Team Leader – Energy Transition Specialist (m/f/d)

Job Posting Organization:
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a state-owned organization that operates globally in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. Established to facilitate development projects and initiatives, GIZ has a significant presence in various countries, focusing on sustainable development goals. The organization employs a diverse workforce and collaborates with numerous international partners to implement projects that address pressing global challenges. GIZ International Services (InS) is a key division within GIZ that leverages the organization's expertise and experience to provide economic and result-oriented services to international clients. The organization is currently preparing for an EU-funded tender aimed at supporting South Africa's Just Energy Transition (JET South Africa), which aims to enhance the country's energy policies and frameworks, strengthen institutional capacities, and promote investments in sustainable energy solutions.

Job Overview:
The Team Leader – Energy Transition Specialist will play a pivotal role in providing strategic direction, technical leadership, and managerial oversight for the Technical Assistance Facility dedicated to South Africa's Just Energy Transition. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of energy transition issues, including policy and regulatory frameworks, capacity development, and investment promotion. The successful candidate will serve as the primary liaison with the EU Delegation, South African counterparts, and various stakeholders, ensuring that all project activities align with the objectives of the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP) and EU development cooperation frameworks. The role demands a proactive approach to overseeing project outputs, managing a team of experts, and ensuring that cross-cutting issues such as gender equality and environmental sustainability are integrated into all project activities. The position is designed for a leader who can navigate complex multi-stakeholder environments and drive the successful implementation of the project over its five-year duration.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Team Leader will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

• Provide overall strategic direction and technical leadership for the Technical Assistance Facility, ensuring alignment with project objectives and stakeholder expectations.
• Act as the primary point of contact with the EU Delegation, South African government officials, and other donors and stakeholders, facilitating effective communication and collaboration.
• Oversee the preparation and delivery of key project outputs, including Implementation Strategies, Annual operational work plans, and Monitoring & Evaluation Frameworks.
• Manage the selection and oversight of non-key experts, ensuring compliance with EU visibility and communication requirements.
• Ensure that cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability are mainstreamed throughout all project activities.
• Lead capacity-building initiatives and knowledge-sharing efforts to enhance the skills and capabilities of local stakeholders.
• Monitor project progress and performance, making adjustments as necessary to achieve desired outcomes.
• Prepare technical reports, policy briefs, and other deliverables that communicate project achievements and lessons learned.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and skills:

• A Master's degree in energy, climate policy, environmental sciences, economics, public administration, or a directly related field. In the absence of a Master's degree, a Bachelor's degree combined with an additional five years of relevant professional experience will be accepted.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and coordination skills, particularly in multi-stakeholder and cross-sectoral environments.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to engage effectively with senior government officials, civil society, and development partners.
• Full professional proficiency in English (both written and spoken); knowledge of local South African languages will be considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have at least a Master's degree in a relevant field such as energy, climate policy, environmental sciences, economics, or public administration. If a candidate does not hold a Master's degree, a Bachelor's degree along with five additional years of relevant professional experience will be acceptable. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of the energy transition and sustainable development sectors.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 12 years of professional experience in the energy, environment, climate change, or sustainable development sectors. Candidates should have at least five years of experience managing or coordinating large-scale technical assistance programs or international donor-funded projects, ideally within the context of energy transition or climate finance. Proven experience in team leadership, project coordination, and performance monitoring in complex, multi-stakeholder environments is essential for success in this role.

Languages:
Full professional proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of local South African languages will be considered an asset, as it may enhance communication and engagement with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is suited for full-time employment, with an assignment period from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 203

• The project duration is five years, and the operational base for the project is located in Pretoria. Applicants are advised that applications can only be accepted and processed through the organization's E-recruiting system. Following the submission of a successful application, candidates should regularly check their spam or junk mail folders, as emails from the recruiting system may be classified as spam by some email providers.