Technical Advisor – Electoral Affairs 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 – Electoral Affairs

VA No: 084
Location: Abuja
Organization: GIZ Nigeria, ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture and
Operations Programme (EPSAO)

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 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

Since 2006, GIZ through the commissioning and funding of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) implemented the “Support Programme to the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)”.
The Programme was aimed at strengthening the Commission in executing its core mandate of facilitating economic and political integration. GIZ support has had a focus in three principal areas including; 1) Organisational Development, 2) Trade and Customs, and 3) Peace and Security in which the Programme supported the strengthening of sector-specific expertise as well as strategic planning and management structures, capacities and processes.
Presently, GIZ implements the “ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture and Operations” (EPSAO) Project with co-funding from the European Union (EU) and the BMZ. The main objective of the project is to support ECOWAS in the prevention and management of conflict and security threats in West Africa.
There are five strategic areas of focus for the project: the strengthening of ECOWAS mechanisms for the promotion and maintenance of peace, stability and post crisis operations; enabling ECOWAS to manage emerging or existing conflicts; contributing to the creation of a secure and safe post conflict environment; and promoting peaceful, fair, transparent and inclusive electoral processes in West Africa.
Since September 2022, the BMZ-funded module “Supporting the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC)” has been integrated into the EPSAO module and serves to further strengthen the regional training infrastructure.

Responsibilities and Tasks
Responsibilities:

The Technical Advisor – Electoral Affairs will be located within the GIZ EPSAO Project Office and will support the planning, implementation and monitoring of technical measures related to regional electoral assistance processes

Tasks:

Under the supervision of the Head of the Conflict Prevention and Elections Components, the Advisor will undertake the following roles and functions:
Provide strategic and technical guidance and policy advice to the partner organisation for the enhancement of electoral assistance processes and in line with international best practice and standards
Support and accompany the efforts of the Embedded Technical Expert – Electoral Affairs – so as to ensure the effectiveness of GIZ EPSAO’s support to the ECOWAS Commission’s electoral affairs work from a project management perspective.
Support the fostering of dynamic partnerships with key stakeholders at the regional and national levels including civil society, youth actors, media, development and other partners
Support coordination and oversight of work implemented by Project grant recipients
Provide context analysis and technical briefs and research, develop and deliver presentations, prepare various forms of documentation (e.g., background papers, knowledge products and others) as may be required.
Provide support to implementation of key recommendations of election observation and post-election follow up reports to strengthen the work of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) in ECOWAS Member States.
Support effective coordination with other implementing organisations and donor agencies working towards enhancing electoral assistance processes in West africa to harmonise areas of support and avoid duplication.
Collaborate closely with the Conflict Prevention Component and provide advice on processes and activities that will ensure gender mainstreaming measures in the electoral support work of the EPSAO Project as well as in the plans and activities of the ECOWAS Electoral Affairs Division.
Ensure visibility of GIZ’s support for regional electoral processes.
Support knowledge building and lessons learned processes with respect to regional electoral assistance processes.

Programmatic implementation and planning:

Support the day-to-day operational activities and functions of the GIZ EPSAO Elections Component in close consultation with the Head of Components Conflict Prevention and Elections, and the Embedded Technical Expert – Electoral Affairs
Provide support for development of/ adjustments to operational plans and budgets and ensure inline implementation.
Provide administrative and logistical support for activity implementation including for mission deployments.
Ensure consistent implementation of GIZ and EU guidelines.
Perform other project-related duties and functions as may be directed.

Required Qualifications, Competencies and Experience
Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in International Relations, Law, Political Science, Social Science or other related field of study.

Professional Competencies and Experience:

At least seven (7) years’ experience working in the areas of peacebuilding, democracy and governance, conflict prevention or other related field.
Experience working on electoral assistance processes will be a strong added advantage
Post conflict or developing country experience especially in the West African region would be highly valuable
A good understanding of the African peace and security landscape and especially the ECOWAS region – with an established network.
Experience working for an international organisation will be highly desirable as will experience working or engaging with national actors (including governments, civil society and other).
Other Knowledge and Additional Competencies:
Experience in conflict resolution management and technical competence on electoral issues and needs.
Experience with electoral observation processes (including field experiences) will be a strong asset as will familiarity with ECOWAS electoral assistance work
Ability to work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary, and highly political context
Ability to apply technical expertise towards ensuring quality support and advice to the political partner on electoral processes
Excellent diplomacy and persuasion skills with a high sense of integrity and transparency
Good knowledge and understanding of results-based planning, monitoring, and reporting
Impeccable writing, reporting and presentation skills.
Strong organisational and project management skills
A good analytical ability
Spoken and written language skills in English is required for this position. Working knowledge of the French language will be a strong added advantage.
Knowledge of the ECOWAS region and established contacts to relevant actors is regarded as an asset.