Technical Advisor: Private Sector and Finance for Battery Value Chain Development at GIZ South Africa, Lesotho & eSwatini

Background

• South Africa is strategically positioned to develop value chains for green hydrogen and its derivatives (Power-to-X, PtX) and for battery technologies, thanks to world-class renewable energy potential, an established industrial base, and access to critical raw materials such as platinum, vanadium, chromium, nickel, and manganese.
• These resources are vital for industrial processes, digitalisation, new energy vehicle (NEV) technology, and the global energy transition. Combined with South Africa’s strong mining and refining sector and skilled workforce, the country is well placed to become a regional hub for critical raw materials and battery value chain (BVC) development.
• The Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP) and the Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan (JET-IP), approved by Cabinet in November 2023, highlight green hydrogen, batteries, and new energy vehicles as priority investment pillars. The JET-IP aims to reduce transport sector emissions, expand manufacturing, and foster socio-economic benefits. The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has been mandated to host the JET NEV Programme Management Office (PMO), which coordinates five workstreams: Auto sector, Mobility and Logistics, Public Transport, Battery Value Chain, and Shared Charging Infrastructure.
• Despite this potential, challenges remain – uncertain market development, capacity gaps, lack of coordination, and integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
• To address these, GIZ is implementing the H2.SA II/BVC programme, on behalf of the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in close cooperation with the South African government.
• The Technical Advisor: Private Sector and Finance will play a key role in supporting private sector projects, engaging with financial institutions, and enabling investment into South Africa’s battery and critical raw material value chains.

Your Contribution
As Technical Advisor: Private Sector and Finance, you will:

• Enable private sector projects to reach implementation stage through targeted support
• Identify, plan, and implement support activities with active battery assemblers in South Africa
• Provide technical and financial advisory services to companies in the CRM and battery industries, focusing on business development, market access, and project finance
• Facilitate collaboration with financial institutions (IDC, DFIs such as KfW and EIB) to unlock investment for beneficiation, battery assembly, EV applications, and related technologies
• Support the IDC JET NEV Programme Management Office in coordinating workstreams, developing implementation plans, preparing materials, and managing work packages
• Foster collaboration between academia and private sector to drive applied research and innovation
• Coordinate with international and local financing institutions to support investment in BVC and CRM projects
• Provide input for policy reform, regulations, and incentives to create an enabling environment for investment
• Support implementation of pilot projects in the battery value chain
• Manage consultancies, service providers, and stakeholder cooperation across multiple sectors
• Facilitate communication, workshops, study tours, and knowledge sharing across government, industry, and civil society

What You Will Need to Succeed
Qualifications:

• A tertiary degree in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Engineering, or a relevant science field

Professional Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in private sector finance, international finance, project development, renewable energy, infrastructure finance, or public-private cooperation
• Demonstrated success in project and process management
• Experience in designing and implementing measures to promote economic development across multiple sectors
• Understanding of international battery value chains and market development
• Familiarity with South Africa’s energy, renewable, CRM, NEV, and battery sectors
• Knowledge of JET-P financing mechanisms or other funding instruments
• Experience in building and managing multi-stakeholder partnerships

Skills and Attributes:

• Strong financial and market development insight with the ability to advise private companies
• Capacity to work in a multi-disciplinary and diverse environment
• Structured, methodical approach with ability to manage complex projects
• Excellent communication and writing skills in English