Latest Jobs 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.
   

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Background

• South Africa holds a unique position in the global energy transition. With excellent renewable energy potential, established industrial infrastructure, and access to critical raw materials such as platinum, vanadium, chromium, nickel, and manganese, the country is strategically placed to become a hub for green hydrogen and battery value chain (BVC) development.
• The battery and green hydrogen sectors are key pillars in the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP) and the Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan (JET-IP) approved by Cabinet in November 2023. They are vital for decarbonisation, job creation, and the future of the South African automotive industry.
• Despite this promise, challenges remain: uncertain market development, limited capacities, skills gaps, and the need to integrate strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
• To address these, GIZ is implementing the H2.SA II/BVC Programme, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union, in close cooperation with the South African government. The programme supports policy, private sector cooperation, capacity building, sustainability, and battery value chain development.
• The position of Technical Advisor: Trade and Incentives is embedded in Workstream 5 and focuses on creating framework conditions and supporting international trade for the battery value chain.

Your Contribution
As Technical Advisor: Trade and Incentives, you will:

• Identify, plan, and implement support activities for instruments that strengthen a sustainable South African battery value chain
• Provide policy advice on trade and incentive mechanisms to stimulate and grow the battery and critical raw materials sectors
• Support government partners in planning and implementing incentive measures for sustainable value chain development
• Collaborate closely with other programme components on international trade, ESG integration, and sectoral development
• Conceptualise, manage, and monitor advisory projects, including supervising assignments of national and international consultancies
• Build and manage strong relationships with stakeholders across government, industry, finance, and international partners
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and communication through workshops, seminars, study tours, and other platforms for dialogue

What You Will Need to Succeed
Qualifications:

• A tertiary degree in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Engineering, or a relevant science degree (B.Sc)

Professional Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in public sector policies, trade incentive schemes, project finance, trade promotion, or a combination of these fields
• Demonstrated success in project and process management
• Experience in designing and implementing measures to promote sustainable economic development and value chain growth
• Understanding of international battery value chain trade mechanisms
• Familiarity with South Africa’s energy, renewable, critical raw material, and battery sectors, including policies, strategies, and incentives
• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement across public and private sectors

Skills and Attributes:

• Strong analytical, structured, and methodical working style
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a multicultural team
• Excellent communication and writing skills in English
• Capacity to manage complex partner relations and multi-stakeholder processes
   

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Background

• South Africa is uniquely positioned to develop value chains for green hydrogen and its derivatives (Power-to-X, PtX), thanks to abundant renewable energy resources, established industrial infrastructure, and critical raw materials (CRMs) such as platinum, vanadium, chromium, nickel, and manganese. These materials are of high economic importance for industrial processes, battery production, digitalisation, and the broader energy transition.
• With a strong mining and refining sector and a skilled workforce, South Africa is well placed to become a regional hub for CRMs, while building local green hydrogen and battery value chains. The development of a sustainable battery value chain (BVC) is also critical for the future of the South African automotive industry, which is a strategic pillar of the economy.
• Both hydrogen and battery value chains are recognised in the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP) and the Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan, approved by Cabinet in November 2023, as priority sectors for targeted investment.
• However, challenges remain: uncertain market development, skills gaps, insufficient coordination, and the integration of strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
• To address these challenges, 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 programme strengthens policy frameworks, supports private sector cooperation, builds capacity, promotes sustainability, and develops the battery value chain.
• The role of Technical Advisor: Value Chain Development and Recycling is embedded in Workstream 5, with a specific focus on sustainable BVC development, ESG, standards, certification, recycling, and civil society engagement.

Your Contribution
As Technical Advisor: Value Chain Development and Recycling, you will:

• Identify, plan, and implement activities that advance a sustainable battery value chain in South Africa.
• Develop and implement strategies on standards, certification, and recycling, including adoption of the international battery passport
• Support the creation of a recycling strategy for the South African battery sector
• Facilitate community participation and civil society engagement in the development of the BVC
• Showcase South Africa’s sustainable BVC to potential investors and international off-takers
• Strengthen collaboration with stakeholders to promote ESG compliance and transparent procurement chains as a competitive advantage
• Support South African stakeholders in accessing international trade mechanisms and positioning the BVC globally
• Coordinate and manage external service providers, consultancies, and partners
• Plan and implement workshops, seminars, study tours, and other knowledge-sharing activities across industry, government, and civil society

What You Will Need to Succeed

Qualifications:

• A tertiary degree in Engineering, Economics, Environmental Management, or another relevant field

Professional Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in ESG frameworks, sustainable value chain development, international trade, trade promotion, or related fields
• Demonstrated success in project and process management
• Proven experience in developing and implementing measures to support sustainable economic development and value chain growth
• Knowledge of international battery value chain trade mechanisms
• Familiarity with South Africa’s energy, renewable, critical raw materials, new energy vehicle, and battery sectors
• Experience with recycling, particularly in battery re-use and recycling
• Experience in building and managing partnerships with both public and private stakeholders

Skills and Attributes:

• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary, diverse, and complex environment
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• A structured, methodical approach with the ability to work both independently and within a team
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English

go to method of application »

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