Vacancy Announcement
VA No. 102
Job Title: Technical Advisor (Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship promotion)
Min. qualification: University degree in an area that is related to the defined area of responsibility (e.g., economics, political science, social science, education, IT, business informatics, agriculture or a similar subject), equivalent to BA/BSc or MBA
Organization: GIZ Nigeria, Digital Solutions for Sustainable Development Programme
Place: Lagos State
Salary: According to GIZ Nigeria Salary scale for Band 4
Closing Date of advert 03.01.2022
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: 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 organizations 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 and scale out their digital solutions.
Output 4: Increase women’s skills in using digital solutions and access to resources for economic activities
Responsibilities & tasks: A. Responsibilities:
The Technical Advisor for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship promotion
While working closely with the Coordinator for Digital Skills and other technical advisors and team members and he/she will be mainly responsible for the implementation of Output 3 of the project, as well as supporting the implementation of related activities in other outputs:
Manage the following main areas of responsibility
- 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 ecosystems 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 panAfrican growth promotion programs)
B. Tasks
The Technical Advisor performs the following tasks:
- Implementation of Output 2: Improve existing digital solutions and their availability
• Develops, implements and monitors of project/programme plans and activities in his/her designated competencies in close consultation and collaboration with Project Lead, coordinator and counterparts. These include, among others:a) Participatory identification of partners and existing solutions to be scaled up and out.b) Advising partner digital innovation ecosystem actors (MSME, tech start-ups, hubs, research and academia on digital innovation, scaling methods, organizational development, entrepreneurship and digital innovation.
c) Fostering cooperation and exchange with partners and other ecosystem actors such as Innovation Hubs, in the implementation of agreed upon activities
d) cooperation with public and private stakeholders and partners/beneficiaries 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.
Provide technical input and implement project/programme activities in the field
• Provide professional technical advisory services to beneficiaries and partners, and project partners.
• 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
• Overseeing consultant objectives and ensuring that deliverables are submitted and are in accordance with contract timelines and requirements included in the Terms of References (ToR)
• Contributes technical documents’ creation and use by other team members and in other project domains
• 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- Development and Management of Strategic Stakeholder Relationships
• Supports cooperation, regular contact and dialogue with Innovation Hubs and relevant partners and beneficiaries, 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 organising, facilitating and advising Programme Management and Country Office visits, engagements and communication with partners
• Designs, prepares and implements workshops, seminars and other events on issues connected with the domain and contributes to the same for other project areas (identify local events, organize and hold own events)
• Online and offline communication on assigned project related activities, including showcasing good examples
- Knowledge management, Monitoring and Evaluation
• Ensures knowledge transfer and sharing with other project/programmes working on similar topics
• Develops and contributes to the development of ready-to-use strategies and technical concepts, and capitalisation documents • Reviewing the project’s operational plan periodically to ensure that activities in the output are implemented on time and in line with the project’s indicators
• Assists with research activities and studies which benefit joint programmes
• Monitoring and evaluation of implemented measures - Executing other tasks as required by the Project Lead
C. Required qualifications, competences and experience
Qualifications
• University degree in an area that is related to the defined area of responsibility (e.g., economics, political science, social science, education, IT, business informatics, agriculture or a similar subject), equivalent to BA/BSc or MBA
Professional experience
• Minimum of four years of general work experience
• Minimum of 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
Desired additional qualifications, competences and experience
• 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
Submission Guideline: You are kindly requested to submit your CV and letter of motivation as one document with complete contact details via email to: [email protected]
(Please include vacancy no. 102 in mail subject)
GIZ is an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity. All qualified candidates, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, race and religion are encouraged to apply.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
