Support for enhancing territorial potential for inclusive local development in northern Togo

The objective of the assignment is to provide comprehensive technical assistance supporting the implementation of the project "Integrated Territorial Development and Good Governance in Togo" through institutional development, digital transformation, municipal benchmarking, peer-to-peer learning and specialised technical expertise contributing to integrated territorial development and good local governance in northern Togo. GIZ seeks to contract a consultancy firm for an implementation period of 24 months. The contractor will provide technical services through two Key Experts and a pool of short-term experts with international, regional and national experience allowing demand-driven mobilisation of specialised expertise throughout project implementation. The overall contract is expected to require approximately 1.500 expert days, delivered through individual experts and expert pools. The assignment is organised around four complementary work packages: Work Package 1: Development and institutionalisation of municipal benchmarking The contractor will support the development and implementation of a harmonised benchmarking system for municipalities, including performance frameworks, indicators, data collection methodologies, digital data management solutions and institutional anchoring in close collaboration within the National Association of Municipalities of Togo (FCT). The performance assessment on key competences of municipalities through the benchmarking system will provide the basis for mutual learning by identifying individual strengths and weaknesses across municipalities. Work Package 2: Development and institutionalisation of peer-to-peer learning The contractor will support the National Training Agency for Local Authorities (ANFCT) in establishing sustainable peer-to-peer learning mechanisms based on the benchmarking results, including learning methodologies, training concepts, organisational arrangements and knowledge management. Work Package 3: Operational implementation The contractor will support the implementation of benchmarking and peer-to-peer learning in the target municipalities through data collection and analysis, facilitation of learning events, capacity development, capitalisation of experiences and gradual institutionalisation of the developed mechanisms. Work Package 4: Provision of specialised short-term expertise The contractor will provide a pool of international, regional and national experts covering organisational development, digital solutions, benchmarking, peer-to-peer learning, monitoring and evaluation, territorial development, decentralisation, local economic development, public financial management and other specialised expertise required during project implementation. The contractor will be responsible for providing strategic and technical advisory services, conducting analyses and studies, developing methodologies and digital tools, facilitating multi-stakeholder processes, organising workshops, trainings and study visits, supporting institutional development and delivering monitoring and evaluation activities where required. The contractor will work closely with GIZ, the Ministry of Local Development (MDDL), regional authorities, municipalities, the National Association of Municipalities (FCT), the National Training Agency for Local Authorities (ANFCT) and other public and private stakeholders. Close coordination with other development partners active in northern Togo is expected where relevant. Throughout the implementation period, the contractor shall ensure high-quality technical delivery, regular reporting, knowledge management and quality assurance. Innovative, scalable and context-adapted approaches are expected in order to strengthen institutional ownership, facilitate replication and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the mechanisms developed under the project.