Graduate Opportunities at The German Agency for International Cooperation

The Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (German Agency for International Cooperation) is an international enterprise owned by the German Federal government, operating in many fields across more than 130 countries.

In Nigeria, GIZ’s portfolio includes among others a programme to support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in its regional integration goals. The programme aims to strengthen sector-specific capacities in the areas of Peace and Security, Customs and Trade as well as Strategic Management and Organizational Development in the ECOWAS Commission.

We are recruiting to fill the positions below:

Job Title: Administrative Officer
VA No: 127
Location: Abuja
Organization: GIZ Nigeria – Green Innovation Centre (GIAE)

Background

• 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 19,506 employees, almost 70 percent of whom are national personnel, work in around 120 countries (December 2017).
• GIZ has worked in Nigeria since 1974. From 2004, GIZ has maintained a country office in the capital city Abuja. Currently 280 national and 51 international employees and 4 integrated specialists are working in the country (as of 31.12.2018).

Context
Green Innovation Centre (GIAE):

• The Special Initiative One World No Hunger has been launched 2014 by the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development BMZ with the objective to increase food security and combat poverty. Under the Special Initiative, the Global Program Green Innovation Centre for the Agriculture and Food Sector (GIAE) aims to increase the productivity and income of smallholders by promoting the market-oriented development of agricultural value chains. The Global Program places focus on the identification and fostering of innovations, dissemination of know-how and technology solutions and skills upgrading.

Responsibilities
The incumbent will be responsible for:

• Supporting the project finance and inventory management in line with GIZ rules and standards
• Handling the procurement of goods and services in line with GIZ rules and standards
• Office management

Tasks
Finance and accounting:

• Supports the project accounting and ensures that expenditures are in accordance with endorsed budget
• Monitors the project receivables and ensures timely settlement
• Monitors project supplies and consumables and ensure proper use.
• Handles the bank transaction posting, reconciliation and settlement of pending transactions (receivables and tax liabilities)
• Supports preparation for internal control and ensures the financial documents are prepared in accordance with GIZ rules and regulations.
• Handles the project inventory management and undertakes checks to ensure the project assets are in good use

General administration:

• Handles project procurement of goods and services at the project level
• Supports project logistics (travels, trainings, workshops etc) and visa processes
• Office management (effective functioning of office equipment, regular data backup and efficient use of project assets – stock control and fuel consumption)
• Liaise with GIZ country office for the project procurement and contract processes
• Monitors appraisers and consulting firms contracts and ensures timely presentation of final invoices
• Checks contract invoices for consultants for correctness before payment or submission to the country office

Other duties:

• Liaise with risk management office (RMO) as the project security focal person on issues on security, overland travels and monitoring charts
• Assume other tasks at the request of management.

Required Qualifications, Competencies and Experience
Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Accounting, Business Administration, Economics or related courses.

Experience:

• At least 3 years of professional working experience in a similar position
• Broad experience in financial and administrative management
• Previous GIZ experience is an asset.

Skills and competencies:

• Excellent management, administrative and multi-tasking skills
• Good working knowledge of MS-Office, particularly Outlook, Word and Excel
• Good working knowledge of modern telecommunication systems (telephone, e-mail, internet, phone conferences, skype) and related software.
• Excellent communication skills
• Social skill and good team player

Salary
Band 4

Job Title: Administrative Assistant
VA No.: 128
Location: Abuja
Organization: GIZ Nigeria – Green Innovation Centre (GIAE) 75% / Agricultural Finance (AgFin) 25%

Background
GIZ. Working together for change

• 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 19,506 employees, almost 70 per cent of whom are national personnel, work in around 120 countries (December 2017).
• GIZ has worked in Nigeria since 1974. From 2004, GIZ has maintained a country office in the capital city Abuja. Currently 280 national and 51 international employees and 4 integrated specialists are working in the country (as of 31.12.2018).

Context: Green Innovation Centre (GIAE)

• The Special Initiative One World No Hunger has been launched 2014 by the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development BMZ with the objective to increase food security and combat poverty. Under the Special Initiative, the Global Program Green Innovation Centre for the Agriculture and Food Sector (GIAE) aims to increase the productivity and income of smallholders by promoting the market oriented development of agricultural value chains.
• The Global Program places focus on the identification and fostering of innovations, dissemination of know-how and technology solutions and skills upgrading

Context: Agricultural Finance (AgFin)

• The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany, under its special initiative “One World – No Hunger” (SEWOH), has commissioned German Development Cooperation (GIZ) with the implementation of the Global Programme “Promotion of agricultural finance for agri-based enterprises in rural areas” (AgFin) – Nigeria country module. AgFin aims at bridging the gap between the specific financial needs of the agricultural sector (demand side) and the insufficient provision of financial services for the agricultural sector on the supply side.
• In a concerted approach that combines interventions on the ‘demand’ and ‘supply’ side, the main objective of the AgFin is to improve the supply of farms and Agri-based enterprises with financial services adapted to their business models.

