Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Application Deadline: August 10, 2025
Vacancy No.: 061
Job Summary
GIZ, in collaboration with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the ECOWAS Commission, is recruiting an Advisor in Communication and Digital Governance to support a major regional governance project in West Africa. This role is at the core of a strategic initiative designed to enhance communication capacities, fight misinformation and disinformation, and modernize digital governance within ECOWAS institutions. The project is part of a Team Europe Approach, co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the European Union (EU), and AECID, and will run from January 2024 to December 2026 with a financial volume of EUR 14.9 million.
This position focuses on institutional development, digital engagement, and strategic communication aimed at promoting public trust, enhancing accountability, and aligning ECOWAS with regional and global digital governance standards. The successful candidate will play a central role in helping ECOWAS navigate the challenges of platform regulation, AI policy, digital rights, and resilient democratic discourse.
Key Responsibilities
The Advisor will lead the development of regional and national strategies to combat disinformation, both online and offline. The role includes facilitating multi-stakeholder platforms for public awareness and fact-checking, building digital literacy among civil society and government actors, and providing technical input on critical areas such as data protection, platform governance, algorithmic transparency, and digital rights.
A major focus will be to support ECOWAS in aligning its frameworks with continental and global standards, such as the Global Digital Compact. The Advisor will engage with civil society, ICT regulators, and major tech platforms to improve regional coherence on digital governance. He or she will also be responsible for promoting local innovation ecosystems, especially those centered on AI and trustworthy information, to strengthen democratic resilience in West Africa.
In addition to policy development, the Advisor will contribute to capacity building within ECOWAS by designing training programs, developing institutional frameworks, and supporting communication workflows that incorporate emerging technologies such as generative AI. The role will also involve strategic advisory services, technical drafting, monitoring of global trends, and collaboration with development partners to foster inclusive, rights-based innovation across the region.
Main Tasks
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Provide technical advisory services to ECOWAS on digital governance, strategic communication, and disinformation response.
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Design inclusive and gender-responsive policy frameworks on platform accountability, AI ethics, and digital engagement.
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Strengthen internal policy coordination and digital resilience within ECOWAS departments.
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Develop and roll out capacity-building tools for ECOWAS staff and regional actors in areas such as AI literacy, digital threats, and fact-checking.
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Establish digital monitoring systems to track disinformation trends and support evidence-based public communication.
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Draft technical papers, policy briefs, talking points, and analytical reports on AI, misinformation, and digital innovation.
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Coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders including civil society, media, regulatory bodies, and tech platforms.
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Support knowledge management, learning, and reporting for the Strategic Communication and Digital Governance component of the project.
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Manage consultants and service providers, ensuring delivery aligns with GIZ quality standards and project goals.
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Document good practices, case studies, and success stories for internal and external learning.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (MSc/MBA) in digital policy, political science, law, innovation, media studies, or international relations. A minimum of five years of professional experience in strategic communication, digital governance, or related fields is required. Candidates must have at least two years of experience partnering with civil society, media, or regional bodies in responding to disinformation or managing digital policy.
Applicants should demonstrate a proven ability to develop policy recommendations, facilitate stakeholder dialogues, and lead regional frameworks on platform regulation, AI governance, and public communication. Familiarity with ECOWAS and the broader West African policy and media landscape is essential. Experience in promoting inclusive digital governance approaches, especially those that address gender and marginalization, will be a strong asset.
Skills and Competencies
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Deep knowledge of digital policy, AI, and information integrity
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Professional proficiency in at least two ECOWAS official languages (English, French, or Portuguese)
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Strong analytical, research, and communication skills
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Experience working with international organizations and donor-funded projects
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Cultural sensitivity and ability to operate in multilingual, diverse environments
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Strong commitment to gender equality, digital rights, and democratic values
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application online through the official GIZ application portal no later than August 10, 2025. Please ensure your application reflects your relevant experience in digital governance, strategic communication, and regional policy development. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews and assessments.