Technical Advisor – Business and Project Development at the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

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 weir as Strategic Management and Organizational Development in the ECOWAS Commission.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Technical Advisor – Business and Project Development

Vacancy No: 028
Location: Abuja
Organization: GIZ Nigeria, SDG Market Building Programme

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 approximately 23,500 employees, almost 70 percent of whom are national personnel, work in a round 120 countries (July 2020)
• GIZ has worked in Nigeria since 1974. From 2004, GIZ has maintained a country office in the capital city Abuja.
• Currently 361 national and 66 international employees, 19 regional staff, 4 integrated specialists and 3 development workers are working in the country (June 2020).

Programme

• Public and private partners working closer together to achieve the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda” – this is the goal of the consulting project “Cooperation with the private sector” of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. GIZ, in turn, works on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
• One of the BMZ’s goals is to achieve a new dimension of cooperation with Africa. The G20 Africa Partnership, the Compact with Africa, and the Marshall Plan with Africa have laid the foundations for this.
• On this basis, it is necessary to sensibly expand the information, promotion and investment protection offers of German Development Cooperation (DC) in order to win more companies for a sustainable commitment in developing and emerging countries.
• The above-mentioned consulting project is dedicated to this development potential by piloting new and innovative approaches at the interface between development policy benefits and entrepreneurial action.
• Among other things, the project focuses on the promotion of development-relevant private investments and access to financing opportunities.
• The objective of the SDG Market Building Program is pursued, among other things, through a work package in the area of project development.

Project Development:

• Identification of project opportunities in the field of Agri-photovoltaic, irrigation, and post-harvest mechanization
• Detailed examination of these opportunities in form of (yield-) Simulations
• Support in the course of project development and marketing of successes

Responsibilities
The position holder is responsible for the below tasks:

• Managing an area of responsibility that forms part of the programme objectives, team agreements and/or agreements with the superior
• Assisting project/programme initiatives to provide professional advisory services to and cooperate with a broad range of target groups
• Advice supervisor on all task when implementing GIZ rules and regulation
• Advice supervisor in the field of project’s planning, steering and monitoring
• Independently implement goals and requirements set by the line manager
• Make decisions which have a short-term effect within a limited project area/ unit
• Assist supervisor to identify day to day problem and suggest appropriate solution

Tasks
In this context, the position holder fulfils the following tasks:
Project Development:

• Compiles information on agriculture and renewable energy markets, the legal framework and business opportunities in Nigeria.
• Proactively builds networks within farmer´s structures, Agroindustry / Agribusiness and identifies project opportunities and future project partners with promising ideas and development potential
• Conducts engineering site audits to collect and verify structural data to the agricultural and economical activities, conduct interviews, observations, and measurements for the preparation of simulations in the fields if irrigation and Agrivoltaic. This might includes site related information like production processes, cultivated crops, mechanisation plans, roof quality and accessibility, availability of roof (orientation and inclination) as well as ground spaces (shading)
• Advising companies on technical and finance implications of the implementation of mechanization, irrigation and RE projects
• Works closely with SDG Country manager in Bonn and third-party consultant in the design of irrigation, RE and mechanisation´s systems and cash-flow modelling in the commercial and industrial sector using selected simulation tools
• Works closely with local banks, auditors and regulatory authorities
• Presentation of results to client (local off-taker) and to brands working with many clients, with the goal to convince the client to option for the proposed system
• Supports the Off takers with the implementation of technical and financial tender processes and evaluation.
• Manages administrative procedures within the GIZ country office, such as contracts with third parties, travel bookings, visa procedures and others

Coordination:

• Plans, coordinates and documents meetings, workshops, seminars and other project activities;
• Organizes, prepares and implements professional information and expert workshops;
• Manages and assists short-term experts / consultants assigned to projects/programmes in completing their tasks (e.g. consultancy for load measurements)
• Compiles an overview of programme activities, deadlines etc. as discussed in team meetings and presents this regularly during the meetings.
• Compiles an overview of other GIZ Programs and further development agencies active in the country and the field of agriculture identifying potential for cooperation

Implementation of Project Activities:

• Implements activities outlined in the existing operation plan and to the satisfaction of SDG and the private partners.
• Assisting in activities in line with the local collaborations with industry associations or agricultural/farmers associations.

Communication, Knowledge Management and Monitoring:

• Represents SDG Nigeria in regional conferences, workshops, seminars and relevant events in collaboration with the project coordinator.
• Prepares PR contributions, identifies appropriate distribution channels in case of significant events, and compiles articles for newsletters.
• Assists with PR work for the program.
• Organises and updates programme documentation in the data management system.
• Continuously updates the local contact database.
• Updates information on project progress, documents and reports regularly on the internal monitoring platform.
• Preparation of reports for all project activities undertaken

Required Qualifications, Competences and Experience
Qualifications:

• University Degree in Agricultural Engineering or related field

Professional Experience:

• At least 5 years of working experience in industry or engineering, preferably in project development, business development, market development, preferably in the agricultural sector and/or energy industry
• Knowledge in the area of irrigation, Post-harvest mechanization, renewable energy and energy efficiency
• In-depth experience in project development (renewables or other industry) is a prerequisite
• Existing network within the farmer´s and other agricultural associations and/or cooperatives and RE and/or EE industry and/or any other Agrobusiness, is a plus

Other Knowledge, Additional Competences:

• Excellent networking skills, incl. interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong organizational competence, administrative and event organization experience is a plus
• Highly motivated to work in a multicultural environment
• Willingness to travel abroad and to project sites across the country
• Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written
• Ability to work well under pressure and must be a strong team player

Salary
According to GIZ Nigeria Salary scale for Band 4.

Application Closing Date
24th March, 2022.