Livelihood Advisor at GIZ Nigeria

Vacancy No: 047

The Project
Social and Economic Participation of Returnees, IDPs and the Host Population in North-East Nigeria (SEPIN):

• On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is implementing the Programme, ‘Social and Economic Participation of Returnees, IDPs and Host Population in North-East Nigeria’ (SEPIN). The main objective of the programme is to improve the economic and social participation of returnees, internally displaced persons, and vulnerable members of host communities in Adamawa State in a gender-responsive way.
• Adopting an integrational approach, the programme contributes to SDGs 1, 2, 5, 10, and 16 in accordance with the ‘leave no one behind’ principle and hopes to complement the humanitarian response to the crisis in the Northeast by going beyond a humanitarian short-term approach and focusing on a more long-term development perspective, through the institutionalization of gender-responsive participatory planning and provision of livelihood support.
• Addressing the situation of IDPs, returnees, and the host population, the Programme is primarily implemented at LGA and community levels to ensure direct benefit for the target groups. Through the Community Development Planning (CDP), the Programme hopes to strengthen the relationships between local communities and community leaders, government institutions, and civil society. Simultaneously, the Programme hopes to build the capacities of local and state governments as well as civil society and community-based organizations for improved service delivery. Alongside the CDPs, the Programme will set up and consolidate spaces and mechanisms where women can meet to engage in dialogue to identify problems, needs, and priorities and voice their concerns to the leadership of their communities.
• The gender and governance interventions will be supported by livelihoods activities in the agricultural sector. Here the focus is on group initiatives, which will give access to markets and improve conditions for economic participation.

Responsibilities

• Under the general guidance of the Head of Component (HoC) Livelihoods, the Livelihoods Advisor ensures development, implementation, and supervision of the activities of the Livelihoods component in Borno State.
• The applicant is also responsible for cooperating with partners to provide professional advisory services to target groups, develop innovative interventions, as well as knowledge management.

Tasks
Coordinating, Reporting, and Knowledge Management:

• In close liaison with the M&E Advisors, support effective impact monitoring and reporting for the Components in line with the requirements of the commissioning parties (EU and BMZ).
• Support effective communication and visibility of the Programme in line with requirements of commissioning parties.
• Ensure the implementation of grant agreements and local contributions with selected partners on livelihood activities within the Economic Participation component of the SEPIN Programme.
• Ensure internal communication and information sharing on component activities with relevant staff such as the Senior Livelihood Advisor to ensure overall operational coordination.
• Draft and share internal monthly, quarterly, and annual reports with relevant colleagues and line manager.
• Ensure appropriate financial and programmatic record-keeping is maintained (bills, vouchers, field visit reports, photos, minutes of meetings, etc.).
• Identify, mitigate, and communicate risks around external stakeholders' engagement, programme strategy, finance, operations, compliance, and environment.
• Assess progress of ongoing activities to support the M&E focal person responsible for monitoring and evaluation of results against indicators to inform project improvements and strategic decisions.
• Maintain and promote good communication with beneficiaries, local and international partners, and government authorities.
• Ensure component and programme visibility through documentation of success stories to maintain and promote good communication with our beneficiaries, local, international partners, and government authorities.
• Network and cooperate with state and local officials and/or administrations and local/national/international NGOs.

Project Implementation, Management, and Cooperation:

• Responsible for the implementation of projects on entrepreneurship, climate-smart practices, green jobs, promotion of agricultural value chains, employment, and income generation initiated by the economic participation component.
• Assist and monitor the development and implementation of activities in close consultation with partners and stakeholders.
• Design, prepare, and execute workshops, seminars, and other events on issues connected with the Livelihoods component’s area of activity.
• Support cooperation, regular contact, and dialogue with partners, assist, and cooperate with local communities, relevant organizations, non-governmental agencies, and individuals to improve and maintain good working relationships.
• Participate in the development of calls for proposals, assessment of partner proposals, and preparation of grant agreements or local contributions.
• Help identify the needs of target groups and participate in formulating action plans.
• Ensure grants monitoring efforts including checking of the quarterly reports/documents of partner(s) before submission to the GIZ headquarters and giving feedback to partners on adjustments needed for correction of reports, ensuring that expenditure tallies with budget provisions.
• Ensure a close follow-up on project implementation and agreed implementation strategy.
• Coordinate and ensure synergies with the Governance, Gender, and Social Protection components of the GIZ-SEPIN according to the overall programme objectives.

Other Duties / Additional Tasks:

• Assist other non-national experts, if necessary, as translator, especially during progress review activities.
• Perform other duties and tasks at the request of management.

Required Qualifications, Competences, and Experience
Qualifications:

• A University Degree in Economics, Agriculture, Social Sciences, Statistics, or similar fields. A Master's degree will be an added advantage.

Professional Experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience (including field experience) in the design and implementation of development programmes focused on Livelihoods, Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, green jobs, and employment, and income generation.
• Clear understanding of livelihood activities: entrepreneurship and climate-smart practices, green jobs and access to financial services; Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs), Micro-Credit and Start-up Kit Schemes, Income Generating Activities (IGAs), Set up of Economic Cooperatives, Cash Transfer Grants, etc.
• A sound understanding of the economic, social, and cultural environment impacting economic participation, especially for women and youths in Northeast Nigeria.
• Experience and familiarity with key political and administrative actors at regional, state, and local levels.
• Knowledge of North-East Nigeria security context – the actors, challenges, current, and previous efforts by state and non-state actors.
• Familiarity with International development and humanitarian actors working in Borno State, including CSOs and CSO networks.

Other Knowledge, Additional Competences:

• Strong spoken, analytical, and writing skills with advanced knowledge of and proficiency in MS Office 365 (MS Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Fluent written and oral knowledge of English. Deep knowledge of Hausa and any other relevant local languages would be an asset.
• Commitment, team spirit, reliability, diplomatic skills, and intercultural understanding.
• Proven human and interpersonal management competencies.
• Innovative problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and cultural competencies (Knowledge of the cultures and traditions of people in the North East of Nigeria).
• Ability to think strategically and drive project implementation.
• Ability to work in a complex and slow-paced environment.

Salary

• According to GIZ salary scale for Band 4.