Nigerian Trade and Development Technical Specialist

Job Description

Job Title Trade-Development Nexus Technical Specialist
Project Name Field Support Service Project – Nigeria
Job type Consultancy
Location of Position Nigeria
Reporting to Project Manager
Remuneration Based on experience and market rates
Indicative LOE/Timeframe 60 Days
Citizenship Nigerian
Language Requirements English
Application Deadline 27 August 2025 at midnight- Applications reviewed on a rolling basis

Application Instructions

1. A cover letter is mandatory for reviewers to consider reviewing application. Cover letters should effectively align your skills and experiences with the specific job responsibilities outlined in the position’s description, demonstrating your aptitude and enthusiasm for the role, your daily fee and current availability.
2. Click the “Apply now” link to upl oad your cover letter and CV (Curriculum Vitae).
3. Only successful candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please.

Alinea is an international development consultancy providing technical and management expertise that helps people improve their lives. We work with governments, investors, companies, and communities to create lasting change. Over 38 years, Alinea has successfully delivered more than 1000 projects worldwide. alineainternational.com

Alinea International does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment and hiring process. All offers of employment or job opportunities with Alinea International that include any form of a request for payment of fees or collect information on bank accounts are fraudulent. Any requests for such payment or information should be refused and reported to your local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action and to Alinea International

At Alinea International we value diversity, equity, inclusivity, accessibility and belonging in everything we do. We are an equal opportunity employer opposed to all forms of discrimination. We actively seek and encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds recognizing that an inclusive workforce enriches our organization and achieves smarter, more innovative results

Alinea is committed to the protection of children and vulnerable adults. Due to the nature of our work, all candidates will be subject to due diligence checks and extensive background checks where appropriate

Project Description
The Field Support Services Project (FSSP) in Nigeria is a Global Affairs Canada (GAC)-funded bilateral initiative that provides administrative, technical, logistical, and financial support to Canada’s development assistance efforts in the country. Its goal is to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of Canada’s programming.
GAC’s cooperation in Nigeria is guided by Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy and Africa Strategy, focusing on gender equality, economic development, peace and security, and sustainability.

Through the Nigeria Bilateral Development Program, Canada supports poor and marginalized populations—especially women and girls—across three priority sectors:

• Health: Strengthening primary health systems and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
• Inclusive Economic Growth: Empowering women and youth, particularly in agriculture and livelihoods.
• Gender Equality: Advancing women’s political participation, leadership, and rights, and capacity building for women’s rights organizations.

Canada supports humanitarian aid, women, peace and security initiatives, and integrates climate change and environmental sustainability across all programming. The FSSP provides technical advisory services to support this cross-cutting priority.
As Canada reviews and updates its strategy in Nigeria, the FSSP will play a key role in ensuring its development efforts remain relevant, responsive, and impactful.

About the work
Key trade and development priorities:

Inclusive Economic Growth: Enhancing the productivity and participation of women and youth in Nigeria’s economy by strengthening inclusive value chains and scaling women-led enterprises. This approach helps unlock economic potential and supports the development of sustainable markets for Canadian and Nigerian businesses

Trade Promotion & Responsible Business Conduct: Promoting responsible business practices and fostering partnerships that support Canadian commercial interests, while contributing to Nigeria’s socio-economic development. Including sector-specific collaboration and investment facilitation aligned with sustainable development goals

Economic Resilience & Market Development: Supporting Nigeria’s capacity to build diversified and resilient economic sectors, particularly in agribusiness, renewable energy, and digital innovation, with a focus on gender-responsive and climate-smart solutions

Human Capital Development: Improving access to quality education and health services—particularly for women and girls – to enhance workforce readiness and productivity, thereby contributing to a more skilled and inclusive labor market

Innovative Financing: Employing variety of innovative financing mechanisms to enhance the impact and sustainability of its international development assistance, especially in line with Canada’s FIAP and 2030 Agenda for

Sustainable Development such as concessional financing, blended financing, conditionally repayable contributions, and development impact bonds

GAC aims to deepen Canada-Nigeria commercial relations and harnessing the power of the private sector to advance shared development priorities and support Nigeria’s broader development goals. GAC works with the Nigerian government, private sector, and civil society to promote diversified and resilient economic sectors.
The local Technical Specialist will give strategic leadership and technical ability at the intersection of trade, economic development, and inclusive growth. They will support GAC’s efforts to improve Nigeria’s local and international trade performance, enhance competitiveness of key agricultural value chains and ensure trade contributes meaningfully to national development goals including poverty reduction, job creation, and gender equity.

The Role
The FSSP will engage a local Trade-Development Nexus Technical Specialist on a part-time/as-needed basis to provide technical support to GAC in advancing its trade and socio-economic development programs in Nigeria.

Key Responsibilities
Trade and Market Systems Analysis

• Analyze Nigeria’s trade flows (imports/exports), regional agreements – e.g., ECOWAS, Africa Continental Free Trade Area- and trade barriers.
• Identify opportunities for improved market access and value addition in key agricultural sectors.
• Conduct trade diagnostics to understand constraints affecting MSMEs and smallholder producers.
• Contribute to sector-specific opportunity and sector development reports.

Policy and Institutional Engagement

• Work with government agencies – Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investments (FMITI), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Export Promotion Council- to advocate for and promote trade-friendly policies.
• Provide technical input to trade policy reforms, customs modernization, and regulatory streamlining.
• Facilitate public-private dialogue platforms for more inclusive trade governance.

Program Implementation and Technical Support

• Support the design and rollout of trade-enabling interventions (export readiness, logistics improvement).
• Collaborate with key value chain specialists to align production with market demands.
• Promote harmonization of standards and certifications to meet export market requirements.
• Participate in monitoring missions; provide field-level analysis and document findings and recommendations.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing

• Train partners, cooperatives, and MSMEs on trade compliance, export readiness, and regional trade opportunities.
• Develop learning products (policy briefs, toolkits, market guides) on trade-development linkages.
• Strengthen institutional capacity of trade support organizations (e.g., chambers of commerce, trade desks, etc.).

Partnerships and Stakeholder Coordination

• Coordinate with donor agencies (USDA, AfDB, World Bank), private sector actors, and civil society.
• Foster synergies between trade promotion and development initiatives (food security, women’s economic empowerment).
• Represent GAC in technical working groups and trade-related forums.
• Support in coordinating GAC’s trade-development nexus-related events/roundtables, including GAC partners.

Required Qualifications Education
Post-graduate degree from an accredited, recognized institution in relevant discipline such as international Trade, Economics, Development Studies, or a related field.

Experience

• 5 years of experience working in trade facilitation, policy advocacy, or economic development.
• Strong knowledge of Nigeria’s trade environment and regional integration frameworks (ECOWAS, AfCFTA) and trade portfolio (oil & gas, agriculture, etc.).
• Experience engaging with government agencies, private sector, and donor-funded projects.
• Excellent communication, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience working directly with Nigerian SMEs and business associations to improve trade/export readiness and competitiveness.
• Experience conducting trade diagnostics, value chain analysis, or market opportunity assessments within Nigeria or similar contexts.

Other Experience

• Demonstrated ability to advise ministries or regulatory bodies on trade and related reforms.
• Led or contributed to institutional capacity development programs for trade-related agencies, customs authorities, business associations, and SMEs.
• Delivered technical assistance and training on trade-related topics to public and private stakeholders.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and systems approach
• Deep understanding of market systems and inclusive trade
• Policy advocacy and negotiation
• Project implementation and M&E
• Cultural and political awareness