Technical Advisor, Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship 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
Digital Solutions for Sustainable Development in Nigeria (DTC Nigeria) Programme:

• The Digital Transformation Center Nigeria is a GIZ project that aims to contribute to the improvement of the capacity of the Nigerian economy to implement digital innovations for growth, through supporting the improvement of the digital innovation ecosystem and the digital transformation of the economy and society.
• The project focuses primarily on Digitalization, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Employment. To achieve this, the project works closely with Nigerian actors in the innovation ecosystem such as: National Information and Technology Development Agency, research and academic institutions, innovation hubs, hub networks, start-ups, MSMEs, women, young people, and PwDs.
• The activities focus mainly on capacity building through promoting participatory policy development and implementation, promoting cooperation among digital innovation ecosystem actors, improving availability of digital solutions and digitalization services for MSMEs, and equipping MSMEs with digital business competencies and youth with labour-market relevant ICT skills for employment.

Responsibilities and Tasks

• The Technical Advisor Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship within Output 3 of Digital Transformation Center (DTC) Nigeria, focused on digitalisation, innovation, entrepreneurship and employment will be responsible for the technical implementation of project initiatives aimed to improve availability and adoption of digital solutions for MSMEs.
• The Technical Advisor will facilitate the implementation of, but not limited to the following activities with guidance and support from the Commission Manager:
  • Implement project initiatives to improve existing digital solutions and their availability, (e.g.: identify existing digital solutions and assess they’re suitability for up and out scaling, provide technical and methodological advice to improve and make available the solutions)
  • Promote cooperation between tech start-ups, MSMEs and innovators from business, academia and research (Matchmaking between start-ups, MSMEs and innovators from business, academia and research, leverage relationships with private sector and other eco-systems actors etc. to improve digital solutions’ availability and use)
  • Promote the use of digital solutions for growth by MSMEs, (e.g.: organizational development, identification of gaps and needs, matchmaking, provide support in application of digital solutions for growth)
  • Promote exchange, participation and networking for exchange programmes and alumni networks of start-ups and innovative MSMEs (e.g., between regions, research and academia, and pan-African growth promotion programs) Labour-market relevant, (inter-)nation-ally recognized ICT skill development trainings.
  • Accompanying measures to enhance employment readiness of ICT training graduates.
  • Creation of a talent pool.
  • Support tertiary educational institutions in offering and teaching labour market-relevant skills in the ICT sector.
  • Promotion of strategic partnerships to contribute to existing initiatives at state-level. 

Required qualifications, Competences and Experience
Qualifications:

• Minimum of a University Degree in Economics, Social Sciences, Education, IT, Business Informatics, Agriculture or a related field. A Master’s Degree will be an added advantage.

Professional experience: 

• At least five years of general work experience
• At least two years of professional experience in the field of digital skills and innovation promotion (especially AgTech), support of tech start-ups and MSME, and entrepreneurship.
• Working experience in the field of organizational development, networking and cooperation with the private sector.
• Knowledge of digital modernization in Nigeria and applicable methods/tools in the defined areas.

Other knowledge, additional competences 

• Very good technical understanding of digital technologies.
• Excellent organizational and coordination skills.
• Ability to work independently and in teams, structure tasks, familiarize with new topics quickly and comprehensively.
• High social competence and ability to work in an international team.
• Open minded and ability to engage partners and stakeholders.
• Business fluency in English is vital. Knowledge of local languages would be an advantage.
• Previous experience in working with Government entities and/or international development organisations is an advantage.

Salary
According to GIZ Salary Scale for Band 4 .

Application Closing Date
6th October, 2025.