Trade Policy & Business Environment Advisor at the 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: Trade Policy & Business Environment Advisor

VA No: 080
Location: Abuja
Organization: GIZ Nigeria, SEDIN

Background
GIZ. Solutions that work:

• 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. Since 2004, GIZ has maintained a country office in the capital city Abuja. Currently, 464 national and regional employees, 66 international employees, 6 integrated experts, and 3 development advisors are working in the country (June 2022).

Programme

• The Pro-poor Growth and Promotion of Employment in Nigeria (SEDIN) Programme is implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the European Community.
• SEDIN aims at improving the employment, competitiveness and income situation of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) through four components: policy support, local economic development, entrepreneurship empowerment and the Nigeria Competitiveness Project that is co-funded by the EU.

Responsibilities
The Trade Policy & Business Environment Advisor provides support in:

• Dealing with all questions arising in this area.
• Identifying relevant problems and issues and assisting in formulating implementation-oriented solutions.
• Further developing instruments and assisting in introducing innovation and change.
• Managing knowledge by disseminating and documenting know-how, experience and information.

Tasks
Project Management:

• The Trade Policy & Business Environment Advisor is responsible for developing budgets and estimating expenses for programme activities in the above-mentioned field.
• Assists national and international advisers or consultants in carrying out their work
• Assists the programme with organisational issues.
• Regularly consults with the unit manager and other staff and cooperates on all programme activities.
• Is jointly responsible with the partner institution for preparing, implementing and documenting training events, workshops, fora, team meetings and other programme activities.

Advising Partner Institutions:
The Trade Policy & Business Environment Advisor is responsible
for:

• Maintenance of a good flow of communication and information with the main political partner of the project, the Federal Ministry of Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI).
• Maintenance of a good flow of communication and information with all other involved institutions and stakeholders, in particular Business Membership Organizations (BMOs) and Community-based Organizations (CBOs) with regards to trade policy and business environment in general and particular with regards to MSMEs in the selected value chains and to export promotion.
• Identification of needs of Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, private sector, NGOs and other identified stakeholders relating to their role in promoting exports.
• Assistance with the setup and running of a monitoring / auditing system on pro-MSME aspects of regulations and regulatory reforms at the FMITI.
• Support of BMOs and CBOs in developing policy positions on enabling environment and trade facilitation.
• Assistance of the FMITI and aligned institutions to draft policies and regulations.
• Further development of the capacity of the FMITI to monitor initiatives by the Nigerian government to promote trade and industry.
• Supporting and overseeing the improvement of the trade portal hosted by the FMITI.

Collaboration with other Project Components:

• Assists colleagues on aspects relating to stocktaking of incentives and export/business promotion initiatives.
• Liaise with colleagues responsible for the grant facility to select potential grantees among the BMOs/CBOs for policy advocacy initiatives.

Analytical Work and Knowledge Management:

• Provides technical assistance to local and international experts with regards to trade promotion and enabling environment
• Writes short analytical texts on aspects of regulations for MSMEs
• Ensures knowledge management: collects, processes and distributes relevant information, monitors communication and interaction between government institutions, NGOs and society through analyses of the media, direct dialogue, participation in meetings and seminars etc.

Required Qualifications, Competencies and Experience
Qualifications:

• Master's / MSc in Law, Public Policy, Economics or an area that is related to the Project / Programme Objectives, with a focus on a relevant field.

Professional Experience:

• At least 5 years professional experience in research and analysis, trade policy, trade facilitation and export promotion and / or business environment, policy advocacy and private sector development.

Other Knowledge and Additional Competencies:

• Very good working knowledge of ITC technologies (related software, phone, fax, email, the internet) and computer applications (e.g. MS Office)
• Fluent written and oral knowledge of English
• Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed – corresponding measures are agreed with management.

Remuneration
According to GIZ salary scale for Band 4.

Application Closing Date
26th August, 2022.