Technical Advisor: Private Sector & Finance at GIZ South Africa, Lesotho & eSwatini

About the Role

• South Africa is poised to become a global leader in green hydrogen and Power-to-X (PtX) markets, with significant potential for economic development, job creation, and sustainable growth. To unlock this opportunity, GIZ is implementing the H2.SA project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union, in partnership with the Department of Electricity and Energy.
• We are seeking a Technical Advisor: Private Sector and Finance to join our dynamic team. This role is embedded in Workstream 2, focusing on supporting private project developers in bringing their projects to bankability, while working closely with financial institutions, investors, and provincial agencies.
• This is a chance to be at the forefront of shaping South Africa’s green hydrogen economy and contributing to a just energy transition.

Your Contribution

As a Technical Advisor, you will:

• Support the implementation of H2.SA activities that drive the establishment of a green hydrogen export economy in South Africa
• Act as a key account manager for one province (likely Northern or Western Cape), fostering strong relationships with provincial economic development agencies and ensuring regular engagement
• Engage continuously with stakeholders such as project developers, banks, and provincial development agencies to understand needs and translate them into tailored activities
• Design work packages and develop terms of reference (TORs) for GIZ procurement processes
• Provide direct advisory services to stakeholders and partners
• Select, contract, and manage service providers, overseeing budgets, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation
• Plan and manage events, from coordination and moderation to reporting
• Coordinate activities across H2.SA workstreams and with other GIZ programmes
• Potentially support the H2Uppp project component focused on implementing public-private partnerships in the PtX sector

What You Will Need to Succeed
Qualifications:

• A relevant tertiary degree in Economics, Business Administration, Environmental Sciences, or Engineering

Professional Experience:

• At least 2 years of relevant work experience in renewable energy, sustainable project development, infrastructure project finance, or business consulting
• Familiarity with the South African energy sector and related policies. Existing networks in the energy landscape are advantageous
• Exposure to green hydrogen, PtX, or energy transition issues, with proven willingness to build further expertise
• Experience in project and process management, including working with consultancies and financial institutions

Skills and Attributes:

• Strong analytical, structured, and consultant-style approach to work.
• Ability to operate autonomously and within a multicultural team.
• Proven communication skills for engaging effectively with stakeholders at different levels.
• Excellent writing and spoken English.
• Organisational skills with the ability to prioritise, meet deadlines, and manage budgets.