The Pan-African E-Commerce Initiative aims to improve the framework conditions for companies in selected African countries to participate in cross-border e-commerce. The project has been running for the past 6 years and is currently being implemented in three countries/regions: Kenya, Ghana and the EAC. The main project office is in Eschborn, Germany with on the ground offices in the respective countries. Focal aspects of the project are inter alia:

• Supporting the strengthening on an enabling environment for cross-border digital trade in Africa for SMEs through the implementation of enacted reforms from the Digital Trade Protocol (DTP) of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
  

• Establishing partnerships to support digital trade for MSMEs in the private sector.
  

• Facilitating implementation mechanisms of the Digital Trade Protocol by public and private sector actors for the promotion of digital trade for companies
  

Responsibilities

The technical professional is responsible for:

• implementing daily operational aspects of all issues related to PeCI
  

• processing technical aspects and further developing the area of responsibility in accordance with the specified standards
  

• maintaining a good flow of communication and information between all involved institutions, counterparts and GIZ
  

• ensuring close coordination of activities of PeCI with other related programs
  

• facilitating project management processes/implementation
  

• ensuring that the logistical and administrative elements of the project run smoothly and are aligned to existing processes
  

Technical Advisory:

• maintains and develops collaboration between PeCI and stakeholders in Kenya, Ghana and EAC
  

• contributes to technical advisory to relevant partners and stakeholders on facilitating digital trade in Kenya

• gathers and disseminates relevant information on geographically related aspects of the project
  

• aligns specific needs in Kenya with the overarching goals of PeCI
  

• liaises with relevant e-commerce platforms in the region

• attends meetings with stakeholders, implementing partners, and donors alongside project technical teams.
  

• develops the technical capacity of partners in the relevant field of expertise
  

• supports with Capacity Building-measures in digital trade

Communication and networking:

• develops and maintains contact with all important stakeholders
  

• ensures knowledge management i.e. collects, processes and distributes relevant information, monitors communication and interaction between government institutions, civil society and partners through analyses of the media, direct dialogue, participation in meetings and seminars etc
  

• supports in the visibility, communication and development of PR materials relating the project in Kenya
  

• identifies appropriate events for engagement and assists in the management of events for PeCI
  

• manages relationships of established contacts with companies and other stakeholders
  

• represents the project in workshops, conferences and seminars
  

• generates content relating to activities carried out by the project
  

• ensures that knowledge generated by the Initiative is captured and disseminated appropriately
  

• actively supports the preparation of fact sheets, webpages, presentations, articles for GIZ intranet and other publications for presenting the project to the public
  

Implementation and coordination:

• coordinates and assists in preparing and conducting project activities and carries out related tasks
  

• regularly consults with the GIZ officer responsible for the project´s service package in Kenya and cooperation on all project activities
  

• helps identify the needs of government institutions and partners
  

• participates in formulating project action plans and helps synchronize the planning and budgeting system
  

• is jointly responsible with the partner institution for preparing, implementing and documenting training events, workshops, forums, team meetings and other project activities
  

• Works closely with other projects of the GIZ Kenya trade team and relevant partners.
  

Administration:

• takes responsibility for administrative tasks according to GIZ rules and regulations (PuR), including assisting in and autonomously preparing bookings, bidding procedures, contracts of
  experts/external consultants and ensuring documentation of the procedures

• prepares logistical aspects of project activities (meetings, workshops etc.)
  

• handles invoices, office procurements, and event-related purchases
  

• monitors the availability of accessories and stock and carries out procurement in accordance with guidelines
  

Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• supports all monitoring and evaluation activities related to the initiative, including implementing, and reviewing monitoring and evaluation plans, tools, and data collection platforms.
  

• ensures the adherence to the M&E plan throughout the project cycle. collaborates with relevant stakeholders and partners to support and guide data collection in the field.
  

• collects, analyzes, and presents progress data in a timely manner as required during project implementation.
  

• contributes to various monitoring reports, including annual reports.
  

• travels to project sites in close collaboration with field partners when required.
  

• Is responsible for the supervision and coordination with expert consultants for Third Party monitoring, ensuring that their work is of high quality and produced within agreed upon
  deadlines.

• ensures that all the implementation and consultants reports are filed correctly in the DMS
  

Other duties/additional tasks

• performs other duties and tasks at the request of management
  

Required qualifications, competences and experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, international trade law, social sciences,digital economy or related field.
  

Professional experience

• At least 3 years’ professional experience in a comparable position
  

Other knowledge, additional competences

• good working knowledge of ITC technologies (related software, phone,email, the internet) and computer applications (e.g. MS Office)
  

• strong understanding of ecommerce and digital trade
  

• willingness to travel regularly
  

• fluent in English
  

• willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed – corresponding measures are agreed with management