We have five different generations working together at our company. Through mentoring programs, we promote the exchange of knowledge between young and old in both directions. We promote lifelong learning at our Academy for International Cooperation .

5. Religion and worldview

We respect an individual approach to faith and create space for religious diversity. Many locations have a ‘Room of Silence’; a place where employees can retreat to pray or pause for a moment. In the canteens, we take religious dietary habits into consideration so that everyone feels welcome and respected.

6. Sexual orientation

We create a working environment in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, intersexual and queer individuals feel welcome and appreciated. We offer targeted support and colleagues take a stand, for example at Pride parades. Many of our staff volunteer in the Rainbow Network to make LGBTQIA* issues visible within the company.

The environment in which someone grows up still has a strong influence on their later educational and career opportunities – in Germany and worldwide. This is why equal opportunities are so important to us. We support all employees in their personal and professional development through personal career support.

Abstrakte Grafik mit violettem Hintergrund und farbigen geschwungenen Linien.

Diversity

Diversity is more than just a word. We live and breathe a culture that recognises potential, breaks down barriers and respects everyone’s uniqueness.

Our measures
Diversity dimensions
Gender justice
Inclusion of people with disabilities
Work-life balance
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A diverse workforce means a diversity of lifestyles, perspectives and ideas. This diversity enhances GIZ’s work because it leads to more creative and innovative solutions. Diversity is an integral part of our corporate culture.

Diversity at our company is based on two pillars: Equal opportunities for all and anti-discrimination as well as strength through diversity.

We promote equal opportunities for all individuals, thereby creating a working environment that is free of prejudice and characterised by acceptance and trust. We oppose all forms of discrimination and disadvantage.

Diversity Officer HR

Janina Fischer

janina.fischer@giz.de

Contact now

Portraitfoto von Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel — Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel

Chair of the GIZ Management Board
Image: © GIZ

We make use of the diversity of mindsets, experiences, perspectives and lifestyles that we have at GIZ. We prize an open corporate culture characterised by respect and appreciation, both in the language we use and the actions we take. Context-specific adaptations, rather than ‘one-size fits all solutions’, are important to us.

We have signed the Diversity Charter and are committed to an intersectional, holistic approach that recognises and values all dimensions of human diversity.

Inclusion Officer

Lukas Groß

lukas.gross@giz.de

Contact now

Our measures

Mandatory diversity and anti-discrimination training

for managers

Regular further training

on diversity for employees

Corporate strategies

Diversity and anti-discrimination are an integral part

Company representative

for Diversity, Gender and Inclusion

Consistent attitude

against any form of discrimination through zero tolerance

Life-phase-oriented HR policy

We have been certified as a family-friendly employer for many years

Strong representation of interests

Equal Opportunities Commissioner and Representative for Employees with Disabilities elected by the workforce

Staff initiatives

Strong employee commitment

Diversity dimensions

Our strength lies in our diversity. Diversity is therefore firmly anchored in our culture and our processes. We always consider the various dimensions in context, because different characteristics such as origin, gender or age together shape a person's identity and experiences.

Graphic with a colourful segmented circle showing the dimensions of diversity

People from around 150 nations and different ethnic backgrounds work in our intercultural teams. We promote awareness of diversity, anti-discrimination and intercultural skills through training and events, for example. Many colleagues are involved in voluntary work on topics such as cultural diversity, anti-racism and post-colonialism.

Equal opportunities are a central component of our corporate culture. This shapes the mission statement and values and is incorporated into processes and decisions. Through our Gender and Equal Opportunities Commissioners, we are specifically committed to gender justice, fair opportunities and actively practiced diversity in the workplace.

Inclusion means that all people can participate in life freely and in a s self-determined way – no matter what their requirements may be. We are committed to this and create a working environment in which everyone is welcome. Teams work together openly and respectfully and we make sure that our workplaces are as barrier-free as possible.

Gender justice

Manjulaben Narayanbhai Prajapati and her husband Jaisangbhai — © GIZ/Kishan Malabhai Meriya

Equality is the key to a just future. We are therefore consistently committed to ensuring that all people have the same opportunities and rights, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or gender identity. We practice this internally as well as in our orders worldwide.

Equal opportunities with a plan and a goal

We are actively committed to fair and respectful coexistence – regardless of gender, identity or life situation. An internal plan sets out clear goals: more women in management positions, fair pay and a better work-life balance. Across the board, gender equality within the company follows an intersectional, non-binary approach.

Concrete measures range from training to health programmes, for example:

leadership training for women to empower them on their career path
emergency supplies of menstrual products at all German sites
men’s consultation hours and the men@work initiative to actively involve all genders

													49.1
													 %
							

of all management positions are held by women

													4
													years
							

is the term of our equality plan

Gender mainstreaming

Social inequalities define societies worldwide. At the same time, anti-gender movements are gaining influence. They jeopardise achievements in gender equality and equal opportunities and slow down future progress.

