Revenue Enhancement for Climate Resilient Urban Development Advisor

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.

The Urbanisation and Decentralisation for Development programme (UD4D) supports the Zambian government in fostering climate-resilient urbanization. Its goal is to enhance the capacity of selected municipalities to implement just and climate-resilient urban development strategies. Working with the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, and municipalities such as Livingstone, Choma, Mazabuka, Mansa, Samfya, and, to a certain extent the city of Lusaka, the programme engages at both national and sub-national levels, including citizen groups and CSOs. The programme aims to:

1. Strengthen municipal planning capacities.
2. Improve financial capacities of municipalities.
3. Enhance civil society participation.
4. Promote technical dialogue between state and civil society.

Improving municipalities revenue generation capacity is vital for sustainable urban development, enabling better local project execution and addressing community needs for long-term resilience.

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

Revenue Enhancement for Climate Resilient Urban Development Advisor, Band 4  (based in Lusaka)

REF: GIZ_UD4D_REA

The expert will support the enhancement of the financial capacity of selected municipalities to generate own-source revenue. They will play a key role in strengthening the financial management systems and processes, capacity, and mechanisms for municipal revenue collection, with a specific focus on supporting climate-resilient and inclusive urban development.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance to local authorities for a sustainable local revenue generation with focus on own source revenue and fiscal transfers from the central government
• Support for credible budgeting, i.e. planning and financing of development projects in the budget including necessary investments for digitalization processes and tools
• Develop and implement a concept for individual capacity enhancement and organisational development for better revenue generation and management, budgeting and financing of projects and processes
• Support on improving relevant data collection and management for budgeting, financing of development projects
• Support on transparent revenue expenditure reporting to the citizens and the government, as well as digitalization of respective reporting processes and tools
• Support the integration of climate resilience and green budgeting into municipal financial planning and budgeting processes.
• Advise on innovative financing mechanisms that can support climate resilience, including public-private partnerships and green finance initiatives.
• Collaborate with other experts and stakeholders in the programme to ensure synergies between revenue enhancement efforts and broader urban development objectives.
• Monitor, evaluate, and report on the progress and effectiveness of revenue enhancement strategies and the quality of financial reporting in the mentioned municipalities

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Statistics, Economics, or a related field.
• Master’s or equivalent in Finance, Statistics, Economics, or a related field.
• Applicants are expected to have their academic certificates verified by Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA)

Professional experience

• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in municipal finance, public revenue management, with a focus on enhancing local revenue generation.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in capacity-building and training of local government staff
• Several years of working experience with an international development cooperation organisation
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing strategies for improving municipal financial systems and revenue generation.
• Strong understanding of the links between urban development, climate resilience, and municipal finance.
• Proven ability to work with local government officials, councillors, citizen groups, urban planners, and other key stakeholders in a multi-disciplinary environment.

Other knowledge and additional competences

• Very good communication and analytical skills
• Team player and openness for sharing proactive feedback and receiving constructive feedback
• Familiarity with the challenges and opportunities in the Zambian context, particularly with regard to urbanization and climate resilience, is an advantage
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of local languages is a plus.

The successful candidate will be expected to start employment with GIZ, on a fixed term contract.

Application deadline: 19 May 2025

Please understand that we can only accept and process applications via our E-recruiting system. Applications should meet the following criteria:

The cover letter quoting the reference: REF: GIZ_UD4D_REA must be uploaded using font type Arial, size 11. In the first paragraph, please outline your motivation for applying for the position. In the second paragraph, outline your experience in the position.

• CVs must be submitted in PDF not exceeding three (3) pages. Do not indicate your marital status, religion, political affiliation or insert your photo.
• Certificates, qualifications, etc. must not be attached to the application.
• Traceable references of previous engagements must be provided.

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 or age.

GIZ would like to increase the proportion of employees with disability. People with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.