Advisor, Import Process for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

The Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (German Agency for International Cooperation) is an international enterprise owned by the German Federal government, operating in many fields across more than 130 countries.

In Nigeria, GIZ's portfolio includes among others, a programme to support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in its regional integration goals. The programme aims to strengthen sector-specific capacities in the areas of Peace and Security, Customs and Trade as weir as Strategic Management and Organizational Development in the ECOWAS Commission.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Advisor, Import Process for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

VA No: 090
Location: Abuja
Organization: GIZ Nigeria, Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP)

Background

• As a service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work, we are dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world.
• GIZ has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment promotion, energy and the environment, and peace and security.
• The diverse expertise of our federal enterprise is in demand around the globe – from the German Government, European Union institutions, the United Nations, the private sector and governments of other countries.
• We work with businesses, civil society actors and research institutions, fostering successful interaction between development policy and other policy fields and areas of activity. Our main commissioning party is the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The registered offices of GIZ are in Bonn and Eschborn. Our approximately 23,500 employees, almost 70 percent of whom are national personnel, work in a round 120 countries (July 2020)
• GIZ has worked in Nigeria since 1974. From 2004, GIZ has maintained a country office in the capital city Abuja. Currently 361 national and 66 international employees, 19 regional staff, 4 integrated specialists and 3 development workers are working in the country (June 2020).
• The Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) is co-funded by the European Union and the German Government and implemented jointly by Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). It aims at enabling and fostering investments in a domestic market for Renewable Energy (RE) and Energy Efficiency (EE) and improve access to electricity in Nigeria.

Programme:

• As part of the programme and in close collaboration with its public and private partners, the unit “Enabling Environment for RE and EE Investments” aims at strengthening quality delivery and control mechanisms to enhance an enabling market environment for the application of and investments in RE and EE.
• This includes activities with Federal Ministry of Power (FMP), Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investments (FMITI), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), business associations as well as the private sector. Concrete partnerships and activities have been established with FMP and other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as part of the Programme Steering Committee and Technical Working Group (TWG).
• The programme is currently supporting the Federal Ministry of Power and other relevant public and private stakeholders in streamlining import procedures and practices, to reduce the risks associated with the importation of RE/EE equipment into Nigeria.
• NESP is adopting a multi-stakeholder approach in collecting information and experiences with the importation process, and in elaborating suggestions on how to tackle the identified challenges

Responsibilities and Tasks
Responsibilities:

• The Advisor will work within the Unit on Enabling Environment for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Investments.
• The Advisor will support the Head in the general management of the Unit

Tasks:
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Unit the Advisor, Import Process for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency will:

• Support the streamlining of import procedures and practices on the importation of RE/EE equipment
• Development of guideline on import process and customs procedures on the importation of RE/EE equipment.
• Reviewing existing framework and procedure for importation of RE/EE equipment.
• Facilitating and steering policy level cooperation agreement towards a streamlined import process for renewable energy and energy efficiency equipment.
• Coordinating with GIZ ECOWAS programme, NESP procurement team and other components on import related issues.
• Organising market survey (sector studies) on import process for RE/EE equipment and gap analysis.
• Explore digital solutions in the context of renewable energy and energy efficiency importation procedures and practices.
• Developing concepts for digital solutions regarding the topics on importation process for RE/EE equipment.
• Supporting digitalization of import documentation (based on UN-ADS) and upgrading import-export commodity database (IECD) for RE/EE equipment.

Activity Coordination:

• Organizing field missions and events (for NESP local partners and/or consultants incl. workshops, awareness campaigns, meetings, study tour, trainings, etc).
• Capacity building for key partners including Federal Ministry of Finance, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Ports Authority, Terminal Operators and Clearing Agents at the
• port.
• Supporting project planning, implementation and coordination of activities (incl. ToRs for consultants, concepts, budgeting, review of consultants’ invoices, sector studies and reporting).
• Reviewing project’s operational plan periodically to ensure that proposed activities are meeting specified outputs in line with the project’s indicators

Overarching Tasks:

• Knowledge management of the work results (organize and update project documentation, filing, data base).
• Ensure communication and visibility of the results in line with NESP’s Communication and Visibility Plan/Strategy.
• Support in the planning, monitoring and evaluation of Unit activities (incl. drawing up monitoring/progress reports).
• Establish collaborations with public and private partners including the Federal Ministry of Finance, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Ports Authority, Terminal Operators and Clearing Agents at the port

General Obligations:
The advisor:

• Is familiar with all components of the programme, concepts and status of implementation and knows the corresponding experts and staff.
• Represents the interest of the GIZ-assisted measure and always acts on its behalf.
• Carries out important tasks for the programme, even if these are not explicitly cited in the job description.
• Performs other duties and tasks at the request of the management.

Required Qualifications, Competences and Experience

• A University Degree in Energy Studies, Electrical Engineering, Business Administration, Economics or any relevant field of study. A Masters’ Degree is an added advantage. Professional Competencies and Experience
• 5 years of relevant experience in the energy sector with demonstrated ability in implementing renewable and energy efficiency projects.
• Knowledge of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
• Knowledge of renewable energy and energy efficiency policies, regulations and plans in Nigeria.
• Familiar with renewable energy and energy efficiency stakeholders in Nigeria.
• Knowledge of custom’s procedures and environment is regarded as an asset.
• Hands-on project management experience and ability to efficiently manage numerous activities simultaneously, a flair for problem-solving and an ability to self-navigate through complex bureaucratic environments.

Other Knowledge and Additional Competencies:

• Fluent written and oral knowledge of English. Knowledge of local languages would be an asset.
• A very good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with internet-based information platforms and aspects of digitalization would be an asset.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly to any region in Nigeria (including seaports and land borders).

Salary
According to GIZ salary scale for Band 4.

Application Closing Date
19th November, 2021.