Country: Togo
Closing date: 31 Aug 2019
Background
The Office Togolais des Recettes (OTR) – the National Revenue Authority of Togo - has requested technical assistance in reviewing the past performance of the Authority, helping to create a Tax Policy Unit, assisting in recruiting key managerial staff and making recommendations for future strategy and policy.
The OTR is a public administrative institution with legal status and administrative and financial management autonomy. Its principle functions are set out in appropriate legislation and relate mainly to the administration and collection of taxes and duties.
OTR performance since its establishment in January 2014 has been very positive. Budget revenues increased by 42.5% between 2013 and 2018, rising from CFAF 403.6 billion to CFAF 575.2 billion; an average annual increase of 7.3% over the 2014-18 period. The percentage of tax has also increased without any change in tax policy i.e. without creating new taxes and without increasing tax rates).
The Government of Togo is now keen to build on these results and assess the actual contribution of OTR to the national economy.
Activities
- Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the OTR during its first five years of operationalization (2014-18)
- Make recommendations for the further development of the OTR for the period 2020-24
- Establish a Fiscal Policy Unit
Project Deliverables
- An evaluation report of OTR for the period 2014 to 2018 including the performances achieved, the difficulties encountered as well as the recommendations
- A new five-year Office development strategy with a prioritized Priority Action Plan for the period 2020-24
- Recommendations as to the optimum organisational structure
- Proposed revisions to HR policies and procedures and, if necessary, legislation
- A confidential report for the exclusive attention of the Board of Directors and the Minister in charge of the finances concerning specific recommendations, if any
- A report on the establishment of the Fiscal Policy Unit
- A set of management documents of the Tax Policy Unit such as the salary and benefits matrix, the staff regulations, the job descriptions, the rules of procedure, the organization chart, the procedures manuals, etc.
- A strategic plan, an operational plan and a communication strategy for the Unit
- A recruitment report regarding the initial appointment of managers for the exclusive attention of the Board of Directors and the Minister in charge of finance
- A recruitment report regarding the initial appointment of the people in charge of the Tax Policy Unit for the exclusive attention of the Minister in charge of Finance.
Anticipated outcomes arising from the programme will be:
- Areas where performance is weaker than expected identified allowing for remedial action and increased overall efficiency
- A refined vision for the OTR
- Tax Strategies in line with overall Government objectives
- Revisions to strategy and structure to provide optimum service to taxpayers
- Improved communications with taxpayers and the wider public
- Modernised Human Resources procedures
- Integration of key functions and procedures
- Increased compliance and tax yield
- Improved services to taxpayers
- More transparency and reductions in opportunities for corruption.
Reporting
The consultant will report to the CA Project Director.
Duration
The total duration of the project will be 4 months.
Specific Tasks
Lead a team of experts tasked with carrying out the activities listed at 3 above and producing the deliverables listed at 4;
On arrival, meet key stakeholders and produce an Inception Report and agreed work plan after two weeks on site;
In conjunction with other team members, carry out a Political Economy Analysis of Togo with particular reference to the OTR;
Lead the team in carrying out an assessment of the OTR’s performance 2014 – 2018;
Lead the team in drafting a strategic plan for 2020-2024;
Lead the team in assisting the OTR to establish a Fiscal Policy Unit;
Ensure that other team members produce their required deliverables;
Provide a weekly update to the CA project director.
Requirement
Ability to read, write and speak French;
Hold at least a BAC + 5 degree in Economics, Management, Finance and Control or other similar discipline;
Have at least ten (10) years professional experience in the field of reform and modernization of integrated tax and customs administrations (Tax and Customs Revenue Office), particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa;
Have proven experience in developing development policies and strategies for integrated tax and customs administrations;
Have carried out at least three (03) reform and modernization or evaluation missions of integrated tax administrations (Office of Tax and Customs Revenue);
Have solid knowledge of at least two operational tax and customs management software;
Mastery of basic software (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Access);
How to apply: