Vacancy Announcement

Technical Advisor Digital Economy for GIZ Support to Smart Africa Project

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federally owned international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. The GIZ Office in Kigali covers GIZ’s portfolio in Rwanda and Burundi. GIZ Rwanda/Burundi implements projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Union and other commissioning authorities in the following priority areas: Sustainable Economic Development; Good Governance; Climate, Energy and Sustainable Urban Development; Digital Transformation and Digital Economy; and regional projects in the Great Lakes Region. 

Summary of the Project

The GIZ Project “Acceleration of the Digital Transformation in Africa” works closely with its partner organisation Smart Africa and its Member States to contribute to the vision to create a Single Digital Market. The Project works across Africa and seeks to foster regional economic integration by supporting cross-border implementation of Digital Economy initiatives. To do so, the Project collaborates with Smart Africa on three components:

1. Strengthening of cross-border advisory instruments to support the effective implementation of digital policy initiatives in selected Member States
2. Supporting organisational development by strengthening systems and structures to foster implementation capacities 
3. Mobilisation of partnerships and resources to advance effective implementation and support organisational strategic development

The Project was recently launched and currently assembles the technical team for implementation. Thus, GIZ seeks to recruit a Technical Advisor “Digital Economy” to advise on the implementation of digital initiatives across economic sectors. The role shall be cross-functional with selected focus areas per needs arising. 

Location: Kigali

Fixed Term: 2 years and 2 months (renewable upon review)

Position: one (1)

Start date: 15.03.2025

The Technical Advisor Digital Economy performs the following responsibilities and tasks:

A. Responsibilities

1. Act as a Task Manager to plan, prepare and implement selected Digital Initiatives across economic sectors in Africa based on GIZ/Smart Africa priorities 
2. Advise and implement different digital initiatives in parallel to drive digital economic development across sectors and countries 

B. Tasks 

The Technical Advisor Digital Economy performs the following tasks: 

• Formulate technical documentation to advance project implementation in selected digital economy areas (e.g. Policy Briefs, Recommendations, Concept Note, ToR, Agenda, etc.)
• Provide advisory, quality control and due diligence by reviewing and commenting technical documentation that require inputs from a Digital Economy perspective. 
• Plan, prepare and implement GIZ tender packages (ToR, Budget, etc.) to contract service providers; steer and manage consultancies from technical and budget perspective independently, in close consultation and coordination with Smart Africa. 
• Analyse, research and formulate strategic narratives to contextualize global and regional digital policy initiatives (e.g. Global Digital Compact) for strategic use by GIZ and Smart Africa
• Lead regular operational planning for selected digital initiatives in close cooperation with Smart Africa
• Lead stakeholder engagement and management processes to steer product and/or process development with active partner involvement. 
• Advise Smart Africa on partnership opportunities to contribute to the development and/or implementation of the joint digital initiatives and assist in mobilising partnerships in close cooperation with a Technical Advisor on Partnerships & Resource Mobilisation
• Organise workshops and consultations that provide guidance on digital policy and other GIZ/Smart Africa priorities for knowledge sharing and capacity building
• Provide support to other tasks and duties deemed relevant to the request of management

C. Required Qualifications, Competences and Experience

Qualifications and professional experience

• Master’s degree in technology, Economics, IT, Political Science, Finance or any other related field 
• At least 8 years professional experience in coordinating and implementing digital economy initiatives in various sectors, preferably across African regions
• At least 5 years professional experience in policy research, analysis and writing relevant to the digital economy
• Proven track record of planning, coordinating and steering multiple products and/or process developments in parallel 
• Proven track record of having led stakeholder engagement and management processes 
• Proven track record of advisory/consulting experience

Additional Skills Required

• Carry outstanding work ethic and motivation to act reliable, dedicated, and disciplined without much guidance and supervision. 
• Strong service-oriented thinker to provide professional and proactive advisory to GIZ and GIZ partner organisations. 
• Strong understanding of emerging trends and technologies
• Brings intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and problem solving skills 
• Ability to work independent in a stressful and complex environment and be adaptive to change
• Openness to learn and be flexible to engage in new economic sectors with a high degree of self-studying 
• Ability to implement multiple processes simultaneously 
• Ability to communicate and act diplomatically
• Previous working experience with GIZ and/or the pan-African organisations is an asset
• Excellent IT Skills (Microsoft Office, MS Teams, data management and analysis)
• Excellent communication skills in business English (written, verbal), French is an asset

GIZ will only assess applications which meet the following criteria:

• Cover Letter must clearly state your motivation for applying for the position and outline your competencies why you are the best suited candidate addressing qualifications, competencies and experiences asked for in this advert. Cover Letter must not exceed two (2) pages and be submitted in PDF Format.
• CVs must include three professional references of previous employment including contact details and must not exceed four (4) pages to be submitted in PDF format.

Interested candidates should submit their application (motivation letter, updated CV, certificates and references), via our electronic job portal by using the button; until 23^rd February 2025 at 4:00 PM. 

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, age or sexual orientation. We support equal opportunities and welcome applications from people with disabilities. 

This includes the provision of reasonable accommodation, if needed, in order to participate in the job application and interview process and to perform essential job functions. Please let us know, if you have any particular requirements should you be invited for assessment/interview or that you wish us to consider, when considering your application. 

Women and persons with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for test and interview.

GIZ Office Rwanda

KN 41 St. / Nr.17, Kiyovu 

P.O. Box 59, Kigali, 

Rwanda

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