Head of Component - Conflict Prevention and Elections at GIZ Nigeria

Vacancy No.: 059

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 2020).

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:
  • Organisational Development,
  • Trade and Customs, and
  • 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) Programme 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

• The Head of Component Conflict Prevention and Electoral Affairs reports directly to the Head of Programme and is responsible for overseeing the Conflict Prevention and Electoral Affairs Components within the Project.

Tasks
The Head of Component will undertake the following roles and functions:

Management and Coordination Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership for all substantive and organisational aspects of work for the Conflict Prevention and Electoral Affairs Components (including conceptual and operational planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting) in accordance with the requirements of the commissioning parties - BMZ and the EU - as well as in accordance with GIZ rules and procedures.
• Ensure good collaboration and cooperation with the other Components of the EPSAO Project including the Peace Support Operations, Security Sector Reform and Governance Components as well as the Component supporting the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Training Center.
• Provide good leadership to staff within the Conflict Prevention and Elections Components and implement sound management functions, enabling team members to effectively and innovatively implement their respective areas of work and promote a healthy, vibrant and collegial team atmosphere.
• Assume core management responsibilities for staff within the Conflict Prevention and Elections Components.
• Ensure the day-to-day running of the Conflict Prevention and Electoral Affairs Components including working with team members to formulate substantive work areas; developing annual plans and strategies; ensuring sound contract implementation and monitoring; coordinating and monitor progress against plans; contributing to reporting processes.
• Regular travel within the ECOWAS region.

Advisory Services and Responsibilities:

• Within the spirit and scope of the ECOWAS conflict prevention framework (ECPF), provide substantive advisory services and support for the further enhancement and reinforcement of ECOWAS’ capacities for early warning, preventive diplomacy, mediation and electoral affairs.
• Keep abreast of trends, policy discourse and other developments in the sector so as to ensure ability to engage at a strategic level and to provide guidance on relevant policy response options and actions.

Networking and Cooperation:

• Contribute to the strategic direction and engagement of the EPSAO Programme with an ability to represent the Programme/Components at regional and international events and ensure that the Programme is visible and adequately positioned.
• Cultivate partnerships with key stakeholders at regional and national levels, including civil society, youth actors and media.
• Ensure appropriate linkages and synergies with other development partners working in similar sectors to ensure coherence and complementarity of efforts.
• Ensure regular cooperation and exchange with other relevant GIZ bilateral and regional programmes and sector networks.

Knowledge Management, Monitoring and Visibility:

• Support effective impact monitoring and reporting for the Components in line with the requirements of the commissioning parties (EU and BMZ).
• Oversee sound implementation of knowledge management, best practice and lessons learned processes and ensure responsiveness and adaptability to new developments or challenges that may arise in the course of implementation of activities.
• Support effective communication and visibility of the Programme and in line with requirements of commissioning parties.
• While the above-mentioned duties and responsibilities are comprehensive, they are not exhaustive, and the Head of Component will also be responsible for performing other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
The ideal candidate for this position brings the below listed qualifications, competencies and experience:

Qualifications:

• At least a Master's Degree in International Relations, Political Science, Development Studies, Management or another relevant field of study.

Professional Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years’ professional work experience in relevant thematic areas of the Programme (conflict prevention and electoral affairs).
• Good knowledge of the (West) African peace and security context with support to an African regional organisation being an important asset.
• A strong ability to conduct policy analysis and contribute to the development of strategic frameworks.
• Effective project management skills and experience managing or working in complex multi-faceted projects.
• Prior experience with the German and/or EU cooperation systems would be an asset.
• Ability to work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary and highly political context.
• Familiarity with gender mainstreaming in peace and security programming.

Other knowledge, additional competences:

• The ability to communicate effectively in a conflict-sensitive manner and engage tactfully and diplomatically with various stakeholders to ensure constructive relationships.
• Digital proficiency including the ability to leverage digital tools, technologies and solutions in both internal processes and in engagement and support of Programme partners.
• Strong writing, reporting and presentation skills.
• Proficient in performance-driven planning monitoring and reporting.
• Resourceful, resilient and with an ability to stay motivated in the face of setbacks or during periods of pressure.
• Self-motivated, performance oriented and with good analytical ability.
• Highly personable and approachable and able to communicate well, building effective rapport with the team and other internal and external stakeholders and partners.
• Solutionist orientation.
• Spoken and written language skills in English will be required. Fluency in French would be an asset.

Salary
According to GIZ salary scale for Band 5