative hurdles, and capacity gaps

1. Conduct interviews with key state officials, such as market administrators, border security
guards, and customs officials, to assess the ease of access to cross-border markets. This will
include evaluating administrative procedures for the movement of people and goods, customs
 processes, and how the markets are managed, along with other factors affecting access for
border communities.
2. Conduct focus group discussions with the merchants and customers in the CBMs to identify
current gender patterns of Tajik-Afghan trade, determine the regulatory, organizational, and
administrative challenges related to the access to the cross-border market.
3. Elaborate detailed analysis report with visuals on the flow of people and goods through the
border crossing for the market. Data should be gender disaggregated. The report should include
gender analysis of current patterns of Tajik-Afghan trade through CBMs, identify problem areas
and bottlenecks, areas for increased efficiency, and where technology or process changes can
be introduced. The report should also propose strategies to enhance the capacity of market
stakeholders and improve the overall management of cross-border markets.

b. Develop training materials and conduct trainings for stakeholders

1. Elaborate training materials and conduct trainings for merchants engaged in trading activities
in the CBMs (with a focus on vulnerable groups including women cross-border traders). At the
Shohon CBM, the training should cover traders both from Tajikistan and Afghanistan1, for other
CMBs, only Tajik citizens should be covered. The trainings should cover the following topics:
 border procedures on export/import processes, taxes and customs regulations, relevant
documentation,
 safety standards, and conflict resolution within a cross-border context,
 introduction of safety and quality standards and improving branding and marketing of
products for further export to Afghanistan (for Tajik citizens only).
 Promotion of e-commerce, and transition from offline to online trading (for Tajik citizens
only).
The trainings will take place at the cross-border markets (the facilities will be provided by
CBMs administration). The trainings might be conducted on Saturdays since Saturday is a
trading day when merchants and customers can be gathered for participation in the envisaged
capacity building activities. The length of each training should be approximately 1.5 hours
since it can be conducted after trading activities at the market are completed.
2. Elaborate training materials and conduct trainings for the cross-border market
administration and border control agencies, focusing on the better coordination between
agencies managing the market and border control. Training should cover topics on customer
service, client orientation, crowd management, and conflict resolution for their specific tasks,
considering security issues and current context in Afghanistan. In close coordination with the
administrations of the target cross-border markets elaborate and introduce business operations
plan to ensure efficient use and maintenance of the infrastructure.

c. Conduct analysis and present recommendations to the stakeholders.

1. Conduct Market Potential Analysis to identify potential opportunities, quantify the potential
revenue impact of streamlining processes, and paint a picture of how a better-functioning
market can boost regional economic activity. Provide detailed recommendations for exploring
business opportunities of the cross-border markets.
2. In close collaboration with Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Tajikistan (CCI) and in
consultation with the Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan,
conduct awareness raising events at local level to sensitize the local communities, including
traders and customers, about customs procedures and regulations, and to present business
opportunities of the cross-border markets, support Afghan entrepreneurs to formulate and
establish business link through CCI.

1
UNDP Tajikistan has obtained endorsement from the national counterparts to conduct a series of capacity building
trainings for customers and merchants from Tajikistan and Afghanistan operating in the mentioned cross border markets.
The training activities will take place in the area of mentioned markets and focus on clarifying Tajikistan's official
procedures to enhance visitors' understanding and streamline markets access.
 3. Develop and place informational materials (banners, brochures) on border movement and
customs procedures2, market operations regalements, etc. It is expected that these materials
should be easy-to- understand, have infographics and will be placed in the markets and BCPs
for MSMEs from both sides.
4. Provide detailed interim and final reports on the conducted activities, lesson learnt,
recommendations.

At least four (4) travels to each target district should be envisaged in the proposal.

