Project Assistant 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: Project Assistant

Vacancy Announcement No: 090
Location: Abeokuta, Ogun
Employment Type: Full-time
Organization: GIZ Nigeria, Skills Development for Youth Employment (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 around 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, 361 national and 66 international employees, 19 regional staff, 4 integrated specialists, and 3 development workers are working in the country (June 2020).

The Project
Skills Development for Youth Employment (SKYE) Programme:

• The GIZ Programme “Skills for Youth Employment in Nigeria (SKYE)” supports the diversification of the economy in Nigeria through the promotion of demand-oriented technical and vocational training and education (TVET). Hereby, the project is focusing mainly on the automotive, ICT, and other sectors.
• The strategy of the project is to improve the synergy between measures on the demand side for employment (i.e. skilled persons that followed vocational qualification measures, formal and informal TVET, and Agricultural-VET (ATVET) measures) with those of the employment supply side (i.e. promotion of a pro-employment environment in the private sector through e.g. job centers, job fairs, short-term training, and internship programs, etc.).
• The purpose is to develop the match-making between the supply and demand for skilled labor force and hence to contribute to the decrease of youth unemployment in the country.

Responsibilities & Tasks
Responsibilities:

• The Project Assistant supports the SKYE Programme in technical activities.

Specifically, the Project Assistant performs the following tasks:
The Project Assistant:

• Assists in drafting official documents (e.g., Concept Notes, Terms of Reference, Activity Requests, Contract Requests, Meeting agendas, Material Requests, Travel Requests, and Reports for internal and external activities).
• Assists in the management processes for consultants contracted (e.g., organize consultant visits, monitor progress, check on deliverables, coordinate with partners).
• Supports the technical team in partner engagement.
• In close collaboration with the Technical Advisors ALMM and TVET, engages in coordination and networking with other GIZ programs, project partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Supports administrative tasks and processes (logistics, contractual, and other) as necessary for the effective and efficient implementation of the project activities.
• Supports the organization of meetings with relevant stakeholders and all meeting-related aspects, including taking minutes of meetings.
• Assists in following up with partners in the planning, implementation, and closure of activities.
• Travels within the region and beyond as required and supports the coordination and monitoring of project activities in Ogun state and other partner states.
• Supports the designing of work plans to facilitate the implementation of activities.
• Assists in procurement processes and keeps relevant files of procurement disposal carried out.
• Undertakes other tasks as may be required.

Knowledge Management:

• Ensures knowledge transfer of relevant information to the unit or program.
• Assists in documentation and adequately labels all relevant files for future use on the relevant servers.
• Prepares appropriate input for various unit/program reports, including annual reports, presentations, and contributes to the other reports required by the program.
• Assists in providing relevant information and other input into the Skills development process in the country.
• Assists in providing relevant data and other input into the Projects’ Monitoring and Evaluation systems.

General Management:

• Assists in preparing, conducting, and documenting internal meetings.
• Assists in preparing, conducting, and documenting meetings with partners.
• Assists in keeping track of processes and actions required.
• May be assigned other tasks as required.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Agricultural Science, Education, Economics, Social & Management Sciences, or in a similar area

Professional Experience:

• Not more than two years’ professional experience in a similar field.
• Work experience in one of the fields mentioned in the following is an asset: vocational training, employment promotion, career guidance, migration (e.g., reintegration of returnees).
• Work experience with GIZ processes is an asset.
• International exposure and/or work experience in an international organization is an asset.

Key Professional Competencies:

• Knowledge of administrative procedures and systems, managing files and records, and other office procedures.
• Proficiency with MS Office programs (especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Willingness to strengthen skills and competencies as required by the task to be performed in line with measures agreed with the supervisor and management.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English language, very strong pidgin.
• Willingness to travel to the field and other program offices in Nigeria.
• Detail-oriented and ability to work under minimal supervision and to show initiative and resourcefulness.
• Good communication skills.
• A good team player who is willing to take on responsibility.

Other Experiences and Skills:

• Work experience in the context of donor-funded technical assistance projects or programs in Nigeria or the region.
• Knowledge of issues of gender equality.
• Knowledge of value chain development.
• Knowledge of security-related skills.
• Knowledge of employment promotion/soft skills.

Salary
According to GIZ salary scale for Band 2.

Application Closing Date
2nd November, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and Letter of Motivation as one document with complete contact details to: recruitment-nigeria@giz.de using vacancy no. 090 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.