Embedded Policy Advisor for Agriculture & Climate 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 466 national and 63 international employees, 37 regional staff, 4 integrated specialists and 3 development workers are working in the country (January 2025).

The Project
EU Agriculture Value Chain Facility and Transformative Agricultural Systems for Rural Economic Development (EU-VACE TARED):

• The German Government and the Nigerian Government addressing ongoing challenges in the Agri-Food System in Nigeria.
• The German Government through the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is supporting the Nigerian Government and especially the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in the implementation of Nigeria's National Development Plan 2021-2025 and the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) among others.
• Both strategies highlight the relevance of the agricultural sector in overcoming the economic downturn thereby fostering economic diversification.
• The Agriculture Value Chain Facility (EU-VACE) and Transformative Agricultural Systems for Rural Economic Development (TARED) programme, commissioned by BMZ and co-financed by the European Union seeks to improve sustainable rural economic development by promoting specific agricultural clusters in selected "transition" states in Nigeria.
• The aim is to increase agricultural production, create lucrative employment opportunities and increase the incomes of the rural population thus contributing to food security and strengthening the resilience of the population to external shocks, and at the same time makes an important contribution to the effective transformation of the Nigerian agricultural sector.
• Project activities support existing enterprises to improve the quality and yield of production and subsequent processing also generate opportunities for new businesses to emerge that will lead to sustainable outcomes in the rural economy.
• Inclusive development principles ensure responsible approaches to social and environmental sustainability with a focus on the adoption of practices that are resilient to climate change and which improve biodiversity, and combat desertification and deforestation.
• Improved opportunities for employment, particularly for women and vulnerable groups, are created at all stages of the value chains with a commitment to develop processing facilities reflecting EU standards in decent work and product quality to improve export opportunities.
• The Cluster for Transformation of Agri-Food Systems (TAFS) consists of currently eight GIZ projects, intervening at different levels of the Nigerian and ECOWAS agri-food system to improve the competitiveness of agri-businesses in selected value chains, develop climate-smart innovations and improve access to finance for small agricultural producers and agri-businesses and thus contribute to the transformation of the Nigerian agri-food systems.
• The TAFS cluster's vision of transformation is based on the understanding that current agricultural practices are not fit to feed a growing population with a nutritious diet while respecting planetary boundaries.
• Agri-food systems that feed people well and do not overuse natural resources require a transformation of current practices, regulatory and policy frameworks.

Responsibilities

• As Embedded Policy Advisor of the EU-VACE TARED project, you will be based 60% of your time at the Presidential Food Systems Coordination Unit (PFSCU) and 40 % at the TAFS cluster office.
• While line management rests with the EU-VACE TARED management team, you will support the preparation and implementation of catalytic projects and initiatives at the PFSCU with a particular focus on climate resilience and environmental outcomes of farmers and agri- businesses as well as climate finance for the agricultural sector.
• Furthermore, as a policy advisor of the EU-VACE TARED project, you will support policy initiatives to create an enabling environment for inclusive and climate-sensitive business development in the agricultural sector.
• Furthermore, you will support strategic partnership with public and private sector partners and support ongoing initiatives for sustainable finance and the improvement of the investment ecosystem.

Tasks:
As Embedded Policy Advisor, your will:
Networking and cooperation:

• Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with senior staff of the Feder Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and Federal Ministry of Environment (FME) and other MDAs as well as with leadership at state level.
• Support cooperation, regular contact and dialogue with all relevant partners, and cooperate with relevant organizations, non-governmental agencies in the sector (esp. with a focus on agribusiness development and climate adaptation and mitigation in agriculture) to improve and maintain good working relationships.
• Lead the preparation of publications (such as policy briefs) directed at an expert audience contributing to eminent debates in agri-food system transformation.
• Network proactively with international experts and policy advisors of other GIZ projects and projects of other development partners and use this network proactively for the achievement of the program's and the PFSCU's objectives.
• Represent the program and the cluster towards national and international partners upon request of the project manager or cluster coordinator.
• Represent the PFSCU towards national and international partners upon request of the PFSCU leadership.

Advising partner institutions:

• Advise the PFSCU on fostering effective inter-ministerial cooperation between the Feder Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), the Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning (FMBP) - and specifically its Steering Committee on Food System Transformation as well as with the Federal Ministry of Environment (FME) as well as on effective cooperation with the federal states on agri-food system transformation.
• Assist and monitor the work of the Steering Committee on Food System Transformation under the FMBP in implementing the "National Pathways to Food System Transformation" in close cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and other development partners.
• Provide or facilitate expert advice to decision makers at federal and sub-national level in the areas of (1) inclusive and climate-sensitive agribusiness development, (2) sustainable promotion of selected agricultural value chains, (3) development of the investment ecosystem and sustainable finance for the agricultural sector.

Management & Coordination:

• Coordinate selected catalytic projects at the PFSCU upon request of the PFSCU management.
• Support the annual planning as well as the steering of the EU- VACE TARED program.
• Support the planning, implementation and monitoring of selected activities of the EU-VACE TARED program with a focus on creating an enabling environment for inclusive and climate-sensitive agribusiness development as well as the anchoring of selected innovations and solutions.

Additional tasks:

• Support the program/project manager as well as the Head of the PFSCU with any other tasks that go beyond the scope of this job description.
• Engage in working groups and other collaborative efforts at GIZ.

Required qualifications, Competences and Experience
Qualifications

• University degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Environmental Sciences, or other related fields. A masters degree in a related field will be an advantage.

Professional experience:

• At least 10 years' professional experience in Nigerian agricultural sector (minimum requirement).
• At least 5 years' professional experience in a senior position either in a federal public institution, in a highly recognized private sector association or in comparable position advising or consulting on agricultural policies.
• Proven technical knowledge in the area of climate adaptation and mitigation as well as climate finance (including carbon markets) for the agricultural sector highly preferred.
• Excellent knowledge of the institutional landscape and legal and regulatory framework of the Nigerian agricultural sector, Extensive professional network in the Nigerian agricultural sector and specifically to public institutions.
• At least one proven experience of contributing to the development of a policy/legal document in a leading role,
• A relevant publication record is an asset.
• Proven experience in project management, including budget and staff management.
• Experience in representing projects to political partners and commissioning parties preferred.
• Track record of a high level of cooperation in an international context and strong communication skills with a high tolerance for ambiguity.
• Good diplomatic and intercultural skills and a sound awareness of gender issues.

Salary
According to the GIZ Salary Scale for Band 4.

Application Closing Date
12th September, 2025.