Technical Assistance on Data Governance for anglophone

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is looking for Technical Assistance on Data Governance for anglophone.

Further details of the assignment can be found in the Terms of Reference. Please request all tender documents by email from au_bidderquestions@giz.deby mentioning 83490877_Technical Assistance on Data Governance for anglophone.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a global service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world. As a public-benefit federal enterprise, GIZ supports the German Government – in particular the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) – and many public and private sector clients in achieving their objectives in international cooperation in around 120 countries.

Since 2004, GIZ has been a reliable and trusted partner of the African Union (AU) to enhance inclusive growth and sustainable development on the African continent in line with the AU’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. With more than 200 staff, GIZ African Union cooperates with the AU Commission, as well as the AU’s specialised institutions and agencies, such as the Development Agency AUDA-NEPAD, at continental, regional and national level in more than 35 member states. Key areas of engagement include Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, Governance and Migration, Sustainable Economic Growth and Employment, as well as Health and Social Development.

As a joint initiative by AU, EU and Germany, the regional GIZ African Union Programme ‘DataCipation – Inclusive and harmonised digital and data policies in Africa’ aims to address key governance levers that have a significant impact on an inclusive and harmonized digital and data policy on the African continent: Inclusive multi-stakeholder processes, strategic skills development, coordination among key actors, promotion and scaling of digital innovation, and testing and monitoring of data governance models. Community participation, increasingly also digitally supported, forms an overarching framework for achieving an inclusive design of AU digital policy. In this regard, women's participation in AU digital policy design and monitoring is particularly encouraged.

The programme is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the European Union (EU). It is part of the GIZ portfolio with the AU and is implemented through a team of diverse backgrounds in Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Pretoria and Berlin. The political partner for the regional programme is the Bureau of the Chairperson at the African Union Commission, demonstrating the high-level political commitment of the AU to the project. Further implementation partners in the AU include, among others, the Department of Infrastructure and Energy (DIE), the Directorate of Information and Communications (DIC), the Directorate for Women, Gender and Youth, the AUDA-NEPAD Coordination Unit, as well as the AU Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD).

Since 2023, the programme received additional funds through a joint Team Europe Initiative (TEI) in the field of data governance. Within the Data Policy and Governance component of the programme, the focus is on supporting the implementation of the AU Data Policy Framework, a high-level, principle-based strategy for African countries to optimize the benefits of a data-driven society and economy. While working with AUC as main political counterpart, the team strives for implementation on the national level in direct collaboration with AU Member States and regional organizations like Smart Africa, AUDA-NEPAD and UNECA. As part of the TEI, this component is particularly responsible for the development of regulations and policy roadmaps leading towards harmonized data governance. The African Union Data Policy Framework (AU DPF) approved in February 2022, “is to provide the policy framework for African countries to maximise the benefits of a data-driven economy by creating an enabling policy environment for the private and public investments necessary to support data-driven value creation and innovation”. The AU DPF also addresses how opportunities can be realised while mitigating its associated risks by creating an enabling and trusted environment. This is where the GIZ DataCipation programme aligns perfectly: it promotes harmonised and inclusive digital and data policies in Africa. Through this initiative, a network of independent digital policy experts is established, providing valuable resources for the AU and its member states (MS) to consult on specific digital policy issues. This collaborative effort ensures that data governance in Africa remains inclusive, innovative, and aligned with the broader goals of the AU DPF.

The Data Governance Component of the DataCipation programme is currently implementing the AU Data Policy Framework

• Providing technical assistance to the African Union (AU), its member states, and regional economic communities (RECs) to support the harmonization and integration of data governance instruments at continental, regional, and national levels.
• Engaging with civil society, academic institutions, and implementing organizations to facilitate policy development and capacity-building services for AU member states, RECs, and the AU itself in the field of data governance and policy.

Tasks to be performed by the contractor

The contractor is expected to provide up to 100 working days of consultation, guidance, and technical support in the evolving field of data policy. This work will align with the DataCipation programme’s advisory role to the African Union and its support to AU Member States. Specifically, the contractor will contribute to the domestication and implementation of the AU DPF. This role requires a proactive and adaptable approach to addressing the evolving needs of AU institutions and member states in data governance

In response to short-term requests from the AUC and the DataCipation teams, the contractor will be responsible for delivering the following services at regional and national levels:

• Assisting the AU Member States in aligning and harmonizing data governance frameworks.
  • Providing technical reviews and feedback on draft policies, strategies, regulations, and legislative proposals.
  • Developing guidelines and policy briefs for AU institutions and national regulatory bodies.
  • Supporting the organization of and facilitating workshops and other event formats with relevant policymakers and stakeholders.
  • Representing the DataCipation Programme in expert group meetings, policy dialogues, and stakeholder engagements.
  • Supporting the development of regional knowledge-sharing platforms on data governance.
  • Offering strategic advice to the AU Information Society Division on the implementation of the AU Data Policy Framework.
  • Monitoring and reporting on the progress of national-level data governance adoption.
  • Contributing to project progress reports for GIZ and its commissioning parties.

The number of expert days: 100 days

Period of assignment: 01.09.2025 to 31.07.2026

Required qualifications:

Key expert 1: Data Policy Expert

Tasks of key expert 1

• Provide high-level technical assistance to AU Member States on data governance policy implementation.
• Conduct policy analysis and advisory services for continental, regional and national bodies, and stakeholders.
• Assist the development of technical reports, policy briefs, and guidelines for AU bodies and Member States.
• Facilitate and present at capacity-building workshops and policy dialogues.
• Engage with AU bodies and international stakeholders on data governance harmonization efforts.

Qualifications of key expert 1

• Education/training (2.2.1): Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in Data Governance, Digital Policy, ICT Law or related fields
  • Language (2.2.2): C1 level language proficiency in English is mandatory
  • General professional experience (2.2.3): 8years of experience in digital governance, ICT regulation, or public policy advisory roles
  • Specific professional experience (2.2.4): 5 years of experience working on data policy frameworks, digital rights, or data protection regulations
  • Leadership/management experience (2.2.5): 3 years of experience managing policy projects, multi-stakeholder initiatives, or technical working groups
  • Regional experience (2.2.6): 5 years of experience working with AU institutions, African national governments, or regional economic communities (RECs)
  • Development Cooperation (DC) experience (2.2.7): 5 years of experience working with international organizations (e.g., GIZ, UN, EU, World Bank) on development projects
  • Other (2.2.8): Strong analytical, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills. Familiarity with AU DPF and emerging trends in data governance is highly desirable

Soft skills of team members

In addition to their specialist qualifications, the following qualifications are required of team members:

• Teamwork & collaboration.
  • Strong communication & negotiation skills.
  • Experience working in multi-stakeholder settings

How to apply

Please request all tender documents via email from au_bidderquestions@giz.de by mentioning 83490877_Technical Assistance on Data Governance for anglophone on your subject email.

Tender documents include:

• Terms of reference (ToR) with description of tasks,
• Price sheet for submission of financial offer,
• Evaluation grid for technical evaluation of the offers,
• GIZ invitation letter,
• Bidding conditions,
• General Terms and Conditions of Contract (AVB local),
• Eligibility self-declaration,
• Extract from act against restraints on competition.