Project Manager – Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation 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: Project Manager – Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation

Vacancy No: 074
Location: Lagos (with occasional travels to Abuja)
Organization: GIZ Nigeria, GATF

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. Since 2004, GIZ has maintained a country office in the capital city Abuja. Currently, 464 national and regional employees, 66 international employees, 6 integrated experts, and 3 development advisors are working in the country (June 2022).

Programme

• The Global “Alliances for Trade Facilitation” (A4TF) is being implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and focuses on carrying out trade facilitation projects in developing and emerging markets in cooperation with businesses, associations and chambers of industry and commerce, as well as customs authorities and relevant ministries.
• The goal is to streamline and lower the costs of compliance with trade processes within the framework of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. In its trade facilitation projects, the Alliance works together with businesses, governments, and international organizations to create the right environment for trade facilitation reforms that respond directly to the needs of businesses.
• Guided by the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), the Alliance strives to support the creation of opportunities for economic development in emerging and developing countries. In Nigeria, a project to simplify, standardize and harmonize border procedures and formalities is being implemented together with public and private sector partners.
• The project’s intervention in Nigeria currently focuses on implementing Articles 10.1, 8, and 2.2 (Formalities and Documentation Requirements, Border agency cooperation, Consultations respectively) of the TFA.
• The project supports border agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service as the lead border agency, through a wide array of interventions all aimed at achieving reduced cost of compliance with border processes. GIZ intends to hire a project manager to support the implementation of activities under A4TF and all other related aspects of the project.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Ensure day-to-day coordination with project partners and stakeholders to plan and design project implementation;
• Develop and implement project activities with multiple partners from government agencies and private sectors and maintain channels of communication among relevant agencies;
• Work closely with project management to design project activities and propose implementation approaches;
• Update program operational documents periodically, support the monitoring and update of the project’s management online system;
• Ensure proper and timely filing of all project documents (reports, contracts, official letters, etc …) on prescribed electronic and other platforms;
• Provide periodic updates on project activities status of project activities to management and Contribute in the setting up and functioning of project governance structure at the Policy and Operational respectively;
• Prepare reports and technical concepts, letters, memos, etc, on the basis for joint agreements with partners;
• Review reports, documents, working papers, and publications resulting from activities;
• Create and maintain good flow of information with other GIZ projects and relevant donor programs (e.g. USAID, World Bank, FCDO, WEF).
• Support and sustain relevant partnerships within government agencies and the private sector;
• Coordination of key stakeholders towards meeting project goals and stakeholders and contribute to the sustainability of cooperation with key project partners;
• Ensure linkages and regular networking with GIZ Alliances for Trade Facilitation interventions worldwide;
• Draft requests for goods and services ;
• Undertake other tasks as may be required.

Required Qualification and Competencies
Academic Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in International Trade, International Law, Investment, International Economics, Economic Development or similar field.

Professional Experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience in the domain of international trade, trade facilitation, trade policy, trade informational systems, preferably in the context of donor-funded projects;
• Experience conducting one-on-one consultation with relevant trade facilitation related agencies;
• Substantial experience (minimum 3 years) working with trade facilitation related public and private sector agencies in Nigeria;
• Experience in initiating and managing inter-agency coordination;
• Previous experience working with GIZ will be an added advantage.

Other Desirable Requirements:

• Ability to build relationships and maintain professional reputation
• Excellent working knowledge of ICT technologies and computer applications such as MS Office
• Ability to work both independently and in a team
• Willingness to take initiative and assume responsibility
• Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills in English
• Ability to upskill as might become necessary.

Application Closing Date
22nd August, 2022.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and Letter of Motivation as one document with complete contact details to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the email.

Note

• Please include vacancy no. 074 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.