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 signaling 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 Implementation & Support:

  • Implement the New Energy Vehicle strategy of the JET skills ecosystem within the SDZ.
  • Provide technical support and guidance to local training providers, industry partners, and institutions on New Energy Vehicle skills development.
  • Work to align skills development initiatives with industry standards, policies, and evolving technology trends in NEV.

Stakeholder Engagement:

  • Coordinate with local stakeholders, including government representatives, private sector entities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), and civil society organizations.
  • Serve as the primary contact for NEV stakeholders in the SDZ, facilitating communication and collaboration.
  • Participate in National JET Skills Advisory Forum discussions as needed, providing insights and updates from the SDZ.

Skills Development Program Management:

  • Identify key skills gaps within the NEV sectors in consultation with local industry and training partners.
  • Work with training institutions to develop, update, and improve curricula in NEV based on industry needs.
  • Support the implementation of training programs and capacity-building workshops within the SDZ.

Research & Data Collection:

  • Conduct local research on skills needs, challenges, and best practices in NEVs.
  • Gather data on program outcomes, including trainee placement rates, skill gaps, and employment trends, to inform decision-making.
  • Coordinate with the National JET Skills Advisory Forum’s research coordination team to support broader data collection efforts.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting:

  • Develop and implement a local monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework NEV skills initiatives within the SDZ.
  • Track the progress of programs, identify areas for improvement, and report findings to the Chief Technical Advisor and JET Skills Desk.
  • Prepare and submit regular progress reports, highlighting successes, challenges, and recommendations.

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

Compliance and Quality Assurance: 

  • Ensure that all training programmes and initiatives within the SDZ adhere to the JET ecosystem’s standards and guidelines.
  • Conduct quality checks on training materials and methods, ensuring alignment with industry best practices.
  • Address any compliance issues and work with partners to maintain high standards of program delivery

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES AND EXPRERIENCES

Qualifications:

  • A bachelor’s degree in education, Policy Studies, Development Economics or a related qualification.
  • A master’s degree will be advantageous.

Professional Experience:

  • A minimum of 5 to 8 years of professional experience in renewable energy, energy transmission, green hydrogen, or electric vehicle sectors
  • Proven experience in implementing skills development programs, especially in collaboration with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions or Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
  • Experience in working with or for an international development organisation
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the South African energy sector and NEV, policies, and regulatory frameworks
  • Experience in stakeholder engagement, including collaboration with government entities, private sector partners and educational institutions
  • Familiarity with monitoring, evaluation and reporting processes for training or development projects

Technical Expertise:

  • Strong understanding of NEV technologies, energy transmission systems and green hydrogen or electric vehicle value chains
  • Knowledge of curriculum development and skills alignment with industry requirements

Project Management:

  • Experience in managing multiple tasks and projects simultaneously
  • Proficiency in planning, coordinating, and delivering training and capacity-building initiatives

Stakeholder Engagement:

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders
  • Ability to foster partnerships between local institutions, industries and government bodies.

Research and Analytical Skills:

  • Capability to conduct local research on skills needs and trends in NEV sector
  • Ability to analyse program outcomes and provide actionable insights
  • Experience in designing and implementing M&E frameworks to track project outcomes and impact
  • Familiarity with data collection and reporting methods for skills development programmes.

Adaptability and Innovation:

  • Ability to adapt to evolving energy technologies and integrate global best practices into local contexts
  • A proactive approach to identifying challenges and proposing solutions;

Beneficial Skills:

  • Proficiency in software tools for project management, data analysis and reporting
  • Knowledge of South Africa’s educational and training systems, especially in the TVET and HEI sectors.

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 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.