Responsibilities

• The incumbent will responsible for:
• Providing administrative support for the office.
• Handling the project cash accounting
• Providing logistics for meetings and events.
• Within this context, s/he fulfils the following tasks:

Tasks
Administration:

• Provides general administrative supports (Printing, copying and scanning of documents) for the GIZ-GIAE and AgFin projects
• Filing documents according to GIZ filing system
• Supports the periodic inventory checks and rebelling of the projects assets
• Supports the day to day office management for the two projects

Finance and Accounting:

• Handles the cash payments and reconciliation for the two projects
• Handles cash posting for the two projects and settlement of pending cash transactions (travel advance etc)
• Handles the filing of accounting/voucher folders according to GIZ filing system
• Supports preparation for internal control for the two projects
• Checks travel advance and travel claim for correctness before payment or submission to country office

Logistics and event management:

• Assists in the preparation of workshop/event materials, agenda, attendance and provide admin support during project events
• Handles the project travel arrangements and liaise with country office travel & logistics unit as the projects travel focal person on issues on travels and visa processing

Other Duties/Additional Tasks:

• The Admin Assistant fulfils any other duty as requested by management

Required Qualifications, Competences and Experience
Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance or any other Social Science courses

Experience:

• Not more than 3 years of professional working experience in a similar position
• Previous GIZ experience is an asset

Skills and Competencies:

• Good office management and administrative skills
• Good communication skill,
• Strong multi-tasking skill
• Good working knowledge of MS-Office, particularly Outlook, Word and Excel
• Good working knowledge of modern telecommunication systems (telephone, e-mail, internet, phone conferences, skype) and related software

Salary
Band 2

Job Title: Programme Coordinator and Policy Advisor
VA No. 123
Location: Jos, Plateau
Organization: GIZ Nigeria SEDIN Programme
Duration of contract: Asap – 03/2022

Background

• GIZ. Working together for change
• 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 19,506 employees, almost 70 per cent of whom are national personnel, work in around 120 countries (December 2017).

Pro-poor Growth and Promotion of Employment in Nigeria (SEDIN) Programme

• SEDIN 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 and income situation of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) through four components. The “Access to Finance” component strengthens the supply of financial services and builds the financial capabilities of clients. The “Private Sector Development” component improves access to business services, strengthens entrepreneurial skills and addresses key barriers to business. Both components work at the national level as well as in the three focus states Ogun, Plateau and Niger.
• The “Nigeria Competitiveness Project” is an EU-financed component that focuses on selected value chains in Ogun, Oyo, Lagos, Plateau and Kaduna. The “Migration and Reintegration” component aims at improving the employment situation of returning and potential migrants, with a special focus on Lagos and Edo States.

Responsibilities & Tasks

• The advertised position will be responsible coordinating programme activities in Plateau State as well as for supporting the Plateau State Government in developing and implementing policies that promote local economic development (LED), MSME development and employment creation.

Responsibilities:

• Planning, steering, coordinating and monitoring of programme activities in in the State, and reporting of results to the programme manager in charge
• Supporting the State Government in improving policy and policy implementation where relevant for LED, MSME development and employment creation
• Supporting the Project Management and Result Delivery Office (PMRDO) of the State Government, and building the capacity of its staff
• Cooperating with the private sector to advocate improving the Business Enabling Environment (BEE)
• Cooperating with other advisors in supporting the development and institutionalization of LED, business and employment support services

Tasks:

• Cooperate closely with the State Government and other partners, and network with all relevant stakeholders
• In close cooperation with stakeholders, plan programme activities and annual budget requirements
• Monitor the implementation of programme activities and report results to the programme manager in charge.
• Contribute to the knowledge management and communication of the programme.
• Manage consultants and project visits.
• Participate in programme management and team meetings.
• Review policies and identify policy gaps relevant for LED, MSME development and employment creation. Review the implementation of these policies and identify implementation constraints. Elaborate proposals for improving the promotion of LED, employment and BEE.
• Propose policy and policy implementation improvements to the State Government and Legislature.
• Assess the feasibility to further develop or establish new institutionalized forms of LED, business development and employment promotion.
• Support strengthening the governance and capacities of organisations that support the promotion of LED, MSME development and employment, including of the Plateau State Microfinance Development Agency (PLASMIDA)
• Support strengthening relevant industry associations and interest/advocacy groups
• Facilitate Public Private Dialogues and knowledge exchanges
• Cooperate closely with other GIZ staff and projects
• Assist with other GIZ activities as required.

Required Qualifications, Competences and Experience
Qualification:

• Minimum of Master of Arts, MBA or other relevant degree

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years professional experience in promoting economic development, business development and employment
• Experience in working with State Governments and Legislature at the policy making level
• Experience in organizational analysis and development
• Experience in advisory capacities

Other experiences and skills:

• Ability to work independently and without supervision.
• Ability to work in team and experience with working across borders, with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to manage project timelines, processes and tasks effectively
• Self-motivated, pro-active approach in identifying and promoting innovative approaches
• Impeccable presentation, verbal and written communication skills in English.

Salary
Band 4

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their CV and letter of motivation as one document with complete contact details via email to: hr-nigeria@giz.de Please include vacancy no.127 in mail subject.
Note: GIZ Nigeria is an equal opportunity employer; both men and women are encouraged to apply.  Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Application Deadline 26th December, 2019.