Advisor on Business and Investment Climate at GIZ Nigeria

Field of activity
Despite strong growth rates, the economic and social situation in Nigeria remains dominated by extreme poverty and un(der)employment. Because attention is concentrated on the oil and gas industry at the expense of other economic sectors, many people work in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the informal sector. The lack of a conducive operating environment and limited access to resources and markets are hindering their development. Against this backdrop, the programme pursues the following objective: 'The framework conditions for MSMEs to engage in their business and investment activities are improved and they have better access to resources and markets.' To achieve this objective, the programme is implementing activities in four areas: Developing the financial system, improving the business and investment climate, promoting value chains and facilitating trade. The programme operates at national level, in three federal states (Niger, Plateau and Ogun) and in selected Local Government Areas in these states. It promotes exchange and synergies between these three levels.

Your tasks
As advisor, you will be responsible for planning, implementing and coordinating activities in the area of 'improving the business and investment climate' in the programme's three partner states, i.e on the state level. This will involve the following tasks:

•     Cooperating with partners at state level, e.g. ministries, parliaments and other strategic units, providing specialist advice on implementing reforms (tax at state level) and setting up public-private dialogue platforms and one-stop shops, etc.;
•     Advising on and implementing capacity development measures for private sector lobby groups at federal state level to enable them to assert their rights more effectively and engage in dialogue with the public sector ;
•     Cooperating with partners in the field of improving the general conditions for economic activity, for example on the cross-cutting issues of tax, lobby groups and other programme modules;
•     Cooperating with other donor-financed programmes working to improve the business and investment climate (e.g. DFID and World Bank);
•     Contributing to reporting and results monitoring.

Your profile
You have preferably an economics degree and advanced specialist expertise in improving the business and investment climate and promoting local and regional economic development and SMEs. You have several years of professional experience in development cooperation, preferably in Africa, and will ideally be able to promote cooperation in an interdisciplinary team.

Your personal strengths include excellent management, advisory and communication skills and a high level of intercultural sensitivity. These enable you to reconcile and mediate between different interests in a demanding political environment. You are a team player and capable of working under pressure. In your dealings with others you are respectful, credible and assured. An excellent command of English is essential and (very) good German skills would be an advantage.

Assignment period
We would like you to start as soon as possible. The contract will run up to March 2017.

What we offer you
With an international remit and a multicultural working atmosphere, we are successful because we share knowledge across disciplinary frontiers. Your professional and personal development is important to us. Whether it is the multifacetted day-to-day challenges in one of our partner countries or the considerable scope for applying creativity in your work - there are plenty of good reasons to join our motivated team

You will be required to travel regularly to the three federal states in which the programme operates.
Medical care is available in Abuja, where, among other doctors, there are three German general practitioners.