The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) represents the regional chapter of the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM), the world’s largest alliance of over 13,000 cities and sub-national governments committed to ambitious climate action. Through CoM SSA, local authorities across Sub-Saharan Africa make voluntary political commitments to implement climate and energy strategies aligned with long-term goals for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and equitable access to sustainable energy. To date, over 380 cities in the region have joined the initiative.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) supports CoM SSA through its current implementation phase (Phase IV), which aims to significantly scale the initiative’s impact by enhancing access to finance for climate-resilient urban infrastructure. GIZ works in close collaboration with selected CoM SSA cities to strengthen climate-resilient urban planning and to provide targeted technical assistance for infrastructure project preparation. This includes advisory services for financing, private-sector engagement, and the integration of inclusive, participatory planning approaches, particularly in energy transition, urban resilience, and adaptation to climate change

Programme Structure

CoM SSA is co-funded by the European Union (EU), the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Spanish Agency for International Development (AECID) and is co-implemented by GIZ, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Expertise France (EF), and the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID). BMZ's contribution is commissioned through the GIZ Multi-Donor Platform Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Investments in Cities (CIVIC), including the CoM SSA and the C40 Cities Finance Facility (CFF). The CIVIC platform supports cities in advancing inclusive, climate-smart infrastructure by fostering international partnerships and leveraging public and private investment for resilient urban development.

GIZ implements CoM SSA Phase IV in collaboration with national and local stakeholders in four focus countries—Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria. The GIZ CIVIC–CoM SSA team operates from Brussels, Berlin, Bonn, and in-country offices across the focal countries, ensuring close coordination between local implementation and global policy dialogue.

For our office in Brussels we are looking for a technical advisor (m/f/d).

YOUR TASKS

The Technical Advisor will strengthen the financial and technical viability of urban energy and infrastructure projects across CoM SSA partner cities. With expertise in sustainable energy systems, e-mobility, and infrastructure financing, the advisor will support project preparation, facilitate access to finance, and promote strategic collaboration with DFIs and the private sector. The advisor will contribute to scaling financeable urban solutions through regional backstopping, network-building, and technical advisory services aligned with climate and digital transformation goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Facilitating Access to Finance for Energy and Urban Infrastructure Projects

• Map and engage public and private financing actors (DFIs, climate funds, commercial banks, equity investors) to unlock investment for sustainable energy and infrastructure solutions.
• Support preparing investment-ready concepts, including solar PV systems, energy retrofits, clean transport hubs, and e-mobility charging infrastructure.
• Develop suitable financing structures such as blended finance models, performance-based mechanisms, and PPPs, in collaboration with partners and consultants.
• Organise investor dialogues, matchmaking events, and knowledge exchanges to accelerate partnerships and financial closure.
• Deliver capacity-building formats to enhance local stakeholders’ understanding of infrastructure finance and project structuring.

Establishing Private Sector Partnerships for Renewable Energy and Mobility Projects

• Provide strategic and technical guidance for engaging the private sector in energy and e-mobility projects (e.g. mini-grids, rooftop PV, electric bus systems).
• Draft and adapt key instruments such as Power Purchase Agreements, Energy Service Contracts, ToRs, and concession models.
• Facilitate structured dialogue between public partners, energy providers, transport operators, and technology firms to stimulate investment and innovation.

Developing an Investment-Ready Project Pipeline

• Identify and structure a pipeline of technically sound infrastructure and energy projects with high implementation potential.
• Conduct or oversee technical diagnostics such as energy audits, mobility assessments, and stakeholder consultations.
• Support project preparation processes, including pre-feasibility studies, procurement planning, and due diligence, aligned with funder requirements.
• Strengthen public authorities’ technical and institutional capabilities to effectively manage and deliver infrastructure projects.

Advancing Digital Tools and Data-Driven Infrastructure Planning

• Promote using smart technologies, IoT, and AI in planning and managing energy and mobility infrastructure.
• Advise on digital readiness, data systems interoperability, and infrastructure-related digital governance frameworks.
• Support the design and deployment of digital platforms to improve monitoring, forecasting, and decision-making in infrastructure projects.
• Foster collaboration among cities, digital innovators, and research institutions to develop scalable tech-based solutions.
• Project Coordination, Networking and Knowledge Management
• Consolidate technical activities across multiple countries in alignment with climate goals, local priorities, and donor frameworks.
• Expand strategic partnerships with DFIs, financial institutions, and private sector actors to enhance the visibility and impact of CoM SSA.
• Lead monitoring missions and review processes to assess progress and capture impact across supported projects.
• Document and share experiences, case studies, and success stories through high-impact knowledge products and events.

YOUR KNOWLEDGES

• Academic Background: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Energy Engineering, Sustainable Infrastructure, Urban Mobility, Economics, Finance, or a related field.

• Professional Experience: At least six years of relevant professional experience in planning, financing, or implementing urban energy, mobility, or infrastructure projects.

• Strong technical and institutional understanding of energy systems, e-mobility, and urban infrastructure, including policy frameworks, regulatory conditions, and financing modalities.

• Proven experience in working with public institutions, private sector stakeholders, and financial partners across the infrastructure and energy sectors.

• Familiarity with the full project lifecycle, ranging from early-stage assessments to procurement, contracting, and monitoring.

• Experience with development finance institutions (DFIs), climate finance mechanisms, and innovative financing structures is a strong asset.

• Excellent understanding of the EU Global Gateway Investment Agenda and other global trends.

• Demonstrated competence in handling complex data systems and performance indicators, with a strong focus on infrastructure data management, visualisation of results, and portfolio-level reporting.

• Ability to translate analytical insights into clear, strategic communication tools for stakeholder engagement and visibility.

• Knowledge of solar technologies, energy efficiency solutions, and electric mobility is considered an advantage.

• Understanding of how digital and AI-driven solutions can enhance infrastructure design, implementation, and service delivery.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder coordination skills across public and private domains.

• Strong project management abilities and a high degree of responsiveness, self-organisation, and intercultural sensitivity.

• Willingness and flexibility to travel across partner countries as needed to support implementation, coordination, and advisory activities.

• Full professional proficiency in English and French; German is an asset; additional language skills are an advantage.

WHAT WE OFFER

We offer a temporary contract with GIZ in Brussels under Belgian law (PC200). The position will be remunerated according to the level of experience. In addition to the legal holidays, you will receive 5 extra days of holiday per calendar year, as well as lunch checks, health insurance for hospitalization, the reimbursement of a monthly ticket for Brussels public transport and the possibility for home office in accordance with our respective policy.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are asked to submit their updated CV in English, copies of your university degrees and all references you consider to be relevant (no more than three – name, e-mail and phone contact included) together with a one-page cover letter to the attention of Yodit Zeggay.

Please send the application to comssa@giz.de

The subject line must contain the following: “Name, first name. Advisor – Application Energy, Infrastructure and Access to Finance”.

If you are not an EU citizen, proof of the legal right to work in Belgium must be attached to your application.

We apologise and ask for understanding that due to the high number of applications, only short-listed candidates can be contacted. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

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