Advisor - P+ Strengthening Participation in the Energy Transition

1. ABOUT THE POSITION

The P+ project is looking to fill an Advisor position, to support the successful implementation of the project, in close cooperation with relevant stakeholders and partners.

The successful applicant will bring knowledge of South Africa’s energy sector and its socio-economic development efforts, proven stakeholder cooperation and management skills, and a passion for achieving impact to broaden participation in South Africa’s energy transition.

By joining the GIZ energy cluster team in the Pretoria office, you will:

• play a key role in implementing the P+ project, leading its cooperation with relevant stakeholders and independently managing grant recipients implementing relevant activities in Outputs 2 and 3;
• independently design, initiate and implement additional activities to help broaden the reach of South Africa’s energy transition and pilot new forms of societal participation in-line with the goals of Outputs 2 and 3;
• conduct the monitoring and support the communication of the work you and your partners lead on.

You will work in a dynamic and supportive environment. You will enjoy autonomy and the opportunity to leverage your expertise in the field to help ensure a  just energy transition.

2. TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As Advisor for the P+ project your key responsibilities are:

Strategic Tasks

• Manage the implementation of two grant agreements with organisations relevant for enhancing socio-economic development processes (Output 2) and for expanding (financial) participation in the energy transition (Output 3). This will include providing substantive and administrative support to the organisations, ensuring financial, administrative and substantive reporting in-line with GIZ’s requirements, and acting as the single point of contact to follow and support the successful implementation of the activities the organisations plan.
• Identify synergies, share knowledge and learning, and build on the work implemented via the grant agreements to enhance coherence and visibility amongst stakeholders, and to ensure the uptake of new models and approaches which enhance participation in the energy transition. Where relevant, this includes identifying models and good practice in other sectors, countries etc and adapting them for use in South Africa.
• Develop and maintain relations with stakeholders relevant for the implementation of the project’s work to both enhance socio-economic development processes and measures, and to expand (financial) participation in the energy sector.

Project Implementation

• Design and implement complimentary activities to augment the work implemented via grant agreements to stakeholders in Outputs 2 and 3. These might include designing, commissioning and implementing a series of feasibility studies for new forms of financial participation in the energy transition, identifying scalable models for employee share ownership and/or financial participation in the renewable energy, or evaluating, developing and elaborating new approaches to improve community consultation around renewable energy projects.
• Developing terms of reference, commissioning consultancy support and managing the implementation of deliverables by service providers as needed for the implementation of additional activities, and ensuring these are on time, on budget and on quality.
• Implement the necessary monitoring and evaluation measures for Outputs 2 and 3 to enable internal and external reporting and communications, including for the project as a whole, collaborating closely with the project team and the Head of Project on this.
• Provide regular inputs and updates to the team (notably the Communications Advisor) on implementation activities relevant for the communication of the project and its work. Where feasible this also includes supporting the communications work of the two organisations receiving grants, to help enable them to amplify their work.

Overarching Tasks

• Support other activities within the project and as part of GIZ’s Energy Cluster on an as-needed basis, and in close collaboration with the Head of Project or other teams. 

Note that the list is not exhaustive and will be further developed in the course of the project’s implementation and needs, including those of the grant recipients you will work with

3. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES AND EXPRERIENCES

Qualifications:

• University degree in the field of political sciences, energy policy, (macro)economics, sociology, sustainable/rural/local development studies or similar;

Professional Experience:

• At least 3 years professional experience in an organisation in the energy, climate and/or local economic development sectors, ideally in institutions working to advance South Africa’s energy transition;
• Minimum 2 years professional experience in a project or programme management role, with proven experience of procurement processes, grant management (ideally with civil society organisations and/or from international organisations), contract and supplier management, budget management etc.
• Knowledge and experience in the fields of local or socio-economic development activities, local energy planning, new economic development models etc. are an asset, and can be proven through academic, professional or voluntary experience;
• Strong team-working skills, including in small, interdisciplinary and multi-cultural teams; proven communications skills, including across hierarchies and functions;
• Ability to work as part of a small team, independently, and in a structured, methodical manner; proven problem-solving skills and outcome-orientation;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook, MS Teams, etc.);
• Excellent writing, verbal and presentation skills;
• Fluency in English.

4. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The position will be based at GIZ Hatfield, Pretoria.
• The position is full time and comprises a fixed term of employment. The position is for the duration of the project until the 30th of June 2028.
• At GIZ, you will be offered global network and an atmosphere that is characterised by diversity, respect, and genuine equal opportunities. Gender equality promotion is a matter of course for us.
• GIZ is a signatory of the Diversity Charter. Recognition, appreciation and inclusion of diversity in the company are important to us. All employees shall be valued - regardless of gender and gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, social background, age or sexual orientation.
• GIZ would like to increase the proportion of employees with disability. Applications from persons with disabilities are most welcome.

5. APPLICATION PROCESS

GIZ will only assess applications which meet the following criteria:

Suitable candidates should apply by submitting a

• Cover/Motivation Letter in PDF format (max. 2 pages) clearly stating why they should be the preferred candidate, the value added they will bring to the project and their desired salary range.
• A detailed CV (max.3 pages) in PDF format, indicating their eligibility to work in South Africa

The application should be submitted to: recruit-pretoria@giz.de, with the following email subject line “Application for Advisor - P+ Strengthening Participation in the Energy Transition” for the attention of Head of Human Resource.

The deadline for applications is 20th of June 2025.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates and meets requirements will be considered

Applications without a motivation letter will not be considered!