Advisor (m/f) Financial System Development at GIZ Nigeria

As part of the programme on Pro-Poor Growth and Employment Promotion in Nigeria, one of the areas GIZ is working in is financial system development (FSD). In this context, the programme advises and supports the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Insurance Commission on developing and implementing an enabling regulatory environment in the areas of microfinance, microinsurance and consumer protection/responsible finance. This involves providing advisory services and support to refine the relevant regulatory frameworks and improve the capacities of the regulatory bodies.

In addition, the programme cooperates with stakeholders in the private sector to assist them in complying with  the regulatory frameworks and to increase access to finance through improving their operational performance and expand their range of appropriate products and services. To achieve the objective of improved access to finance, the programme supports the different partners in product and organizational development through capacity development and public-private dialogue and exposure to best practice.

The programme also works with commercial financial institutions in the field of financing for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), including value chain finance. In value chain finance the programme focuses on selected value chains in close cooperation with the activities in value chain promotion of one of the programme’s sister units.

Improving basic financial education and consumer protection (responsible finance) is another priority area. The programme collaborates with CBN in the formulation of strategies, guidelines and interventions to develop a framework for responsible finance. On local government level the programme works with a variety of public and private stakeholders to increase the level of financial literacy in the target groups.

The programme operates on federal, state and local level. The focus of this position lies on the federal level. The programme cooperates with selected government bodies and a wide range of stakeholders in the private sector in all areas mentioned above.

Your main duties will involve advising the different stakeholders in the public and private sector on topics of financial system development, ideally with the focus on responsible finance (financial literacy and consumer protection) and microfinance, and supporting the team in the areas of MSME finance, including value chain finance as well as microinsurance). You will be in charge to plan and organize appropriate interventions in the above mentioned areas; this includes the organization of trainings, assignments of consultants including quality control, workshops and networking and information exchange events. In addition, you will support the FSD unit manager and the overall programme management in general project management tasks such as research, monitoring and evaluation, reporting and any other activity related to the programme’s tasks. The position also includes occasional travel to the three partner states of the programme, i.e. Niger, Ogun and Plateau as well as to Lagos.

For the initial period until June 2015, the focus of the assignment will lie on the continuation of already planned and started interventions and activities as well as relationship management with existing partners.

• Academic background: Bachelor/Master degree or equivalent in business administration, economics, finance, social science or related field
• Work experience and technical skills: At least 3 years of professional experience in the financial sector and ideally first experience in the field of development cooperation; working experience in Africa would be an asset; knowledge of policy consulting and advisory services in partner organizations is essential
• Communication: Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with national and international partners
• Teamwork: Strong interpersonal skills and dedication to team work; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and mutual respect
• Management skills: Proven project management skills, perseverance and persuasiveness; ability to work with a minimum of supervision; strong organizational competence
• Language: Excellent command of English (written and oral);knowledge of German would be an asset
• Willingness to travel within Nigeria (in particular Niger, Ogun, Plateau, Lagos States)

as soon as possible (April 2015) - September 2015, with an option to extend the contract