Communications Specialist at GIZ Nigeria

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.

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 around 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, 466 national and 63 international employees, 37 regional staff, 4 integrated specialists and 3 development workers are working in the country (January 2025).

The Project
Digital Solutions for Sustainable Development in Nigeria (DTC Nigeria) Programme.

• The Digital Transformation Center Nigeria is a GIZ project that aims to contribute to the improvement of the capacity of the Nigerian economy to implement digital innovations for growth, through supporting the improvement of the digital innovation ecosystem and the digital transformation of the economy and society.
• The project focuses primarily on Digitalization, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Employment. To achieve this, the project works closely with Nigerian actors in the innovation ecosystem, such as: National Information and Technology Development Agency, research and academic institutions, innovation hubs, hub networks, start-ups, MSMEs, women, young people, and PwDs.
• The activities focus mainly on capacity building through promoting participatory policy development and implementation, promoting cooperation among digital innovation ecosystem actors, improving the availability of digital solutions and digitalization services for MSMEs, and equipping MSMEs with digital business competencies and youth with labour-market relevant ICT skills for employment.

Responsibilities and Tasks
The Communications Specialist, based in Lagos, will work under the supervision of the Commission Manager and perform the following tasks:

• Development and implementation of comprehensive, innovative and effective communication/media strategies, plans, messages and materials across diverse platforms and channels for the project.
• Conceptualization, implementation and active maintenance of the project website in line with the communication plan in collaboration with the project team and key partners.
• Coordination of programme communication outputs, their approval, publication and circulation widely among stakeholders, beneficiaries, partners and donors.
• Provide quality assurance for all communication activities, outputs and deliverables in line with GIZ’s and donor communication guidelines (communication artefacts production, external service providers and vendors management).
• Actively supporting the Team in the organization of events (event design and implementation, events and manage the events calendar management, external knowledge and communication process coordination).
• Elaborating visibility reports for donors and generally contributing to reports to commissioning parties, and M&E.
• Capitalization and knowledge management in communication related topics and support the same for project activities and achievements.
• Develop and implement a knowledge management approach and tools.
• Support and advise on activities and achievements to be capitalized.
• Collaborate and coordinate with the SEDEC Cluster and permanent coordination with the GIZ Country Office and the donor’s focal points for communication, ensuring that all communication respects GIZ and donor visibility guidelines.
• Perform other duties and tasks at the request of project management

Required qualifications, Competences and Experience
Qualifications:

• A minimum of a University Degree in Social Sciences, Mass Communication, Digital Marketing, Public Information, International Relations or a related field. A Master’s Degree will be an added advantage.

Professional experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience with national and international organizations in the field of communication (media and PR work, journalism, corporate communication, advertising, lobbying or similar).
• Demonstrated experience in developing communication strategies, content and tools.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Nigerian digital innovation and entrepreneurship landscape.
• Demonstrated experience in event organization, including setting up and running conferences, public-private stakeholder events and trade shows (this includes the knowledge of organizing and hosting virtual meetings on diverse platforms).
• Sound knowledge of communication platforms.
• Proficiency in communications tools and software, including but not limited to Microsoft Office tools e.g., maintenance of websites, working knowledge of Adobe tools, and database.

Salary
According to GIZ Salary Scale for Band 4.

Method of Application

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