Access to Market and Infrastructure Advisor at GIZ Nigeria

Vacancy Announcement No: 096

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 Access to Market and Infrastructure expert will be responsible for the implementation and coordination of market access and access to infrastructure interventions with special focus on employment creation and strengthening of local organisations, and in accordance with state- and local-level needs and priorities.
• Planning and monitoring of interventions with partners
• Continuing existing and identifying new interventions with focus on increasing employment and incomes
• Supporting local organisations in developing their organisational and service capacities.
• Conducting capacity building measures and managing the implementation of activities through service providers and consultants
• Cooperating with other staff members in SEDIN`s head and field offices.

The Technical Advisor performs the following tasks:
Tasks:

General:
In exchange with the regional and technical team leads the technical expert:

• Reviews and implements access to market and business infrastructure approaches and activities on state level and in selected LGAs and with identified public and private partners with a focus on Plateau State
• Recommends approaches and activities to increase employment and income effects in line with the agreed guidelines.
• Identifies and recommends new access to market and infrastructure improvement interventions that promise increased employment and income effects.
• 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 business infrastructure services and access to markets.
• Supports the capacity development of businesses and business infrastructure suppliers.
• Supervises external short- and long-term experts contracted for technical support.
• Supports increasing capacities to meet formal requirements for market access.
• Supports MSMEs in increasing their 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 particularly of youths and women 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.

Required qualifications, competences, and experience
Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Finance, Economics, Social Sciences, or other relevant degree. Professional experience
• At least 7 years professional experience in areas relevant for market access and business infrastructure development
• Experience with green of business models and the application of renewable energies
• Experience in working with and building the capacity of both MSMEs and government officials in MDAs.
• Experience with digital markets and export promotion for MSMEs
• Experience in supporting change processes.
• Experience in developing business models and with circular economy principles
• Experience in working with the public sector.
• Experience in working with clusters, hubs and physical markets.

Other knowledge, additional competences:

• 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, MS Teams)
• Self-motivated, pro-actives 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.

Salary
According to GIZ salary scale for Band 4.