Advisor for Private Sector

  • Full Time
  • Lusaka, Zambia
  • Negotiable / Month
  • Applications have closed

GIZ

GIZ

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is the implementing agency of the Federal Republic of Germany for technical and international cooperation. It offers flexible, sustainable and effective solutions in political, economic and social change processes. Most of the work of GIZ is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). GIZ also operates on behalf of other German ministries as well as public and private bodies in Germany and abroad. These include the European Commission, the United Nations, the World Bank and governments of other countries.

Green People’s Energy (GPE) aims to improve the conditions for decentralised energy supply in rural areas in selected African countries, involving both the civil society and the private sector. To this end, the programme has activities in nine countries across Sub-Sahara Africa, including Zambia. Green People’s Energy was commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, with a project duration until September 2022.

In Zambia, the project focuses on vocational training and education on off-grid solar technology by improving the skills of the front-line water, agricultural and electrical technicians in solar energy applications in Lusaka and Southern Province. GPE cooperates with its partners in order to develop one or more up-to-date short-term courses on off-grid solar PV technology installation. The project activities include (1) the development of curricula, (2) training of trainers and course implementation for students at four selected vocational training institutions, and (3) awareness raising on solar quality standards.

In this context, GIZ is seeking a suitable candidate for the following position:

Advisor – Private Sector (Lusaka based)

REF: GIZ_GPE_PRIV

Main tasks and responsibilities:

  • Fostering a well-coordinated relationship between potential employers from the private sector (skills demand side) and the vocational training institutions (VTIs) (skills supply side)
  • Coordinating private sector contribution to the planned Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) measures, including the development of a solar installer curriculum, strengthening the sector coordination and awareness raising on solar quality standards

Technical support to partners from the private sector

  • Managing stakeholder engagement from the private sector in the planned TVET measures both during the conceptualisation, implementation and assessment phase
  • Advising the off-grid solar technology private sector, e.g. on the involvement in the curricula development, identification of private sector skills requirements, promotion of gender mainstreaming, etc.
  • Developing an excellent working relationship between GIZ, the Solar Industry Association of Zambia and its members, other solar companies and agricultural, water and/or women’s cooperatives and companies that have an interest in the application of off-grid solar technologies
  • Supporting the Solar Industry Association of Zambia in its operations
  • Providing technical support to training participants from the private sector and supporting sector coordination,
  • Developing a strategy with the private sector on how to integrate practical training in companies into or additional to the short-term course
  • Conceptualising and implementing awareness campaigns around decentralised solar energy (quality standards, benefits, productive usage, etc.)
  • Promoting social inclusion and gender mainstreaming in all activities

Coordination, monitoring and knowledge management

  • Organising private sector stakeholder, partner and committee meetings,
  • Managing the input from the companies, external short- and long-term experts, and interns in the sector coordination and ensuring quality delivery,
  • Fostering knowledge exchange between colleagues within GIZ Zambia and partner organisations
  • Compiling factsheets on private sector involvement, newsletter articles and analyses in collaboration with various GIZ programmes at headquarters and Zambia with input from the project management
  • Monitoring and recording progress against the project’s indicators,
  • Sharing knowledge on local, regional and international platforms, e.g. communities of practice, energy conferences, etc.
  • Supporting internal project planning, operations planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of the GPE project

Other duties/additional tasks

  • Performing any other duties/tasks as requested by the project management

Qualifications and requirements:

  • Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. Business Administration, Energy Studies, Environmental Management/Sciences or Economics); a master’s degree is an added advantage

Professional experience:

  • At least 5 years of managerial and institutional experience in business associations, private sector companies or NGOs in the energy field
  • At least 3 years’ work experience in the Zambian (solar/decentralised) energy sector is preferable
  • Strong personal network in Zambia’s (solar/decentralised) energy-related sector, ideally with the private sector
  • Demonstrable advisory and facilitation skills
  • Demonstrable experience in engaging with associations, cooperatives and education and training institutions
  • Previous experience in working on gender mainstreaming is an added advantage
  • Experience in working with or engaging with TVET institutions is an added advantage
  • Experience in working for an international organisation is an added advantage

Knowledge, additional competences:

  • Must be self-motivated and proactive
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Knowledge of the application of renewable energy technologies in the agricultural sector is an asset
  • High fluency in English, especially strong writing skills
  • Ability to manage and prioritise own workload
  • Excellent IT skills (MS Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; online research); ability to learn new tools an added advantage
  • Fluency in Tonga and/or Nyanja, both written and oral, are an added advantage

The successful candidate will be expected to start employment with GIZ, on a full-time basis, as soon as possible. The contract shall be for a fixed term with a possibility of renewal. Interested candidates must send the CV and a cover letter electronically, quoting the reference GIZ_GPE_PRIV in the subject line to: [email protected] by 15:00 hrs on Friday, 13th November 2020. Certificates, qualifications, etc. must not be attached to the application. In addition, traceable references of previous engagements must be provided. Please note that only applicants selected for interview will be contacted. GIZ is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. Therefore, women and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.


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