Advisor on Transboundary Water Management and Investment

Organization
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Location
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job Type
Contract
Deadline for Applications
03/25/2025
Where to Apply
https://www.giz.de/en/downloads_els/023-2025-Advisor%20on%20transboundary%20water%20management%20and%20investment.pdf
Tags
Contract

Advisor on transboundary water management and investment for the African Union Commission – GV Global Water Security for Resilient Development

Position:  Advisor on Transboundary Water Management and Investment for the African Union Commission
Place of Assignment:  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Initial Contract Period:  01 May 2025 – 31 December 2027
Application Deadline:  25 March 2025

 

About GIZ
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a global service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world. As a public benefit federal enterprise, GIZ supports the German Government – in particular the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) – and many public and private sector clients in achieving their objectives in international cooperation in around 120 countries.
Since 2004, GIZ has been a reliable and trusted partner of the African Union (AU) to enhance inclusive growth and sustainable development on the African continent in line with the AU’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. With around 250 staff, GIZ African Union cooperates with the AU Commission, as well as the AU’s specialised institutions and agencies, such as the Development Agency AUDA-NEPAD, at continental, regional and national level in more than 40 member states. Key areas of engagement include Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, Governance, Sustainable Economic Growth, Health and Social Development, as well as Just Transition.

The global programme ‘Water Security for Resilient Development (SecBlue)’ is part of the GloBe Water Cluster (CoopBlue). It focuses on strengthening governance structures for improved water security within broad development contexts to allow for more resilient development of countries and regions. Part of the global programme is the continental action ‘Blue Africa ‘, funded by the European Union Delegation in Addis Ababa. Blue Africa is a key action of the Team Europe Initiative on Transboundary Water Management in Africa (TEI TWM) and implemented in cooperation with the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and the African Union Commission (AUC). The main objectives of Blue Africa are strengthening the continental water governance architecture, stimulating investments in the African water agenda, and the further development of benchmarking and monitoring tools on water security.

 

Core Tasks
• As advisor for Blue Africa based in Addis Ababa, you are supporting the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW), and the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) with the implementation of planned measures within the action. This includes the strengthening of the Africa-wide coordination and cooperation framework for Transboundary Water Management (TWM), the improvement of African investment frameworks to stimulate investments in the African water agenda, and the improvement of the benchmarking and monitoring tools on water security in Africa.
• You are responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring measures foreseen for the AUC and AIP under the action Blue Africa, in line with technical and economical standards and aligned with the AUC direct management contract which the EU has awarded to the AUC. This includes monitoring of impacts, indicators, activities, as well as quality and knowledge management and support with reporting towards the EU.
• Based on your close cooperation with the AUC, you provide guidance for the implementation and further development of measures of the action Blue Africa, the overall TEI TWM, and the global programme.
• You support the advisory services of the global programme to BMZ. This includes advisory on BMZ’s role and tasks as representative of the German government within the TEI TWM as well as advisory on TWM in general.
• You work closely with other advisors in the project team based in Addis Ababa, Abuja and Germany, as well as bilateral and regional water programmes in Africa. This includes the identification of, and where possible support towards, acquisition processes for additional EU cofinancing from the TEI TWM for other programmes.
• In addition, you establish trustful relationships with key partners, which are the AUC, AMCOW, AIP, and other ongoing TWM projects of BGR, KfW and GIZ. Furthermore, you will cooperate closely with the GIZ competence center on water, wastewater, and waste.

 

Your Profile
• University degree (Master or similar) in a relevant field (water management, hydrology, water and sanitation, water resources, engineering, political science, economics, or environmental science)
• At least 10 years professional experience in development cooperation projects in Africa regarding water management, water resources, water and sanitation, water diplomacy, or governance
• At least 10 years of work experience in infrastructure development in Africa, especially in financing infrastructure projects. Expertise in structuring and arranging transactional finance is an advantage.
• At least 5 years professional experience in cooperation projects with African institutions active in the water sector, on continental, regional or national level
• Ideally expertise and knowledge with EU funded projects
• Very strong communication skills and experience in working with high political visibility, very good analytical and strategic skills
• Enthusiasm, team spirit, reliability, diplomatic skills, competence in gender issues and intercultural behavior
• Independent working style and readiness to take over responsibility, strong networking skills
• Excellent English is a prerequisite, good command of German and French are additional assets

The position is based in Addis Ababa. Readiness for travel within Ethiopia, to South Africa, Nigeria, and other African countries as well as Europe is a prerequisite.

 

How to Apply – The application should include:
• a motivational letter / letter of application,
• a recent CV, including at least three referee contacts.

Applications should be submitted via email to hr_au@giz.de with the subject line “Advisor on transboundary water management and investment – Your Name”.

Closing date for applications: 25 March 2025, midnight EAT. Only Shortlisted Candidates will be contacted.

GIZ is an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from individuals regardless of gender, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, age, or any other protected characteristic. We embrace diversity and believe that inclusivity in the workplace is essential to our success and we are committed to creating a work environment where all employees are valued and respected