Project Manager (m/f/d) for the Region Africa

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is an international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. GIZ promotes complex reforms and change processes, often working under difficult conditions. Its corporate objective is to improve people’s living conditions on a sustainable basis. GIZ International Services (InS) is the company’s business department offering services to international clients such as the European Commission.

We are looking for a motivated Project Manager (PM) to support the development of the Africa portfolio, with location in Brussels, Belgium. Regular travel to countries in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as GIZ Head Office in Germany, is required. The position is to be filled starting as soon as possible. GIZ offers a Belgian employment contract (full time).

Your profile:

• You hold at least a master’s degree in a relevant field: political science, economics, international law, or a relevant specialized technical field such as engineering or agronomy, etc.
• You bring solid experience in both business development as well as project management; recognized certifications are considered an asset.
• You have at least five years of relevant professional experience in the full acquisition cycle (from early positioning to consortium building, contract negotiations and proposal development) of competitive service contracts with international donors, in particular with the EU.
• Experience with public or private financial institutions such as the World Bank, EIB, impact investors would be an asset.
• At least 3 years experience in project management and backstopping, preferably of projects in the sub-Saharan Africa region.
• You have technical expertise in one of the following sectors: infrastructure development, renewable energy and energy transition, public financial management and sustainable finance, agriculture value chains, economic development and/or private sector development.
• Relevant technical experience as a (non-key) expert on projects in the sectors mentioned above is considered an asset.
• Experience with long-term assignments abroad (>6m) is considered an asset.

Other knowledge, additional skills:

• Full IT proficiency (current MS Office, including 365 cloud applications).
• Full fluency in written and spoken French and English is an indispensable requirement (level C according to CEFR). Knowledge of German is considered an advantage.
• Flexible profile, able to work autonomously and under pressure.
• Intercultural skills, problem-solving minded and with a service-oriented attitude.
• Good relationship management skills, political awareness and diplomatic acumen.
• Able to work well in a hybrid team environment.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, and keen on working in a team.

Your tasks:

Project acquisition

• Systematic market analysis and assessment of business opportunities published by the European Union and other donors.
• Support in development of market strategies for new clients.
• Early intelligence and fact-finding missions to recipient countries.
• Early identification and establishment of contacts with potential consortium partners as well as leading the negotiations.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with clients.
• Preparation of letters of interest, conceptional and methodological coordination of technical offers in line with tender specifications.
• Calculating competitive financial proposals in cooperation with the Financial Manager.
• Identification of and negotiation with experts, in cooperation with the HR recruitment team.

Project implementation

• Project implementation and steering.
• Technical and financial steering of projects.
• Undertaking coordination visits to partner countries, communication with the contracting authorities and supporting the project team on site.
• Monitoring and evaluation of ongoing projects, including the oversight of project reports to the client.
• Support to the identification and mobilization of long- and short-term experts for planned consultancy missions.
• Administrative and logistical support.
• Knowledge management and development of project implementation strategies.
• Relationship building with donors, clients, partners, and experts.

All tasks shall be carried out under supervision of the Portfolio Manager and the Regional Director and in close collaboration with the wider team of Project Managers.

Notes:

• This position is based in Brussels, Belgium. Applicants must hold a valid work permit for Belgium at the time of Application. Only candidates who are legally authorized to work in Belgium will be considered.
• The CV must clearly indicate the applicant’s nationality. In addition, previous professional experience should specify the city and country for each position held.

About us:

As GIZ has an international mandate, we offer a multicultural working environment. You will find an atmosphere marked by diversity, respect and genuine equality of opportunity. We offer a range of training courses for your personal development. Our performance in terms of work-life balance and family-friendly working conditions is also outstanding. Flexible working hours, adapted to your life situation, are an integral part of our corporate culture.