Senior Technical Advisor - CP4DE

Salary Band 4T

Reports to: Component Lead – CPD4E Programme

Duty Station: Department of Higher Education and Training

Duration: Until 29 February 2028

BACKGROUND

The Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP) developed by the JET Project Management Unit under the Presidency has set out the priorities for the Energy transition of South Africa. Within this plan, it is proposed that a Just Energy Transition Skills Desk (JET Desk) be established to coordinate skills development activities. Furthermore, it also proposed the establishment of three Skills Development Zones (SDZs) that will promote and catalyse skills interventions in the Green Hydrogen, Renewables and New Energy Vehicles value chains.

The JET Desk aims to create an agile, inclusive and coordinated skills ecosystem that empowers South Africa’s workforce to thrive in a sustainable and equitable Just Energy Transition. The Desk will be the central coordinating body for skills development activities related to South Africa’s Just Energy Transition. It aims to ensure that workforce development efforts are strategically aligned, well-governed and responsive to the needs of a rapidly evolving green economy, by fostering collaboration among stakeholders and anchoring skills initiatives within core planning processes. The JET Desk will play a pivotal role in signalling emerging opportunities while prioritising inclusivity and equity. The scope of the Desk’s work encompasses the entire post-school education and training system and spans all sectors of the economy. In the short term, the focus will be on the three identified sectors in the JET Implementation Plan— Renewable Energy and Transmission, Hydrogen Economy and New Energy Vehicles.

Furthermore, the JET Desk will implement the following interventions:

  • Capacity development of stakeholders
  • New programme/curriculum development in Hydrogen and New Energy Vehicles
  • Support for Technical and Vocational Colleges in implementing newly developed programmes
  • A career guidance programme for young women in the energy sector
  • Support with labour market information systems to facilitate the Just Transition
  • Monitor the delivery of the JET Skills Implementation Plan across all workstreams, ensuring key role-player participation
  • Set up the national platforms for data and research co-ordination
  • Provide progress reports to JET PMU in the Presidency for the JET Government Steering Committee and JET Inter-Ministerial Committee reviews
  • Manage the JET Skills Forum
  • Establish a link to the Skills Development Zones (SDZs) in selected provinces.
  • The SDZs are conceptualised as a local learning network that will bring together local partners to support localisation and local economic development. The SDZs will be framed around key local anchor educational institutions (which could be a TVET or centre of specialisation) and will be sites of local implementation, catalytic interventions and partnerships with business and educational institutions.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Technical Leadership and Strategy Development:
  • Lead the operationalization of the JET Skills Desk, providing overall technical oversight, leadership, and management of JET Skills activities.
  • Develop and implement a cohesive strategy for JET skills development in collaboration with government, business, labour, community, and academia.
  • Support alignment of JET skills strategies with South Africa’s energy transition goals.
  • Ensure the establishment and alignment of goals and objectives across Skills Development Zones (SDZs).
  • Develop and implement a cohesive strategy for the JET skills ecosystem in collaboration with HRDC/DHET and partner government departments (DTIC, DSI)
  • Provide technical expertise and direction for skills development in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and electric vehicle sectors
  • Support the alignment of JET skills development strategies with South Africa’s energy transition and localisation objectives

Stakeholder Coordination and Engagement:

  • Report on JET Skills activities at a strategic level to the JET Skills Steering Committee and National JET Skills Advisory Forum, ensuring alignment and feedback from all relevant stakeholders.
  • Facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders, including government entities, private sector partners, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, and civil society
  • Coordinate activities of the National JET Skills Advisory Forum and support advisory groups, ensuring input and feedback from all relevant stakeholders.
  • Work closely with Technical Officers to ensure alignment of goals and objectives across Skills Development Zones (SDZs)

Research and Knowledge Management:

  • Oversee research coordination efforts within the ecosystem to identify and address skill gaps and support local and international research partnerships
  • Ensure timely and accurate dissemination of research findings and insights to all stakeholders
  • Stay updated on global trends and best practices in green skills development and integrate these into JET initiatives

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting:

  • Develop and manage a Monitoring & Evaluation framework to assess progress on JET skills initiatives.
  • Foster partnerships with donor funders to support JET skills development activities, ensuring funding is secured and effectively managed.
  • Prepare regular progress reports and updates for the JET DG Forum, focusing on key performance indicators and alignment with the JET ecosystem's goals
  • Identify and address potential risks and challenges, providing recommendations for corrective action as needed

Capacity Building and Technical Support:

  • Oversee capacity-building efforts related to JET Skills development.
  • Lead capacity-building efforts for stakeholders within the ecosystem, particularly HEIs, TVET institutions, and local industry partners
  • Provide ongoing technical support to the JET Desk and Technical Officers, helping to address challenges and meet objectives in each SDZ

Performance Oversight and Compliance:

  • Oversee performance oversight processes in coordination with the JET DG Forum to ensure project milestones are met
  • Ensure compliance with all relevant policies and regulations and adherence to the ecosystem's standards and guidelines

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES AND EXPRERIENCES

Qualifications:

  • A master’s degree in education, Policy Studies, Development Economics or a related qualification.
  • A minimum of 10 years work experience in the post-school education and training sector, five years of which must be at the senior management level.

Professional Experience:

  • Excellent knowledge and understanding of the legislative and policy context; regulatory frameworks governing the post-school education and training system in South Africa.
  • Strong understanding of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition.
  • Extensive experience in skills policy development, with a focus on aligning educational strategies to national development goals and the Just Energy Transition.
  • Extensive experience in managing and operationalising large-scale skills development projects, both at the national and sectoral levels.
  • Demonstrable experience in the use of monitoring and evaluation tools in the implementation of policies and projects.
  • The appointee must be able to proactively identify and explore areas of synergy with other components of the Department, statutory bodies and other government departments or entities.
  • Strong communication, leadership, and project management skills, with a proven track record of coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives.
  • Demonstrated ability to build partnerships with educational institutions, training providers, and donor funders to secure funding and support for skills development activities.
  • Demonstrated experience in multi-stakeholder coordination and collaboration across government, private sector, academia and civil society

Competencies:

  • Strong understanding of green economy value chains, renewable energy technologies and just energy transition principles
  • Proficiency in developing and implementing skills development plans and strategies tailored to emerging industries
  • Proven ability to lead and manage diverse teams across multiple locations
  • Excellent strategic planning, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities
  • Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
  • Outstanding interpersonal, facilitation and communication skills for engaging with high-level stakeholders
  • Ability to foster partnerships and build consensus among diverse groups
  • Strong research skills, with the ability to analyse complex data and provide actionable insights
  • Capacity to identify and address skill gaps effectively
  • Advanced skills in designing and overseeing M&E frameworks, with a focus on achieving measurable results
  • Familiarity with South Africa’s educational and training systems, including TVETs and HEIs
  • Knowledge of funding mechanisms and donor coordination for large-scale projects

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The position will be based at the Department of Higher Education and Training in Pretoria.

The contract period for this position is until 29 February 2028 with the possibility of an extension

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.

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. 1 page) 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 in PDF format.

The application should be submitted to: recruit-pretoria@giz.de, with the following email subject line “Application for Senior Technical Advisor” for the attention of Head of Human Resource.

The deadline for applications is 18 March 2025.

Only shortlisted candidates who meet the above requirements will be contacted.