Communication, Events and Organizational Management Advisor at GIZ Nigeria

GIZ NigeriaAbuja, 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 Announcement No.: 089

Programme:

On behalf of the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is implementing the Market Oriented Value Chains for Job and Growth in ECOWAS – MOVE.
The aim of the project is to promote market-oriented and futureproof value chains that contribute to income and employment generation in the ECOWAS region. The focus will be put on the cashew and rice value chains and the proejet will build on the succeses of Competitive Cashew Initiative (ComCashew) and Competitive Rice Initiative (CARI).
MOVE project will be implemented in Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria. The overarching strategy of implementation is built on making value chains more resilient, collaborating with large companies and SMEs, integrating Gender Transformative Approaches (GTA), developing a more conducive local/regional business climate, and then scaling for achieving broad impact in ECOWAS. MOVE objectives and outputs focuses on the following:
- Increasing the share of value added in the ECOWAS region
- Enhancing the viability of production systems
- Increasing the demand for regional products
- Scaling good practices in supply chain development
- Strengthening policy advice and public-private cooperation
In West Africa, the consumption of high-quality rice outstrips local supply due to the continued growth of imported rice from Asia. No country in West Africa has achieved rice self-sufficiency despite having the right agro-climatic conditions and water availability to meet regional demand.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has therefore adopted a new strategic framework to accelerate the development of rice value chains with the goal of reaching regional self-sufficiency by 2030. To achieve this, ECOWAS has aligned and with several development partners including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, GIZ/MOVE, the African Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, FCDO, AGRA, JICA/CARD, World Bank, and others.
Based on field research and recommendations from public and private sector partners across ECOWAS member states, a regional “ECOWAS Rice Observatory” (ERO) has been jointly created by stakeholders. ERO, housed at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, Nigeria, coordinates rice sector-related programs, public/private investments, and policy recommendations for key decision-makers.
At the same time, national rice platforms are being established, comprised primarily of private sector stakeholders across the value chain, in addition to representation from research, government, and civil society to coordinate country-specific investments and policies.
MOVE Is seeking a Regional - Communication, Event and Organizational Manager (CEOM) who will be based at the at the ERO Secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria. He/she will report to directly to the ERO Executive Secretary and support the Board comprised of ECOWAS, Africa Rice, development agencies, national stakeholder platform representatives and others in the rice sector. Working in collaboration with our partners—including regional governments, researchers, development partners, the private sector and civil society—ERO will be focused on implementing the recommendations made by the Board, its technical committees, and by national stakeholder platforms.
The vision of the ERO is fully aligned with the ECOWAS Rice Offensive as well as with MOVE.

Responsibilities & Tasks
Responsibilities:

The Communication, Event and Organizational Management Advisor (CEOM) will bring experience in communications as well as in organizing events and trade shows.
She/He will be responsible for supporting all ERO organizational structures, committees, and value chain partners working to advance joint objectives. And also responsible for developing and xecuting a multi-year communications plan as well as taking the lead on event planning in the sub region.

Board, technical committee, and general assembly support:

Assist ERO staff to maintain a master calendar of all ERO meetings and events
Develop and maintain relationships with communications experts working with ERO partners
Assist ES in preparing materials for ERO Board meetings, as needed
Track key performance indicators related to ERO communications.
Take detailed Board and technical committee meeting minutes, identifying action items and decision points, as needed
Organize semi-annual general assembly meetings and rice industry trade shows

Communications:

Develop a comprehensive communication strategy and plan to be reviewed and approved by the ERO board
Prepare and execute an ERO social media plan in collaboration with ERO partners
Prepare press releases
Design an ERO logo and branding plan
Develop and maintain a roster of reporters, influencers, etc. with interest in ERO objectives
Develop and maintain an ERO website and knowledge management system (with contractor support) of rice-related agronomic and market information, as well as best practices in rice sector development
Draft speeches and talking points, as needed for ERO leadership.

For Internal Communications:

Ensure the management and proper flow of information within ERO’s Secretariat and other partners including the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources of ECOWAS.
Facilitate communication with all actors involved in the implementation of ERO.
Support integration of tools and processes and identify opportunities to make ERO’s work more efficient and effective.
Contribute to a positive, innovative, and supportive work environment.

For external communications:

Consolidate a contact base for the dissemination of content produced by ERO.
Produce or revise communication media intended for beneficiaries and partners and ensure compliance of media with the established graphic charter.
Identify, meet, establish, and cultivate relationships with key national, regional and international media in order to increase ERO’s visibility, and ensuring the availability of media information required.
Design multimedia tools and computer graphics as desired.
Regularly report on the performance of ERO content.
Drive the development of ERO multilingual communications and content that translates complex concepts into compelling and engaging communications across various media, including print and digital, with an eye towards cutting-edge solutions and data integration to ensure stakeholder engagement.
Assists in preparing data from the project’s monitoring system and project planning tool, facts and figures for communication materials.
Provide photographic and audiovisual coverage of ERO’s events (with contractor support).

For knowledge capitalization and management:

Develop and implement an effective knowledge management strategy, ensuring the capitalization and dissemination of achievements
Develop the quarterly ERO’s newsletter, solicit content, compiles articles, coordinates with graphic designers, ensures final editing of all articles and its wide dissemination.
Write press releases, analyses, blogs, stories/testimonials, success stories, etc.
Select information to be capitalized on (learning event, exchange networks, good practices on different media and communication channels, etc.) and seeks approval for its dissemination.

Administrative-related support:

Assist in developing and maintaining a work plan for the Secretariat, approved by ES
Edit annual report
Work with ERO staff to organize for the Board any special assignments, travel, visitor travel, and events administration including the semi-annual General Assembly meetings and rice industry trade shows in partnership with the ECOWAS Commission
Lead the preparation of the annual cycle of events, including but not limited to the ERO Structured Dialogue events, specialized workshops, and conferences at regional level.
Manage the organizational planning and implementation of events, including the coordination of inputs from relevant internal and external counterparts, invitation and registration processes, administrative and substantive support to the country and entity teams in developing the event agendas.
Perform other initiatives as assigned by the ES.

Other Duties/Additional Tasks:

Performs other duties and tasks at the request of project management

Required Qualifications, Competences and Experience
Qualification:

A minimum of a University Degree in Communications, Political Sciences, Public Information, International Relations, Management, or a related field. A Master’s Degree will be an added advantage.
Social Behavioural Change Communication (SBCC) Certification would be an asset.

Professional experience:

Minimum of 4 years working in communications and event
planning and management, ideally involving private sector
Excellent communication/writing skills in English and French
(writing samples requested with CV)
Excellent website and computer skills using Microsoft office applications, Teams, etc, (including knowledge of graphic design software that might be considered an asset, e.g., InDesign, Photoshop).
Experience in setting up and running conferences, publicprivate stakeholder events and trade shows (this may include the knowledge of organizing and hosting virtual meetings on diverse platforms)
Experience working in teams and managing processes dependent on cooperation with multiple actors
Excellent report/proposal writing skills and dependable in meeting all deadlines and deliverables
Proven track record in developing communication strategies, content, websites, and marketing
Knowledge of agricultural related programs, specifically rice, is desirable
Ability and willingness to travel within the ECOWAS region as needed
Good knowledge and practical experience of print, oral and online media.