Technical Advisor - Early Warning and Early Response at 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: Technical Advisor - Early Warning and Early Response

Vacancy No: 065
Location: Abuja
Employment Type: Full-time

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 361 national, 66 international employees, 19 regional staff, 4 integrated specialists and 3 development workers are working in the country (June 2020).

Responsibilities
The Technical Advisor is responsible for:

• Provide strategic and technical guidance and policy advice to the partner organization to enhance early warning systems in ECOWAS Member States (MS), in line with international best practices and standards.
• Support initiatives to enhance the ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Network (ECOWARN) system.
• Foster a closer working relationship between the Early Warning Directorate (EWD) and the National Centres for the Coordination of Response Mechanisms (NCCRMS) in the ECOWAS MS, and effectively coordinate support to strengthen NCCRMs' capacities.
• Support initiatives that leverage digital tools for conflict prevention and peacebuilding in ECOWAS MS.
• Foster dynamic partnerships with key stakeholders at the regional and national levels, including civil society, youth actors, media, development partners, and others working towards strengthening early warning systems in the ECOWAS MS.
• Ensure effective coordination with other implementing organizations and development agencies supporting EWD and relevant Directorates within the ECOWAS system to mitigate growing human security challenges in the region. • Provide technical support for organizing Country Risks and Human Security Assessment (CRHSA) missions in MS and implement key recommendations from these missions to strengthen ECOWAS and its Member States' intervention strategies.
• Support and assist the efforts of a Technical Advisor working to strengthen the capacities of the National Peace
• Infrastructures (NPIs) and the Early Response Mechanism (ERM) efforts.
•  Ensure the incorporation of conflict sensitivity and do-no- harm approaches in activities and engagements with regional, national, and local stakeholders.
• Coordinate closely with the Gender focal person on the project to ensure effective integration of gender-related issues into diverse initiatives aimed at strengthening early warning systems in ECOWAS MS.
• Ensure effective coordination and oversight of work implemented by Project grant recipients.
• Ensure visibility of GIZ's support for regional and national early warning systems.
• Conduct context analysis, technical briefs, and research; develop and deliver presentations; and prepare various forms of documentation, including background papers and
• knowledge products.
• Support knowledge building and lessons learned processes concerning early warning initiatives in the region.
• Work closely with the Project's Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Advisor to ensure effective utilization of knowledge management tools for documentation of relevant data and success stories.

Task:

• The Technical Advisor also performs the following tasks: rogrammatic Implementation and planning:
• Support the day-to-day operational activities and functions of the GIZ EPSAO project in close consultation with the Head of Components Conflict Prevention and Elections.
• Assist in developing and adjusting operational plans and budgets
• Oversee the progress of core work areas and ensure that they remain in line with implementation strategy.
• Identify opportunities and ensure good collaboration and synergy with other components of the project (security sector, women, peace and security; elections and governance; and support for the regional training infrastructure).
• Provide administrative and logistical support for activity implementation.
• Ensure consistent implementation of GIZ and EU guidelines. Support knowledge management and reporting processes. Perform other project-related duties and functions as directed ther duties/additional tasks
• performs other duties and tasks at the request of management

Required qualifications, competences, and experience qualifications

• University degree in political science, conflict resolution, peace studies, peacebuilding, conflict management, or a relevant field professional experience
• At least 7 years' experience of professional experience in the areas of early warning and early response, conflict prevention, peacebuilding or related field. Master's degree is an added advantage.
• Experience of leading implementation of similar Early Warning and Early Response initiatives in West Africa.
• A good understanding of the African peace and security landscape and especially the ECOWAS region - with an established network.
• Experience working for an international organization will be highly desirable as will experience working or engaging with national actors (including governments, civil society and other)

Other knowledge, additional competences

• Experience with conflict analysis tools.
• Experience with national initiatives focused on strengthening early warning systems is highly desirable.
• Strong working knowledge of the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework (ECPF).
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, multidisciplinary, and highly political context.
• Expertise in applying technical skills to provide quality support and advice to political partners in conflict mitigation and
• prevention.
• Excellent diplomacy and persuasion skills, with a high sense of integrity and transparency.
• Good understanding of results-based planning, monitoring, and reporting.
• Exceptional writing, reporting, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Good analytical abilities.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English is required for this position.
• Working knowledge of French will be a significant advantage.
• Familiarity with the ECOWAS region and established contacts with relevant actors is considered an asset.

Application Closing Date
12th July, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and Letter of Motivation as one document with complete contact details to: [email protected] using "vacancy no. 065" as the subject of the email.

Note

• Please include vacancy no. 061 in mail subject
• GIZ is an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity. All qualified candidates, regardless of disability, age, sex, ethnicity, race, and religion are encouraged to apply
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.