Job Title: Technical Advisor for Agricultural Finance
Min. qualification: Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Agricture Finance, Micro-Finance or related field
Organization: GIZ Nigeria, AgFin
Place: Abuja.
Salary: According to GIZ salary scale for Band 4
Closing Date of advert 14.07.2021
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. In 2019, we generated a business volume of around EUR 3.1 billion. Our 22,199 employees, almost 70 per cent of whom are national staff, work in around 120 countries. As a recognised development service provider, we currently have 556 development workers in action in partner countries. Furthermore, in 2019, the Centre for International Migration and Development (CIM), which is run jointly by GIZ and the German Federal Employment Agency, placed 262 integrated experts and 515 returning experts with local employers in our partner countries, or provided them with financial support, advice or other services.
Personnel and business figures as at 31 December 2019
Programme:
The global project AgFin in Nigeria aims to improve the provision of financial services to agricultural and agri-based enterprises in rural areas that are tailored to their business models. The project is closely linked to the global project "Green Innovation Centres in the Agricultural and Food Sector (GIAE)" and cooperates with the regional project "Competitive African Rice Initiative" (CARI) as well as the bilateral project "Pro-poor Growth and Promotion of Employment in Nigeria Programme" (SEDIN). Part of the project implementation is carried out by a contracted consulting firm.
The project is part of the One World – No Hunger Initiative. It provides training to enterprises in the agriculture sector supporting these enterprises in acquiring business management and financial skills The project also advises and supports the expansion of financial institutions into the agricultural sector and assists them with developing adapted financial services. This process is based on business models the project has identified as viable. Particular attention is paid to the needs of businesses owned by women and young people. Innovations that promote the environmentally aware transformation of agricultural systems receive special attention. The project is operating in a total of 11 states, namely Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, CrossRiver and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The project supports agricultural institutions, advisory services and their educational organisations in sustainably mainstreaming the knowledge products developed by the project. It also makes analysis and training tools available to other projects, and shares its experience of implementation.
Responsibilities & tasks:
A. Responsibilities The Technical Advisor for Agricultural Finance will support the Project Coordinator in the coordination and implementation of the activities of the project in Nigeria in close collaboration with the implementing consulting firm (AFC), other GIZ programmes in Nigeria, GIZ Country Office and the steering unit of the GP, as well as partners such as the Federal/State Governments, other international organizations and the private sector.
Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator the Technical Advisor will:
▪ Support the project coordinator in overseeing the technical implementation of activities
▪ Conduct specific tasks in connection to development of agricultural finance products
▪ Provide technical support for improving the training approaches
The technical advisor performs the following tasks:
B. Tasks
In close coordination with the technical team of the implementing consulting firm AFC the technical expert will:
▪ Ensure effective implementation and provide technical guidance to the project in close cooperation with AFC team
▪ Acts as a liaison officer with partners from the public and private sector
▪ Liaise with selected partner institutions to institutionalize training approaches
▪ Support in identifying business cases in the agricultural sector which can be supported by the project and its partners
▪ Support in identifying new and innovative financing services, in particular regarding the use of digital services, insurance and public financing schemes ▪ Contribute to the assessment of potentials in linking environmental aspects to financial services in Nigeria
▪ Support in identifying training needs and knowledge gaps of the respective target groups
▪ In collaboration with the AFC team adapt existing training materials and develop new formats for the context of Nigeria based on the needs of the target group
▪ Facilitate trainings and workshops related to capacity building measures for partners and the target group
▪ Coordinate local consultancies and procurements as part of the project activities in the value chains with specific focus on entrepreneurship and business development
▪ Assist with overall planning, coordinating and implementation of GIZ programme activities
▪ Provides input to project monitoring and evaluation methodology and design
▪ Review of reports from local and international consultants
▪ Assist in ensuring synergies with other projects both within GIZ and other donors in Nigeria
Perform other duties and tasks at the request of the Project Coordinator
Required
qualifications, competences and experience: C. Required qualifications, Competences and experience
Qualifications
• Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Agriculture Finance, Micro-Finance or related field
Other knowledge, additional competences.
▪ Strong oral and written communication skills
▪ Ability to communicate adequately with interdisciplinary/multi-institutional teams (units/research organizations, NGOs and Governmental agencies, farmers, their organizations, and donors)
▪ Team player and constructive attitude responding positively to critical feedback and differing points of view
▪ Advanced working knowledge of ICT technologies (related software, phone, fax, email, the internet) and computer applications (e.g. MS Office)
▪ Developed attitude and awareness of service delivery
▪ Personal integrity and accountability
▪ Positive, collaborative and constructive attitude to people and work.
▪ Composed and good humoured even under pressure
▪ Open to change and ability to manage complexities
▪ Previous working experience with GIZ is an advantage
▪ Knowledge of local Nigerian languages of the project regions is an asset
Professional Experience ▪ At least 5 years of professional working experience in a similar position
▪ Broad experience in the promotion of agriculture value chains and agriculture finance through integrated approaches in capacity development and business
development/financial inclusion
▪ Experience in planning, monitoring and evaluation in the agricultural sector is an added 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. 057 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
