Technical Advisor Policy Development and Cooperation at GIZ Nigeria

Digital entrepreneurship is the driver of digital change in Africa and especially in Nigeria.  Entrepreneurs have the potential to modernize the economies and societies of their countries, to find innovative solutions to development problems, to create new perspectives and employment opportunities. The aim of the project ‘Digital Solutions for Sustainable Development in Nigeria’ is to improve the capacities of the innovation ecosystem for the growth of the digital economy in the following areas - policy implementation, performance improvement of organisations and networks service providers of the digital economy and scalable digital solutions.

The project will focus on the following outputs:

Output 1: Improve cooperation between political actors with those from the private sector, science and research and civil society that are relevant to the innovation ecosystem.

Output 2: Improve collaboration among Nigerian hubs through the fostering and facilitation of synergies that could promote a focused network of ADIHs and thus offer improved services to MSMEs, which will in turn enable them to benefit from digital innovations.

Output 3: Improve existing digital solutions. Through the support of research institutions and pan-African networks, start-ups and innovative MSMEs further develop their digital solutions.

Output 4: Increase women’s skills in using digital solutions and access to resources for economic activities

A.  Responsibilities:

The Technical Advisor for Digital Innovation Policy

While working closely with the Team Lead, other technical advisors, and team members he/she will be mainly responsible for the implementation of Output 1 of the project, as well as supporting the implementation of related activities in other outputs. He or She will manage the following areas of responsibility:

Cooperation with public and private sector

• Supporting the Implementing Partner in the development and implementation of participatory formats of policy making and innovation          promotion,
• Providing strategic guidance and support to political partners in Nigeria on matters related to joint activities and agreed upon collaboration     areas,
• Liaising between the project and the political partner to ensure sustainability in the established partnership,
• Identifying new opportunities to work with other ministries, departments, and agencies in the state and/or federal government.

Supporting the cooperation among Policy and Nigerian ecosystem actors and pan-African hub networks in cooperation.

• Strengthening dialogue and cooperation between policy actors and innovation ecosystem actors,
• Strengthening and supporting hub community networks such as Nigerian’s Innovative Support Network initiatives,
• Provide support for hubs curriculum development and improve services offerings
• Identify networking events including hosting and coordination of policy and hub sharing workshops around different pan-African networks.

Fostering cooperation with other Digital Transformation Centers across Africa (e.g., Ghana; Kenya; Tunisia; Rwanda)

B.   Tasks

The Technical Advisor performs the following tasks:

1.      Advising partner institutions

Assists and monitors the development and implementation of project/programme plans and activities in close consultation and        collaboration with Project Lead and counterparts. This includes:

• Cooperation with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and its subsidiary Office of ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIIE) in the coordination and planning of planned joint activities,
• Close cooperation with the National Coordinator of OIIE as well as the staff of the technical team during the planning, implementation, and monitoring of joint activities,
• Cooperation with public and private stakeholders such as OIIE and local innovation hubs on joint activities.
• Develops and organises quality assurance measures and suggests  necessary changes, improvements, and initiatives.
• Promotes the application of participatory planning methods and design  thinking methodology, the inclusion of civil society, the empowerment  of women and the consideration of the interests of minorities.

2.      Provide technical input and administer the programme implementation in the field

• Provide technical advisory support to team members and partners in the development and implementation of workplans and activities.
• Is responsible for developing technical documents e.g., concept notes and Terms of References in his/her domain.
• Is responsible for quality assurance of programme activities within geographical coverage of assignment.
• Contributes technical documents’ creation and use by other team members and in other project domains.
• Provide technical advisory support to team members and partners in the development and implementation of workplans and activities.
• Overseeing consultant objectives and ensuring that deliverables are  submitted and are in accordance with contract timelines and   requirements included in the ToR.
• Work with administration and finance team to ensure the smooth implementation of project activities pertaining to the defined area of   responsibility.
• Is responsible for quality assurance of programme activities within assigned areas with respect to of GIZ quality standards.

3.      Development and Management of Strategic Stakeholder Relationships

• Supports cooperation, regular contact and dialogue with partners, local communities, relevant organisations, non-governmental agencies, other GIZ projects and individuals in the project/programme environment; builds up a professional network of relevant actors and   maintains good working relationships.
• Supports by facilitating and advising Programme Management and Country Office visits, engagements, and communication with partners   in the regions.
• Deals with the design, preparation and implementation of workshops, seminars and other events on issues connected with the       project/programme’s area of activity (identify local events, organize,   and hold own events).
• Online and offline communication on project related activities, including showcasing good examples.
• Cooperates closely with tandems of development workers and regional advisors in other regions.

4.      Knowledge management, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Ensures knowledge transfer and sharing with other   project/programmes working on similar topics.
• Develops ready-to-use strategies and technical concepts, including  guidelines, manuals, and procedures.
• Reviewing the project’s operational plan periodically to ensure that    activities in nigeria are meeting specified outputs in line with the        project’s indicators.
• Assists with research activities and studies which benefit joint programmes
• Monitoring and evaluation of implemented measures .

C. Required qualifications, competences and experience

Qualifications

Minimum of University degree in an area that is related to the project/programme objectives (e.g., communications, economics, political science, social science, education, IT, business informatics or a similar subject). Masters in the relevant field will also be an advantage.

Professional experience

• Minimum of Five years of general work experience.
• Minimum of two years of professional experience in policy development and/or implementation.
• Minimum of two years of professional experience and communication, network management and cooperation with the public and private sector.
• Working experience in the field of digital innovation or skills (e.g., AgTech).
• Extensive knowledge of digital modernization in Nigeria and of the West African digital start-up eco-system.

Skills, competencies and other knowledge

• Very good technical understanding of digital technologies.
• Knowledge of Start-up and MSME promotion and entrepreneurship.
• 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.
• Previous experience in working with Government entities and/or international development organisations is an advantage.