We are countering these developments with a clear stance: we actively promote gender equality – in international cooperation as well as at GIZ. With our Gender Strategy 2025–2029, we have created a framework that provides guidance for all employees.

In particular, GIZ’s more than 500 gender focal points in our countries of assignment and in Germany are committed to bringing the Gender Strategy to life. With our Gender Strategy, we want to:

Tackle the causes of gender-specific discrimination
Promote gender equality together with change agents
Sustainably anchor equal opportunities in the company.

Our gender strategy 2025–2029

Our vision: United in promoting gender equality and equal opportunities at GIZ and around the world.

Learn more

Inclusion of people with disabilities

Close-up of hands typing on a Braille display in front of a laptop. — © Marina Weigl

We are committed to the inclusion of people with disabilities worldwide – in our own teams and in international assignments. We advise governments in our countries of assignment and help implement the ‘Amman-Berlin Declaration’. In this agreement, the signatories have committed to dedicating 15 percent of their international development and aid programmes to people with disabilities.

Diversity is created through inclusive structures, active appreciation and the goal of breaking down barriers. This is how we make inclusion visible – and work across borders.

Portrait

A lawyer for inclusion

How a blind lawyer from Ethiopia ended up at GIZ in Bonn and why he feels very much at home there.

More

Ein lächelnder Mann in einem hellen Sakko und blauen Hemd steht vor einem modernen Bürogebäude mit Glasfassade.

Inclusion within the company

We ensure that all individuals can participate on an equal footing. This includes a working environment in which everyone is welcome. This is how we put inclusion into practice:

Inclusion agreement: specifically creates more jobs for people with disabilities
Binding agreements with all areas within the company, with tailored solutions for the respective needs
Network with transparent contact structures to anchor the topic over the long term
Inclusion guides as multipliers and pilots
Inclusion support for barrier-free orientation at our locations.

Accessible job applications

Our application process is accessible. Use the online portal or give us a call – together we will find the right method for your application.

More about the accessible applications process 2025–2029

„Vielfalt im Unternehmen macht uns nachweislich erfolgreicher und innovativer. Sie ist kein Nice to have', sondern ein ‚Must-have'" - Janina Fischer, Diversitätsbeauftragte der GIZ

„Die ethnische Vielfalt in der GIZ trägt vielfältige Perspektiven, kulturelle Kompetenzen und innovative Ideen zur Bewältigung globaler Herausforderungen bei." - Anthony Okelo, GIZ Afrikanische Union

„Ich schätze das Engagement der GIZ für religiöse Vielfalt, weil es ein integratives Umfeld schafft, in dem Menschen mit unterschiedlichem Glaubenshintergrund zusammenarbeiten, lernen und zu gemeinsamen Zielen beitragen können." - Sarwat Sughra Diversitätsmanagerin, GIZ Pakistan

„Früher hatte ich viel mit meiner queeren Identität zu kämpfen. Durch die Arbeit bei der GIZ habe ich meinen inneren Frieden gefunden, weil meine Kolleg*innen Vielfalt in allen Lebensbereichen anerkennen und sich für den Schutz der universellen Menschenrechte einsetzen." - Linh Nguyen Duy, GIZ Vietnam

„Repräsentation auf allen Ebenen ist wichtig - auch für Menschen mit Ostbiografie. Dafür setzen wir uns in der GIZ ein." - Alexander Nebelung Mitgründer der Mitarbeiter*innen-Initiative OstWind

„Die Vielfalt unserer Mitarbeitenden und das große Potenzial diverser Teams sind essenziell für den langfristigen Erfolg der GIZ." - Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, Vorstandssprecher der GIZ

„Altersvielfalt sorgt für einen stetigen Wissens- und Erfahrungsaustausch zwischen Jung und Alt. In der GIZ arbeiten wir generationsübergreifend und erzielen so optimale Arbeitsergebnisse." - Klara Buttgereit, Auszubildende bei der GIZ

„Diversität ist Vielfalt und Inklusion ist der Klebstoff, der die Dimensionen verbindet. Wir lernen und wachsen miteinander, als Menschen und Unternehmen. Ein echtes Erlebnis." - Stefanie Latter, Gesamt-Schwerbehindertenvertretung

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Work-life balance

We are committed to ensuring that work and private life are compatible – for all employees, regardless of family type or stage of life. We have specific offers for this:

Flexible working hours and part-time work
Mobile working
Company-run childcare centres in Eschborn and Bonn
Parent-child offices at all locations
Support and advice for caring for relatives
Health promotion and stress prevention

We have been certified in accordance with the berufundfamilie^® audit since 2006. The Hertie Foundation regularly confirms our status as a family-friendly company.

Downloads

GIZ-Genderstrategie (2025-2029) DE

pdf

3.9 MB