What benefits will I receive as a development worker?

GIZ offers a comprehensive and attractive package of benefits based on the German Development Workers Act. These include a living allowance and other cash benefits, employment benefits (such as insurance cover), and other benefits such as the organisation of outward and return travel, including for any family members who may be accompanying you. These benefits will cover your living expenses while abroad. Please note that development workers are assigned to provide a short-term service and are not employees. You will receive specific preparation for your assignment both in Germany and on arrival abroad. Your family may also take part in some preparation seminars. Following your assignment and return, you and your family will receive various forms of support. Further information can be found in our info brochure . The framework conditions for assignment as a development worker can be found in the German Development Workers Act .

In which thematic areas can I be involved as a development worker?

Peacebuilding and crisis prevention Rural development and agriculture, food security Vocational education and training and the labour market Democracy, rule of law, gender Forests and biodiversity Decentralisation, urban and regional development Private sector development, sustainable economic development Health, family planning, HIV/AIDS Education and youth Drinking water, water management, wastewater/waste disposal Energy Environmental policy, conservation and sustainable management of natural resources

Zwei Männer blicken im Freien auf ein Blatt Papier

Development workers

As a development worker in GIZ’s Development Service, you will help build a tolerant and open-minded society while working directly for our partner organisations.

As a development worker, your employment status will be governed by the German Development Workers Act (EhfG). Development workers are deployed for a fixed term to help actively shape cooperation through partnerships between people and organisations worldwide and to work towards global sustainability and a better quality of life.

As a development worker, you will be involved in development policy issues, gain new insights and help build a tolerant and open-minded society. 

Through your commitment and solidarity, you will promote ongoing development in our partner countries and help to improve the living conditions of people locally.

Interested?

Are you interested in being a development worker abroad? Then we look forward to receiving your application.

Vacancies

Direct cooperation with local partners

You will use your specialist expertise and your ‘outsider’s view’ to support our partners in devising innovative solutions and tackling barriers to development. 

Your role working directly with partner organisations, often outside central locations in a country, will illustrate how solutions developed jointly with the partner are likely to be received. This means that you will have an important bridging function within GIZ when it comes to implementing German development cooperation programmes. 

When you return to your home country, you will have gained a fresh perspective and will be able to contribute your newly acquired knowledge to your own society. 

Zwei Frauen und ein Mann blicken auf eine Landkarte, auf dem der Mann etwas markiert — 'My assignment as a development worker is the first time I have been able to put my vocational experience and social competencies to use in development cooperation'
© GIZ

Drei Frauen schrauben an einem Wasserhahn. Eine weitere sieht zu. — 'As a development worker, I cooperate on the basis of partnership to improve global sustainability and quality of life'.
© GIZ

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What requirements do I need to meet for a development worker post abroad?

You must be a citizen of Germany or another European Union member state.
You must have an appropriate vocational qualification for a role abroad, gained either through formal vocational training in a craft or trade or in a technical area or through academic training. 
You must have at least two years’ relevant work experience, including an instructor’s licence in the case of vocational training.
You must have good foreign language skills and/or be willing to expand existing skills and acquire new ones.
You must have good social skills and be open to different cultures, sensitive to intercultural, gender and conflict-related issues, and willing to live and work in a new and unfamiliar environment.
You must be flexible and resilient and keen to gain valuable experience that will benefit your future professional development.
You must have a desire to use your skills in an advisory, planning or management role.
The requirements vary from job to job, and you can find the detailed job specification in individual job advertisements.

What we offer development workers

GIZ offers a comprehensive and attractive package of benefits based on the German Development Workers Act. These include a living allowance and other cash benefits, employment benefits (such as insurance cover), and other benefits such as the organisation of outward and return travel, including for any family members who may be accompanying you. These benefits will cover your living expenses while abroad. Please note that development workers are assigned to provide a short-term service and are not employees.
You will receive specific preparation for your assignment both in Germany and on arrival abroad. Your family may also take part in some preparation seminars. Following your assignment and return, you and your family will receive various forms of support.
Further information can be found in our info brochure.
The framework conditions for assignment as a development worker can be found in the German Development Workers Act.

Your assignment will normally be 24 project months plus a preparation phase. Some assignments are longer, depending on the project term, the maximum being six years. Shorter assignments are also possible, depending on the programme term. However, the German Development Workers Act stipulates a minimum assignment period of 12 project months excluding the preparation phase. If you have already completed at least one year as a development worker with a seconding organisation recognised in Germany, you may also complete short-term assignments (less than 12 months).

Peacebuilding and crisis prevention 
Rural development and agriculture, food security 
Vocational education and training and the labour market 
Democracy, rule of law, gender 
Forests and biodiversity 
Decentralisation, urban and regional development 
Private sector development, sustainable economic development 
Health, family planning, HIV/AIDS 
Education and youth 
Drinking water, water management, wastewater/waste disposal 
Energy 
Environmental policy, conservation and sustainable management of natural resources

Internationality

Basic benefits package

Supply trips and mobility allowance

Support services, safety and security

See all benefits

Development workers

Interested?

Direct cooperation with local partners

What requirements do I need to meet for a development worker post abroad?

What we offer development workers

What benefits will I receive as a development worker?

What benefits will I receive as a development worker?

How long will I spend abroad as a development worker?

How long will I spend abroad as a development worker?

In which thematic areas can I be involved as a development worker?

In which thematic areas can I be involved as a development worker?