Trade Policy Advisor 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: Trade Policy Advisor

Vacancy No: 024
Location: Abuja
Organization: GIZ Nigeria, AfCFTA programme

Responsibilities

• The Trade Policy Advisor provides expert guidance on trade policies, regulations, and agreements to support ECOWAS’s and Member States’ strategic objectives and policy orientation.
• The Advisor will play a crucial role in advancing the Trade in Services agenda within ECOWAS member states.
• The Advisor will provide technical support toward capacity building and regulatory alignment to enhance regional integration and foster the growth of trade, especially in the services sector.
• This role involves collaboration with governments, regional bodies, private sector stakeholders, and international partners to address barriers to trade in services and promote sustainable economic development in West Africa.
• The Advisor will be working closely with ECOWAS Commission, providing support to Member States.

Tasks

• Analyze existing trade in services policies, regulations, and frameworks in West Africa and conduct studies on key service sectors (including financial services, telecommunications, transport, and professional services) to identify growth opportunities and policy barriers.
• Provide technical advice on aligning regional and national policies with international trade agreements, such as the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
• Monitor global trade trends, economic developments, and their impact on trade policy in the region and provide recommendations for the development and implementation of trade policies.
• Assist governments, trade organizations, or private companies in shaping trade strategies, including trade in services.
• Work closely with government ministries, ECOWAS directorates/institutions, and private sector organizations to identify priorities and challenges in trade in services.
• Design and deliver capacity-building workshops and training programs for policymakers and stakeholders on trade in services topics and initiate dialogue and collaboration between public and private sector actors to promote inclusive trade policies.
• Support the development of strategies to enhance service sector competitiveness and regional integration.
• Develop and disseminate advocacy materials to promote the benefits of trade in services integration

Required qualifications, competencies, and experience
Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in International Trade, International Law, Development Studies, Economics, or a related field.

Professional experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in trade policy or traderelated issues in Nigeria and ECOWAS.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, youth and women groups and the private sector in ECOWAS Member States.
• Experience in interagency coordination, managing diverse interests of multiple stakeholders in different ECOWAS countries.

Other knowledge, additional competencies:

• Experience in the design and management of trade information portals in ECOWAS region
• Good working knowledge of ITC technologies (related software, phone, fax, email, the internet) and computer applications (e.g. MS Office) • Good management and organisational skills.

Salary
According to GIZ Salary Scale for Band 4.

Application Closing Date
11th March, 2025.

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. 024" as the subject of the mail.

Note

• 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.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.