Business Enabling Infrastructure Advisor at GIZ Nigeria

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, 66 international employees, 19 regional staff, 4 integrated specialists and 3 development workers are working in the country (June 2020).

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 Business Enabling Infrastructure Advisor will be responsible for the implementation and coordination of interventions to improve MSMEs' access to sustainable infrastructure through clusters, industrial parks, technology hubs, physical markets, or similar innovation infrastructure in FCT and Niger state. This responsibility includes:
• Planning and monitoring of interventions with partners
• Continuing existing and identifying new interventions with a focus on improving MSMEs' access to sustainable infrastructure
• Supporting clusters, industrial parks, technology hubs, physical markets, or similar innovation infrastructure in developing their organizational and service capacities.
• Conducting capacity-building measures and managing the implementation of activities through service providers and consultants
• Cooperate with other staff members in SEDIN`s head and field offices.

Tasks:

The technical expert

• Reviews and implements proposed approaches and activities for improving MSMEs' access to sustainable infrastructure.
• Recommends adjustments of these approaches to improve MSMEs' access to sustainable infrastructure where necessary and identifies and recommends new interventions.
• Manages the relationship with both public and private partners and supports communication between stakeholders and to or from SEDIN.
• Agrees with the project management and partners on interventions to be implemented.
• Cooperates with partners to support the development of local markets and hubs.
• Supports the capacity development of organisations and links them to services and markets.
• Supervises external short- and long-term experts contracted.
• Supports MSMEs in increasing the environmental sustainability of their business in one of the following dimensions: energy efficiency, energy supply through renewable energy and circular economy.
• Supports the promotion of employment through clusters, industrial parks, technology hubs, physical markets or similar innovation infrastructure.
• 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 events.
• Supports strengthening relevant industry associations and interest/advocacy groups.
• Facilitates Public Private Dialogues and knowledge exchanges.
• Performs other tasks as may be assigned and assists with other GIZ activities as may be required by management.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Law, Economics, Social Sciences, or a related field is required.

Professional experience:

• At least 7 years of professional experience in areas relevant to local economic and value chain development
• Experience in working with and building the capacity of local organizations, cooperatives, and advocacy groups.
• Experience in supporting change processes.
• Experience with green business models, the application of renewable energies, and sustainable production and business processes
• Experience in working with and building the capacity of both MSMEs and government officials in MDAs.
• Experience in supporting change processes.
• Experience in developing business models and with circular economy principles
• Experience in working with the public and private sectors and with civil society organizations and community development organizations.
• Experience in working with clusters, hubs, and physical markets.

Other Knowledge, Additional Competencies:

• Ability to work independently and without 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)
• Self-motivated, pro-active approach in identifying and promoting innovative approaches.
• Impeccable presentation, verbal, and written communication skills in English
• Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed – corresponding measures are agreed with management.