Senior Technical Advisor: Secretariat for the South African – German Energy Partnership

Reports to:

Cluster Coordinator Energy

Duty Station:

Hatfield, Pretoria

Duration:

Until 31 December 2026 (with possible extension)

 

BACKGROUND

The Energy Partnership between South Africa and Germany promotes the energy policy dialogue between the two countries. It also promotes trade, industry and research cooperation for the mutual benefit of South Africa and Germany.

Currently, the focus areas of the partnership are:

  • the future power sector (e.g. private sector participation in transmission, digitalization, flexibilization, renewable power generation)
  • the green hydrogen economy and power-to-x applications
  • green industrial value chains (e.g. electric mobility, batteries, PV components, energy transition metals)

The Secretariat of the South African - German Energy Partnership coordinates the bilateral energy policy dialogue. This includes the facilitation of high-level political dialogues; engagement of stakeholders from governments, private sector, research institutions and civil society; support to delegations and expert exchanges; conferences and energy days; policy advice; and support for lighthouse projects.

More information about the South African – German Energy Partnership is available on our website or on LinkedIn. Additional information about the bilateral Climate, Energy and Hydrogen Partnerships of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is also available online.

 

 

  1. TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Senior Technical Advisor liaises closely with the Head of the Secretariat for the coordination of bilateral energy policy dialogue and carries substantial responsibilities for the successful implementation of all activities of the Secretariat.

This includes:

Stakeholder management

  • Liaison with the responsible ministries in South Africa (Department of Mineral Resources and Energy / as of April: Department of Energy and Electricity) and in Germany (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action) in close coordination with the Head of Secretariat
  • Liaison with other relevant stakeholders in South Africa and Germany. This includes government departments, agencies, finance institutions, business associations, research institutions and civil society organisations

Technical and policy advice

  • Primary responsibility for the successful implementation of the Secretariat’s work plan
  • Programmatic and logistical support to delegations, conferences, expert exchanges
  • Management of complex technical, policy or finance-related studies
  • Procurement and management of external service providers (e.g. research consultancies, conferencing and logistics service providers)

Research and Analysis

  • Continuous analysis of relevant energy, climate, trade and industry related policy developments in South Africa and associated stakeholder mapping; assessment of its impacts on the relations with Germany / EU and opportunities and risks for bilateral cooperation.
  • Development of briefing and background materials for the principal ministries and other key stakeholders
  • Development of standardised communication products on policy trends (e.g. factsheets, bi-monthly policy updates)

Knowledge management and reporting

  • Ongoing activity monitoring and documentation in line with GIZ formats and standards
  • Responsible for knowledge management system for the project
  • Reporting as per requirements of GIZ and principal ministries

  1. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES AND EXPRERIENCES

Required qualifications:

  • A master’s degree in political sciences, economics, engineering, or a comparable academic qualification
  • A minimum of 10 years’ work experience in climate and energy policy or international trade and industry cooperation
  • Extensive and demonstrable experience in issues of energy policy, decarbonisation of industry and transport, clean energy supply chains
  • Extensive and demonstrable experience in working with South African government stakeholders
  • Demonstrable experience in international cooperation and a strong understanding of South Africa’s international relations
  • Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and facilitation skills and high sensitivity for complex stakeholder relations
  • Full professional English language proficiency

Additional qualifications:

  • Good understanding of German and EU policy towards South Africa
  • Knowledge of GIZ processes and regulation is desirable but not required
  • German language proficiency is an advantage but is not required

  1. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • The position will be based at GIZ in Hatfield, Pretoria.
  • The contract period for this position is until 31 December 2026 with the possibility of 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.

  1. 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: EP Secretariat” for the attention of Head of Human Resource.

The deadline for applications is 09th April 2025. Only shortlisted candidates who meet the above requirements will be contacted.