Technical Advisor, ECOWAS Peace Support Operations 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 of:

Job Title: Technical Advisor, ECOWAS Peace Support Operations

VA No. 002
Location: Abuja, FCT
Organization: GIZ Nigeria, Country Office

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 egistered 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:
• Since 2006, GIZ through the commissioning and funding of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) implemented the “Support Programme to the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)”.
• The Programme was aimed at strengthening the Commission in executing its core mandate of facilitating economic and political integration. GIZ support has had a focus in three principal areas including; 1) Organisational Development, 2) Trade and Customs, and 3) Peace and Security in which the Programme supported the strengthening of sector-specific expertise as well as strategic planning and management structures, capacities and processes.
• Presently, GIZ implements the “ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture and Operations” (EPSAO) Project with co-funding from the European Union (EU) and the BMZ.
• The main objective of the project is to support ECOWAS in the prevention and management of conflict and security threats in West Africa. There are five strategic areas of focus for the project: the strengthening of ECOWAS mechanisms for the promotion and maintenance of peace, stability and post crisis operations; enabling ECOWAS to manage emerging or existing conflicts; contributing to the creation of a secure and safe post conflict environment; and promoting peaceful, fair, transparent and inclusive electoral processes in West Africa. Since September 2022, the BMZ-funded module "Supporting the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC)" has been integrated into the EPSAO module and serves to further strengthen the regional training infrastructure.

Responsibilities & Tasks
Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the Head of Programme and the Head of Component Peace Support Operations and Security Sector Reform, the Technical Advisor ECOWAS Peace Support Operations is responsible for supporting the ECOWAS Commission with the conceptualization, planning and delivery of relevant trainings to the ESF and for developing, planning and implementing activities designed to strengthen the cooperation between ECOWAS and its training centres.

Tasks
The Technical Advisor ECOWAS Peace Support Operations will undertake the following roles and functions:

• Design, plan and implement technical advisory instruments related to peace support operations, in liaison with the partner and under the technical supervision of the Head of Component.
• Provide technical advice and support to the Directorate of Peacekeeping and Regional Security (DPKRS) of the ECOWAS Commission on peace operations policy, capacity development/training issues and the cooperation between TCEs and TIs.
• Engage through advisory and technical services the Training Centres of Excellence/Training Institutes(TCEs/TIs) in support of the ECOWAS Standby Force’scapacity/capability needs and requirements
• Provide advice to the ECOWAS Standby Force Training Focal Points on training related aspects, taking into account integrated approaches strengthening the multidimensionality of the ESF, but also gender mainstreaming requirements.
• Identify new training needs, policy requirements and joint activities in dialogue with the partner, the training centersand the Head of Component.
• Support alignment of the ECOWAS Standby Force within the continental African Peace and Security (APSA) framework.

Planning, Implementation and Knowledge Management:

• Ensure sound and efficient planning, organisation and implementation of planned activities and events, in close coordination with the relevant colleagues from the administrative and financial units and under the technical supervision of the Head of Component.
• Support the implementation of the Component’s annual work planning, budget and review processes, in line with the project objectives and procedures.
• Support knowledge management and learning through evaluation of trainings and other activities carried out, impact monitoring and identification of lessons learned and best practices.
• Prepare and deliver presentations for both GIZ internal and external events and/or activities, as required.
• Contribute to the preparation of periodic progress for the BMZ and the EU as well as other analytical reports, as required.
• Ensure consistent implementation of GIZ and EU guidelines.
• Perform other project-related duties and functions as may be directed.

Required Qualifications, Competencies and Experience
Qualifications:

• A Master's Degree in International Relations, Law, Political Science, Social Science or other related field of study.

Professional Competencies and Experience:

• At least seven years’ experience working in the areas of peacebuilding, democracy and governance, conflict prevention or another related field.
• At least three years of professional experience with the development, planning and the delivery of training for multidimensional peace support operations.
• Previous work or field experience multi-dimensional peacekeeping missions in Africa is an advantage.

Other Knowledge and Additional Competencies:

• A deep understanding of the African peace and security landscape and especially the ECOWAS region with an established network of contacts across the ECOWAS training centres.
• Ability to work in a highly political context and to engage with a broad range of actors, including high ranking officials, military leaders and civil society.
• Excellent diplomacy and persuasion skills with a high sense of integrity and transparency
• Good knowledge and understanding of results-basedplanning, monitoring and reporting
• A high sense of adaptation and innovation to support training delivery beyond traditional in-presence activities
• Impeccable writing, reporting and presentation skills
• Strong organisational and project management skills
• A strong interest in questions of organisational development and capacity development.
• Spoken and written language skills in English is required for this position. Fluency in French will be a strong added advantage.

Salary
According to GIZ salary scale for Band 4.

Application Closing Date
25th January, 2023.

How to Aply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their CV and Letter of Motivation as one document with complete contact details to: [email protected] using "Vacancy no. 002" as the subject of the email.

Note

• GIZ is an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity.
• All qualified candidates, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, race and religion are encouraged to apply.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.