Employer: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Project Cluster: TVET, Skills Development and Employment Cluster / Career Path Development for Employment (CPD4E)
Industry: International Development Cooperation, Green Energy, TVET Education & Skills Development
Location: Hatfield, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa (GIZ Offices | National Travel)
Position Type: Contract (From Appointment until 31 August 2028, with possible extension)
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (Minimum 8 Years Relevant Experience)
Compensation: Market-Related International Development Advisor Salary
Posted Date: 14 October 2026
Closing Date: 28 October 2026
About GIZ & The CPD4E Just Transition Project
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH implements international development projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the European Union (EU).
GIZ is recruiting a Technical Advisor – Employment Support through Skills Development (Just Transition) for the Career Path Development for Employment (CPD4E) project, based in Hatfield, Pretoria. This mid-senior role bridges the gap between green skills training and workplace entry, supporting South Africa’s Just Energy Transition (JET) across emerging sectors: Solar Photovoltaics, Energy Efficiency, Household Electrician, and Electric Vehicles (EVs). The position places a major focus on supporting girls and young women into decarbonized economy jobs.
Key Responsibilities & Strategic Deliverables
The Technical Advisor will drive four primary operational pillars across the South African TVET and green skills ecosystem:
1. Developing Green Skills & Instructional Qualification Design
- Green Qualification Frameworks: Shape occupational qualifications for emerging green jobs (Solar PV, Energy Efficiency, Electric Vehicles, Household Electricians) in alignment with QCTO and SETA processes.
- Curriculum & Lesson Planning: Oversee instructional design, curriculum development, lesson plans, and lecturer preparation modules.
- Training Coordination: Coordinate capacity-building programmes for TVET lecturers, school teachers, and in-company workplace trainers to scale successful training interventions.
2. Connecting TVET Training to Host Employers & Placements
- TVET Facility Enablement: Partner with TVET Colleges rolling out new Just Energy Transition (JET) programmes, assisting with workshop facilities, lecturer development, and industry alignment.
- Employer Host Networks: Build partnerships with private sector employers and industry bodies to secure workplace exposure, apprenticeships, and permanent job placements for TVET graduates.
3. Partnership Management & Public-Private Collaboration
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with policymakers, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), QCTO, SETAs, private sector leaders, and NGOs.
- Representation: Represent GIZ and the CPD4E project on national and international skills development and Just Transition platforms.
4. Contractor Management, Grant Oversight & Reporting
- Terms of Reference (ToRs): Draft activity scopes, oversee external consultants, contractors, and grant recipients through site visits, quality checks, and performance tracking.
- Project Governance: Develop action plans, manage activity budgets, and prepare financial and progress reports to strict GIZ standards.
Candidate Profile & Minimum Entry Requirements
To qualify for consideration for this advisory role, applicants must meet the following mandatory criteria:
- Educational Qualifications:
- Completed Graduate University Qualification (Bachelor’s or Honours Degree) in Engineering-Related Studies, Education, or Business (Mandatory).
- Work Experience:
- Minimum of 8 years of relevant working experience in skills development, TVET education, or occupational training systems (Mandatory).
- Core Systems & Technical Knowledge:
- In-depth working knowledge of the South African QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations) and SETA system (Mandatory).
- Thorough understanding of the South African TVET college ecosystem and occupational training frameworks.
- Proven expertise in qualification design, instructional design, and skills supply-and-demand modeling.
- Licensing & Travel Flexibility:
- Must possess a Valid Driving License (Mandatory).
- Willingness and readiness to travel nationally and internationally and work flexible hours when required.
- Digital & Project Capabilities:
- Strong project management, budget planning, writing, and structured task breakdown skills.
- Proficiency in MS Office (MS Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint).
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
- Advantageous Criteria (Not Mandatory but Beneficial):
- Familiarity with specific SETAs: EWSETA, merSETA, CHIETA, TETA, or MQA.
- Understanding of the renewable energy value chain and South Africa’s Just Energy Transition (JET) agenda.
- Knowledge of public and private sector tendering, contracting, and procurement standards.
- Prior experience in international development cooperation (e.g., GIZ, EU, UN, Swisscontact).
Application Document Guidelines (Strictly Enforced)
Applications must include the following three mandatory documents (incomplete submissions will be disqualified):
- Motivation Letter: Maximum 1 page, explaining why you are the preferred candidate and the specific value you bring to the CPD4E project.
- Detailed CV: Maximum 4 pages, clearly indicating your nationality.
- South African ID Copy: Proof of eligibility to work in South Africa.
Position Benefits & Diversity Commitment
- Impactful Career: Directly shape South Africa’s green transition and employment pathways for young women and youth.
- International Exposure: Work within a prestigious international development agency co-funded by Germany, Switzerland (SECO), and the European Union.
- Inclusivity Commitment: Applications from qualified persons with disabilities, female leaders, and underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.
Career Advice for Applicants
- Draft a Concise 1-Page Motivation Letter: Focus directly on your achievements with QCTO, SETAs, TVET colleges, and green skills/engineering training.
- Highlight QCTO & SETA Experience: Clearly feature your work with QCTO qualification submissions, SETA accreditations, or TVET curriculum design on page 1 of your CV.
- Keep CV Within 4 Pages: Ensure your CV strictly adheres to the 4-page length limit and includes your nationality details in the header.
Sample Selection & Interview Questions
Skills Development, QCTO & Just Transition Strategy
- Question (Qualification Design): “How do you approach aligning a newly designed occupational qualification (such as Solar PV or Electric Vehicle Technician) with QCTO standards while ensuring rapid adoption by TVET colleges?”
- Question (Employer Engagement): “What strategies do you use to convince private sector renewable energy employers to host TVET graduates for practical workplace learning?”
How to Apply
Submit your application (Motivation Letter + CV + ID Copy) directly via the GIZ Application Portal:
- Employer: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
- Location: Hatfield, Pretoria, Gauteng
- Position: Technical Advisor – Employment Support through Skills Development (CPD4E)
- Contract Duration: Until 31 August 2028 (Possible Extension)
- Closing Date: 28 October 2026