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Southern Africa is home to a vibrant creative economy encompassing a wide range of cultural and creative sectors. The cultural goods and services produced by the creative industry are powerful vectors of identity, values, and cultural diversity. At the same time, they significantly contribute to sustainable economic development, through generating substantial revenue and job creation across various cultural and creative sectors. Despite the richness and diversity of Southern African cultural expressions, there are several challenges, but also opportunities. 

UNESCO is partnering SADC to support 16 Southern African countries in promoting a balanced exchange of cultural goods and services in the context of the project “Culture and trade: Facilitating a balanced exchange of cultural goods and services in Southern African countries in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other relevant trade agreements.” The project aims to ensure that Southern African countries leverage the AfCFTA and other relevant trade agreements to boost their creative economies and enhance regional integration through a balanced exchange of cultural goods and services. 

As an initial step and to better understand the current status quo, UNESCO is commissioning a study to provide an understanding on the treatment of cultural goods and services in the SADC region and identify opportunities for the balanced exchange of cultural goods and services in Southern African countries.  This study should build upon a recent study commissioned by the SADC Secretariat on trade in recreational, cultural and sporting services, prepared to support regional negotiations on trade in services under the SADC Protocol on Trade in Services.  This new study is more broadly based to cover exchanges of cultural goods as well as services.

UNESCO and the SADC Secretariat invite qualified and experienced consultant(s) or firms to submit expressions of interest to conduct a comprehensive situational analysis on the treatment of cultural goods and services within the SADC region.

Within the framework of the above context and under the overall authority of the UNESCO Regional Director for Southern Africa and the direct supervision of the Head of the Culture Unit, the consultant(s) or firm shall:

1.Conduct a situational analysis on the treatment of cultural goods and services in the SADC region and identify opportunities for the balanced exchange of cultural goods and services in sixteen Southern African countries, namely Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The objectives of the situational analysis are to:

• Assess the current state of the trade in cultural goods and services in the SADC region.

• Analyse the current bilateral and regional trade agreements' treatment of cultural goods and services and identify their potential to enhance a balanced exchange of cultural goods and services.

• Highlight barriers to trade in cultural goods and services regionally, such as tariffs, technical barriers to trade such as on movement of artists and their equipment, and other non-tariff barriers, and explore strategies for overcoming these barriers

• Identify opportunities and propose strategies for enhancing a balanced exchange of cultural goods and services among SADC member states, and for SADC member states to leverage the AfCFTA and other relevant trade agreements

2. Produce a report presenting the findings, including policy recommendations and strategies for enhancing the balanced exchange of cultural goods and services.

3. Present the study's findings and recommendations during a regional workshop to be organized by UNESCO and the SADC Secretariat.

The consultant(s) or firm shall submit the following:

1. Technical and Financial Proposal clearly outlining the methodology to undertake the study. The methodology should include the data collection and analysis techniques, reasons for choosing the research method(s), and the associated financial costs.

2. A detailed work plan with timelines.

3. A comprehensive report that should contain the following, among other sections:

   a) Executive Summary.

   b) Findings of the study.

   c) Recommendations.

4. A PowerPoint presentation for the workshop outlining the findings and recommendations.

• The consultant(s), or at least one team member of the firm, should have a master's degree in Cultural Studies, International Trade, Economics, Public Policy or any other related field.

• The consultant(s) or firm must demonstrate experience of at least five (5) years in research and analysis in trade, arts and culture, cultural policy, or sustainable development.

• Proven expertise in conducting research and assessments in trade, especially cultural goods and services sector, including relevant policies and regulatory frameworks.

• Excellent English (both written and oral).

• Excellent research and writing skills.

Activities are expected to be completed over three (3) months from the date of signing the contract with UNESCO.

UNESCO and the selected candidate(s) will discuss the budget based on the Financial and Technical proposal of the selected candidate(s).

Interested parties are invited to submit their expressions of interest via email to vacancies.harare@unesco.org with a copy to td.murahwi@unesco.org:

• Technical and financial proposal (max four pages) describing how they intend to undertake the assignment and the associated costs.

• Detailed CV

• Samples of previous work done (max two samples).

• Brief Workplan and Timeline.

Applications should be received by 7 February 2025 (Midnight, Harare time).