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 “Integrated Water Catchment Management and Landscape Protection (AWARE 2.0)” project is cofinanced by the European Union (EU) and the Federal Ministry of Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ. AWARE 2.0 aims at “Improved integrated management of water catchments including landscape protection with a focus on agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, water and climate”. The project works on national and at local level with focus on the Lower Kafue Sub-Catchment (LKSC) addressing the following intervention areas:

1. Improved capacities of the central government to execute its mandate for the integrated management of water catchments, including landscape protection with a focus on climate adaptation
2. Improved capacities of decentralised authorities to plan, protect and sustainably manage water catchment ecosystems with focus on climate adaptation in the selected landscape
3. Improved capacities of Water Resources Management (WRM) governance structures to sustainably manage water resource disputes in the LKSC
4. Scaled-up measures for water catchment management, landscape restoration and protection and climate adaptation

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

Decentralisation Advisor – (based in Southern Province)

REF: GIZ_WARE_DA

As decentralization expert you are spearheading the cooperation with local authorities in the AWARE 2.0 project area. You are leading the implementation of activities contributing to improved capacities of decentralised authorities to plan, protect and sustainably manage water catchment ecosystems with focus on climate adaptation in the selected landscape.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Spearhead capacity development of decentralised structures for integrated water catchment management and landscape protection
• Support to decentralised coordination mechanisms for improved integrated water catchment management and landscape protection
• Strengthen the planning and management capacities of local authorities to plan, implement and mobilize resources for integrated water catchment management and landscape protection
• Engagement for planning and implementation of restauration and protection measures
• Contribute decentralisation expertise to mandate mapping and policy recommendations on central government level
• Contribute decentralisation expertise to the development of a financing strategy for water catchment management and landscape
• Responsibility for engagement with local authorities

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. Development Studies, Geography, Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Management/Science, etc)
• A master’s degree in relevant field will be an added advantage

Professional experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience working on the implementation of the decentralization efforts and policies by GRZ
• Demonstrable experience in working with decentralised structures including local authorities
• Demonstrable experience with decentralised planning, coordination and financing mechanisms
• Demonstrable experience in decentral stakeholder coordination and participatory planning processes
• Good understanding of Climate Change in Zambia
• Experience in working or engaging with the private sector is desirable
• Experience with landscape approaches is an asset
• Experience in working for an international organisation is an added advantage

Other knowledge and additional competences

• Self-motivated and proactive
• Ability to structure and implement processes
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, especially when collaborating with a broad range of stakeholders
• Fluency in English, with very good writing skills
• Excellent IT skills (e.g. MS Office, online research, etc.); ability to learn new tools
• Must be a team player and is expected to work well in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment
• Practical experience working in a politically sensitive context is an asset

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