4. Expected results:

The above-mentioned tasks are proposed to commence in October 2024 and end in March 2024.
The partner is responsible for the following deliverables:

# Deliverables Indicative
(as in the Terms of Reference) timeframe
(subject to
revision)
1  Conducted interview with at least 100 representatives of the state Within a month
stakeholders for assessment of the access to the cross-border markets; after contract
 At least 15 focus group discussions (10 prs per group) with the merchants signature
and customers of the cross-border districts to determine the organizational
and administrative challenges (3 discussions in each target district; 30% of
focus groups’ participants should be women);
 Detailed analysis report with visuals on the flow of people and goods
through the border crossing for the market developed. Data in the report
should be gender disaggregated. The report should include gender analysis
of current patterns of Tajik-Afghan trade through CBMs, identify problem
areas and bottlenecks, areas for increased efficiency, and where technology
or process changes can be introduced. The report should also propose
strategies to enhance the capacity of market stakeholders and improve the
overall management of cross-border markets.
2  Training materials developed and training for at least 100 merchants (at least Within 2 months
30 women) from both Tajikistan and Afghanistan conducted covering the after the
following topics: acceptance of the
 border procedures on export/import processes, taxes and customs 1st deliverable
regulations, relevant documentation,
 safety standards, and conflict resolution within a cross-border context,
 introduction of safety and quality standards and improving branding and
marketing of products for further export to Afghanistan (for Tajik
citizens only)
 Promotion of e-commerce, and transition from offline to online trading
(for Tajik citizens only).
 Training materials developed and training conducted for the cross-border
market administration and border control agencies covering at least 50
representatives of the state stakeholders (CBM administration, border
guards, customs officials, representatives of local authorities, etc.), focusing
on the better coordination between agencies managing the market activities
and border control. Training should cover topics on customer service, client
orientation, crowd management, and conflict resolution for their specific
tasks, considering security issues and current context in Afghanistan;

2
The standardized information materials will be provided by the Customs Service under the Government of
the Republic of Tajikistan for further elaboration of designs, printing, and dissemination.
  Informational materials (banners, brochures) on border movement and
customs procedures, market operations regalements, etc. developed in both
Tajik and Afghan, agreed with UNDP Project Team, printed and places in
the markets;
 Interim report prepared and approved.
3  Market Potential Analysis conducted and potential business opportunities Within 3 weeks
identified, the potential revenue impact of streamlining processes quantified, after the
and a picture painted of how a better-functioning market can boost regional acceptance of the
economic activity. Detailed recommendations provided for exploring 2nd deliverable
business opportunities of the cross-border markets. The market potential
analysis report prepared and submitted to UNDP;
 Elaborated business operations plan and supported the administration of the
market to improve its efficiency and maintenance (5 business operations
plans agreed with UNDP and the market administrations).
 Interim report prepared and approved
4  Awareness raising events at local level conducted (covering at least 250 Within 2 months
residents (at least 30% of women)) to present business opportunities of the after the
cross-border markets, and support provided to Afghan entrepreneurs to acceptance of the
formulate and establish business links through Chamber of Commerce of the 3rd deliverable
Republic of Tajikistan;
 Final report prepared and approved by UNDP

5. Minimum eligibility criteria for selecting the company:

• At least two (2) years of relevant work experience in economic empowerment of vulnerable groups.
• At least two (2) years of practical experience in the field of provision of trainings, consultations for
local economic development and trade (list of projects implemented in recent years should be provided).
• At least one (1) years of work experience with the international organizations and/or state authorities
(at least one recommendation letter should be provided).
• Availability of legal registration documents

6. Technical proposal evaluation

Expertise of an organization/company

• Documentation proving the reputation of an organization and Staff/Credibility/Reliability (Experience,

PEFs, References etc.)
• Documentation proving the overall institutional capacity of the organization (the company/firm
management, size of the firm/company, the strengths of the project management, such as capital resources and
the project management control)
• Documentation proving financial stability/project financing capacity of an organization
• 3 years of relevant work experience in economic empowerment of vulnerable groups. Experience of capacity
building of producers and trade promotion in cross-border areas is an asset (list of projects where the
economic empowerment was implemented in recent 3 years should be provided).
• 3 years of practical experience in the field of provision of trainings, consultations for local economic
development and trade (list of projects implemented in recent 3 years should be provided).
• 2 years of work experience with the international organizations and/or state authorities of Tajikistan (at least
one recommendation letter should be provided).

