Communications Specialist at GIZ Nigeria

GIZ NigeriaOyo, Nigeria Design, Graphics and Media

Full Time

International cooperation between Germany and Nigeria commenced in 1974. GIZ was initially represented by an office in Lagos until 2003, but since 2004 it has maintained a country office and four project offices in the new capital Abuja. At present, GIZ has around 25 seconded staff, 100 Nigerian and regional experts, and four CIM experts working in Nigeria. Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and has a population of 175 million, making it the continent’s most populous country. With a young, highly motivated and growing population, abundant natural resources and an increasingly diversified economy, Nigeria is not only a regional power but also an increasingly significant political player on the African continent and in the world. However, Nigeria faces major challenges. So far, its substantial oil revenues have had little impact on poverty. More than two-thirds of the population still live in extreme poverty and unemployment remains high. Sustainable economic and social development is hampered by corruption and by regional, ethnic, religious and social differences and the associated conflicts, which sometimes lead to attacks and unrest. As agreed between the Nigerian and German Governments, GIZ’s activities since 2002 have focused on sustainable economic development. GIZ is also engaged in the energy sector, agriculture and regional integration. The 'Pro-poor Growth and Employment Promotion in Nigeria’ (SEDIN) programme aims to increase income-generating employment in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and improve access to financial services. The programme is currently being implemented in Abuja and in Niger, Ogun and Plateau states. The Nigerian and German Governments also cooperate in the energy sector. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ provides advisory services to Nigerian partners on topics such as rural electrification, energy efficiency and renewable energies, and is contributing to the success of the Nigeria-German Energy Partnership (NGEP) as well. GIZ provides support to the ECOWAS Commission (Economic Community of West African States) in Abuja, focusing on the management, implementation and monitoring of ECOWAS decisions on economic and trade policy, and peace and security. In addition, two regional programmes focusing on agriculture are under way in Nigeria. The first aims to promote African rice value chains; the second builds the capacities of market-oriented small-scale farming. The purpose of both programmes is to achieve sustainable improvements in the livelihoods and food security of poor farmers in Nigeria and other West African countries. A distinctive feature of GIZ’s activities in Nigeria is the high level of cofinancing obtained from other sources, primarily the European Union (EU) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These additional funds make it possible to broaden the scope and intensity of the programmes being implemented on behalf of the BMZ, boosting the effectiveness of German development cooperation with Nigeria.

Vacancy No: 045

The Project
Cluster for Transformation of Agri-Food Systems (TAFS):

The TAFS cluster consists of currently seven GIZ projects, intervening at different levels of the Nigerian and ECOWAS agri-food system to improve the competitiveness of agri-businesses in selected value chains, develop climate-smart innovations and improve access to finance for small agricultural producers and agri-businesses and thus contribute to the transformation of the Nigerian agri-food systems.
The project Transformative Agricultural Systems for Rural Economic Development financed by BMZ and the European Union co-financed project Agriculture Value Chain Facility (EU-VACE) seek to improve sustainable rural economic development by promoting specific agricultural clusters in selected "transition" states in Nigeria.
The aim is to increase agricultural production, create lucrative employment opportunities and increase the incomes of the rural population thus contributing to food security and strengthening the resilience of the population to external shocks, and at the same time makes an important contribution to the effective transformation of the Nigerian agricultural sector. Project activities support existing enterprises to improve the quality and yield of production and subsequent processing and also generate opportunities for new businesses to emerge that will lead to sustainable outcomes in the rural and blue economy.
Inclusive development principles ensure responsible approaches to social and environmental sustainability with a focus on the adoption of practices that are resilient to climate change and which improve biodiversity, combat deforestation. Improved opportunities for employment, particularly for women and vulnerable groups, are created at all stages of the value chains with a commitment to develop processing facilities reflecting EU standards in decent work and product quality to improve export opportunities.

Responsibilities & Tasks
Responsibilities:

The communication specialist is responsible for:
Developing and implementing a communication strategy and plan for the cluster with support of the cluster communications working group.
Ensuring the quality of cluster publications and communication materials and their adherence to GIZ’s/the commissioning party’s guidelines, rules and corporate design.
Support the cluster management in the preparation of press releases and any public relations activities.
Coordination and contractualization of external service providers in the area of printing, photography etc.
Develop communication materials for the cluster projects, esp. for the smaller country measures without dedicated communication staff such as ClimA or CORE.

Tasks:

Support of the development and steering of implementation of communication and visibility plan for the cluster.
Implement innovative and effective communication strategies (including artificial intelligence (AI) within the scope of GIZ’s policy on the use of AI technologies).
Develop concepts and tools for internal and external communication, including the effective presentation of images, videos and communication materials in the cluster office.
Coordinate photography and ensure visibility and visual documentation for all activities by cluster.
Coordinate and ensure that cluster communication outputs are published and distributed widely among stakeholders.
Support editing and proofreading of articles, publications and ensure consistency in design of publications & use AI other technologies within the scope of GIZ’s policy on the use of (AI) technologies).
Develop communication materials in the form of articles, social media posts, project, briefs, newsletters, success stories, project information leaflets, factsheets, project presentation templates, etc. esp. for the smaller country measures without dedicated communication staff such as ClimA or CORE.
Manage vendor, consultants and ensure guidelines are adopted.
Maintain the list of possible suppliers from the printing sector, creation of websites, etc.
Manage all communication materials (factsheets, roll-ups, banners etc.) internally and ensure availability for dissemination.
Coordinate the work of external service providers in the area of communication.
Coordinate the cluster level communication working group.
Coordinate with communication focal points of all cluster projects the timely and high-quality submission of contribution of communication materials to country office, headquarters, commissioning parties or other stakeholders.
Support the cluster coordinator and portfolio management with the preparation of speaking notes, press releases and other public relations activities.
Train and supervisor junior communication colleagues.
Stay up-to-date with GIZ’s requirements in the area of communication and corporate design.
Support with the coordination and moderation of high-level cluster events.

Required Qualifications, Competences, and Experience
Qualifications:

University Degree in Mass Communications, Public Relations, Advertising or any related field of study.

Professional experience:

At least 5 years of professional experience in a comparable position, preferably with an international development organization.
Proven track record in publishing posts & articles in traditional and social media that achieved a high level of visibility (please specify in your CV!).

Other knowledge, additional competences:

Fluency in English (writing and speaking)
French language skills are an asset
Excellent writing and analytical as well as oral and written presentation skills
Expert knowledge of using of various channels of communication to reach target audiences
Experience in managing complex, multi-faceted communication projects
Excellent interpersonal skills and high level of integrity
Excellent copy editing and writing skills
Ability to clearly communicate programme’s activities and objectives to the public
Planning and excellent prioritisation skills
Proficiency in the use of communications tools and software, including but not limited to Microsoft Office tools, web design software (especially WordPress), working knowledge of Adobe tools (esp. Photoshop & InDesign), database management tools, AI tools and information dissemination platforms
Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed – corresponding measures are agreed with management.