Local Economic & Value Chain Development Advisor (Maternity Cover) 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: Local Economic & Value Chain Development Advisor (Maternity Cover)

Vacancy No: 098
Location: Jos, Plateau
Organization: GIZ Nigeria, Skills for Youth Employment in Nigeria (SKYE)

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 & Tasks
Responsibilities:

• The Local Economic and Value Chain Development Advisor will be responsible for the implementation and coordination of Local Economic and Value Chain Development interventions in SEDIN Plateau State.
• Facilitate the implementation of plans developed and agreed with partners (public and private)
• Support and follow up on implementation plan with partners
• Support to planning and monitoring of interventions with partners
• Strengthen local organisations in developing their organisational and service capacities
• Organising capacity building measures and managing the implementation of activities through service providers and consultants
• Cooperating with other staff members in SEDIN`s head office, Local Economic Development (LED) workstream and field offices and sharing of information where needed

Tasks
General:
In exchange with the Head of Component, other staff in the Local Economic and Value Chain (VC) component and workstreams, field office staff and other Advisors in Plateau State the technical advisor:

• Implements LED and VC activities and supports partners in Plateau State generally and in the SEDIN selected (9) LGAs in Plateau State specifically for the LED interventions
• Complements recommended tools and approaches to increase employment and income effects where necessary
• Supports the LED team manage the relationship with both public and private partners and facilitates communication between stakeholders and to or from SEDIN
• Coordinates the capacity development of organisations and linking them to services and markets
• Supervises and monitors external short- and long-term experts contracted for VC and LED specific support and other contracted consultants
• Supports increasing access to business development services
• Liaises with other technical experts of the programme
• In cooperation with the M&E advisors, monitors and evaluates the results of activities
• In cooperation with the communication advisors,
• contributes to knowledge management and prepares materials for disseminating information
• Participates in team meetings and other project activities and events as required.

Required Qualifications, Competences and Experience
Qualifications:

• MSc / MBA in relevant areas.

Professional Experience:

• At least 5 years professional experience in areas relevant for economic development
• Experience in working with and building the capacity of local organisations, cooperatives, and advocacy groups
• Experience in supporting change processes
• Experience with business development service providers
• Knowledge of Plateau and socio-economic activities and culture
• Experience in working with the public sector for promoting local economic development
• Experience in working with the private sector for developing business and market linkages

Other Knowledge and Additional Competencies:

• Ability to work independently and with little supervision
• Ability to work in teams and experience with working with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to manage project timelines, processes, and tasks effectively
• Good working knowledge of virtual communication and computer applications (e.g. MS Office, MS Teams)
• Self-motivated, proactive approach in identifying and promoting innovative approaches
• Impeccable presentation, verbal, and written communication skills in English
• Ability to speak Hausa to ease communication with and among stakeholders is an advantage
• Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed

Salary
According to GIZ salary scale for Band 4.

Application Closing Date
5th December, 2022.