Junior Green Hydrogen Economy Advisors X2

Reports to: Component Leader

Duration: Until 31 December 2023

BACKGROUND

Globally, the demand for green hydrogen (H2) and green hydrogen-based products

such as ammonia and synthetic jet fuels (PtX) is rising.  To fulfill decarbonization targets, many off-takers (e.g., Germany, EU or Japan) are willing to pay a premium price and to sign long-term supply agreements to stimulate H2/PtX market development.  Hydrogen, however, also offers domestic use opportunities to South Africa.

Due to the outstanding potential of renewable energy sources and existing hydrogen production facilities, South Africa is regarded as one of the main future suppliers of green hydrogen products. An essential pre-condition for green H2/PtX market development would be the massive development of low-cost RE capacities and to this end, existing market barriers would need to be removed, the political and regulatory framework would need to be adjusted and a far-reaching capacity building, skills development and training initiative implemented. Building a hydrogen economy could open-up promising new export markets for South African companies as well is domestic use opportunities.

Based on discussions with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and representatives of the South African government in late 2019, GIZ was commissioned to implement a future green hydrogen project (H2.SA) in South Africa from September 2021 and December 2023.

The project has four focal areas:

  1. Supporting policy and regulatory framework conditions for a green hydrogen economy,
  2. Supporting actors to build a green hydrogen export economy,
  3. Enhancing capacity and knowledge of South African stakeholders in the H2/PtX sector,
  4. Mitigating the potential implications of a H2/PtX economy on the environment, society, and the economy.

The H2.SA programme forms part of the Energy Cluster of programmes implemented by GIZ in cooperation with a variety of South African public sector partners.

The positions of the two (2) Junior Advisors will support the activities in Component 2, 3 and 4 of the programme: The impact hypothesis is that South African companies will respond to the global demand for green hydrogen and its downstream products and invest in H2/PtX projects. To do so, companies will benefit from the improvements in the enabling environment supported by the programme and will be able to leverage the knowledge gained from generic studies into specific investment projects, thereby reducing investment risks. It is assumed that a global market for H2/PtX will emerge and international support mechanisms (e.g., H2Global) will create the necessary economic incentives for investments. Component 3 recognises that establishing a new sector requires skills and capacities. The component focusses on identifying the skills required to service the green H2 sector and work towards ensuring the availability of these skills and capacities. Apart from general training and capacity building, H2.SA will provide support to research and innovation stakeholders to ensure an on-going development of research capabilities in the country. Component 4 works to avoid or minimize negative environmental and social impacts of green H2 and PtX production. Important aspects relate to water supply, land use, biodiversity, critical raw materials as well as quality of jobs, labour standards, health and safety or local access to energy. Cooperation with participating institutions and stakeholders focuses on developing hands-on and solution-oriented approaches with the aim of addressing ecological and socio-economic challenges. A special focus is on enhancing gender equality by the advancement of women in line with guidelines for gender-responsive planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and auditing.

TASKS AND  RESPONSIBILITIES

The Junior Advisor has the following key tasks and responsibilities:

  • Support the overall implementation of the H2.SA programme’s activities focussed on
  • the establishment of a green hydrogen export economy in South Africa. This work will be done in close cooperation with and with assistance from the H2.SA Technical Advisors for Private Sector Cooperation and Capacity Building, Research and Innovation, the H2.SA Programme Component Managers for components 2, 3 and 4 as well as the H2.SA Programme Director.
  • Support the design of work packages and the development of terms of reference
  • (ToR) for activities as part of GIZ’s procurement process.
  • Support the selection of service providers (national / international consultancies) and their management during implementation, e.g., participate in regular calls, oversee the implementation status of activities, monitoring and evaluation, etc.
  • Support the team in the coordination of project activities (both directly implemented by GIZ or via consultancies) within H2.SA and across other GIZ projects.
  • Support the planning and organisation of events, and the on-the-day running of the event, incl. welcoming participants, moderating sessions, and taking minutes
  • Support stakeholder co-operation, specifically the programme steering structures. Prepare inputs/briefings for partner dialogues.
  • Support the implementation of communication and knowledge management activities, incl. the organisation of workshops, seminars, study tours and other means of information sharing among government decision-makers, industry representatives and other experts.
  • Ensure that internal documents such as the Operational Plan, project database, address lists and other relevant documents are updated.
  • Contribute to the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) system by adding required information and preparing reporting inputs as required.

Note that the list is not exhaustive and will be further developed.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Suitable candidates should apply by submitting a motivation letter stating why they should be the preferred candidate. This should be accompanied by a detailed CV indicating their nationality to recruit-pretoria@giz.de with the subject line “Junior Green Hydrogen Advisor:” for the attention of Head of Human Resource.

Private Sector Co-Operation, Capacity Building, Research and Innovation: Component 2 & 3.

Environment and Social Sustainability: Component 4.

Closing date for applications: 18 July 2022.

Only shortlisted candidates will be informed!

Applications without a motivation letter will not be considered!

Full job description download below.