Minimum requirements for Team members:

Team Leader/Coordinator
 Degree in Economics, Business Administration, International Trade, International Relations, or other
relevant field. Advanced degree is an asset.
  At least 3 years of work experience in the government sector of the economy, cross-border trade or
foreign trade;
 At least 3 years of practical experience in organization of trainings on cross-border trade and export
with support of international organizations, development projects, of government entities.
 Experience in negotiating with government agencies, local and national experts, representatives of
NGOs and international organizations;
 Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work closely and maintain effective communication with the
authorities and various national and international organizations at the local and regional level
 Knowledge of the socio-economic context of the region
 Knowledge of Tajik and Russian languages

Expert on economic development and cross-border trade

 Degree in Business Administration, Economics, International Trade, or other relevant field. Advanced
degree is an asset.
 At least 3 years of relevant work experience on business planning, elaboration of business sustainability
plans and promotion of e-commerce;
 At least 3 years of experience in training, coaching, and consulting on commerce, trade (preferably
cross-border trade), and marketing;
 Experience in the preparation of information and communication materials supported by at least 1 year
of relevant experience;
 At least 1 year of working experience in conducting consultations to SMEs and state counterparts;
 Knowledge of Tajik and Russian languages

Expert on customs, finance and taxation

 Degree in Customs, or Taxation, International Trade, or other relevant field. Advanced degree is an
asset.
 At least 3 years of relevant work experience on arrangement of customs, finance and taxation
regulations and arrangements in private and/or public sector;
 At least 3 years of experience in training, coaching, and consulting on border procedures and conflict
resolution within a cross-border context;
 Experience in the preparation of information and communication materials supported by at least 1 year
of relevant experience;
 At least 1 year of working experience in conducting consultations to SMEs and state counterparts;
 Knowledge of Tajik and Russian languages

Expert on technology and standardization

 Degree in Agriculture, Food Security, or other relevant field. Advanced degree is an asset.
 At least 3 years of relevant work experience on capacity building in the area of food safety and
standardization;
 At least 3 years of experience in training, coaching, and consulting on food and agriculture standard
promotion preferably in regions;
 Experience in the preparation of information and communication materials support by at least 1 year of
relevant experience;
 At least 1 year of working experience in conducting consultations to SMEs;
 Knowledge of Tajik and Russian languages

7. REPORTING:
The contractor is responsible for providing interim and final progress reports. The report statements shall comply
with the requirements set out in the Contract signed by the Contractor and UNDP.

In addition, the Contractor shall provide UNDP with all photographs and other visual materials collected during
the course of the project. Printed and electronic versions of the reports should be submitted to UNDP. The
electronic version of the report should be saved in MS Word format. All reports must be typed in ARIAL font
size 11 on an A4 page. The title page with the name of the project and the author's name should contain the logo
of UNDP, Tajikistan.

8. PAYMENT:
The total cost of services includes all costs related to the implementation of this assignment in accordance with
the budget submitted. The Contractor shall be responsible for the payment of any taxes arising in connection
with the signing of the Contract between the Contractor and UNDP. However, the Implementing Partner will
not be charged for any cost increase or any additional charges for any reason.

Payments to the Contractor will be made by UNDP in the national currency (Tajik somoni) under the Contract
and transferred to the Contractor's bank account. The exchange rate will be in line with the official rate applied
by UNDP on the date of payment.

9. TIME:
The services provided for in the assignment for the implementation of this sub-project should be provided in the
period from November 2024 to April 2025 (6 months). Any other timeline and progress should be agreed in
advance between UNDP and the Contractor. Only after preliminary agreement between the parties and receipt
of the contract, the changes will come into force.