Technical Advisor – Access to Finance (A2F)

As a federal enterprise, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH supports the German Government in achieving its objective in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ operates in more than 130 countries around the globe. In Malawi, GIZ has been working for more than 50 years. Malawi is a priority for German international cooperation and currently focuses on health and social protection, private sector development, good governance, and food security and nutrition.

Background

GIZ implements the Energising Development (EnDev) activities within the ENGAGE project. The objective of ENGAGE is to accelerate the Energy Transition in Africa by strengthening continental leadership in Energy, advancing regional power markets, facilitating dialogue between the AU, the EU and EU member states, and expanding national energy access in selected countries (EnDev).

Under the EnDev programme, GIZ has been implementing in Malawi since 2013 jointly with the Ministry of Energy to advance market-based energy access which has reached 2,079,670 people at household level, 521 micro, small and medium enterprises as well as 121 social institutions. In its new phase within ENGAGE, EnDev Malawi aims to focus activities in the area of Improved Cookstoves (ICS) for household and solar powered electrical appliances for productive uses of electricity PUE with funding from its core donors – Germany, Switzerland & others potentially coming on board – as well as activities in the area of particularly clean cooking solutions for household (higher tier cooking / HTC) with expected co-funding from the European Union..

Across all identified target segments, EnDev will implement a professionalisation approach aimed at stimulating market growth through technical advice, business development services, results-based finance and access to finance. To implement all commissions jointly, the Team Leader ENGAGE is recruiting one integrated, interdisciplinary team consisting of experts from different disciplines.

Responsibilities & Tasks

The Technical Advisor on Access to Finance (A2F) will represent the interface of the EnDev Team to the finance sector of Malawi. She/He will ensure that the EnDev Team will always consider A2F-aspects in the private sector development concepts. She/He will be the door opener for EnDev in the communication with Banks and Micro-Finance Institutions.

The Advisor on A2F will be responsible for the following: 

• Work in an integrated, inter-disciplinary team addressing energy access across all commissions of EnDev Malawi
• Support the team leader (based in Malawi) in general project management
• Provide technical support to all activities on access to finance support including supporting company assessment, introduction/networking with financial institutions and provision of technical advice
• Lead the conceptualisation of measures and activities to support investment for growth through access to finance
• Conduct research on the latest market development in the supported renewable energy markets including innovations in consumer finance, carbon finance and other financial instruments
• Provide relevant information and coordinate with cross-cutting functions including Communication, Monitoring and Evaluation, Knowledge management and Gender
• Work closely with technical experts on PV-PUE, Cooking and RBF to ensure a holistic professionalization approach is realised
• Prepare relevant procurements and service contract request, managing consultants and ensuring proper documentation of all contracts
• Collaboration in the conceptual (further) development of innovative approaches and in the creation of concepts for business development.
• Collaborate with other Technical Advisors within GIZ to ensure smooth information flow, facilitate the successful translation of national-level activities to district-level implementation, and contribute to knowledge sharing and capacity strengthening in the energy sector
• Other duties and tasks at the request of management.

 Required qualifications, competences and experience

Qualifications

Professional experience

OR: Minimum of five (5) years professional experience in renewable energy, environment or development projects with demonstrated experience supporting companies in accessing private sector financing

• Experience working with carbon finance mechanisms is an added advantage
• Experiences in project management, including results-based planning and monitoring, is an added advantage.
• Experience working as a CFO in an energy related private company is an added advantage

Additional Competences

• Strong ability to translate “Finance Sector language” into “day-to-day English/Chichewa” and vis-versa.
• Strong personality and presence suitable to represent EnDev and Renewable Energy Companies in discussions with Bank Managers.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and knowledge transfer skills in English and Chichewa; proficiency in German is not required but will be considered an added advantage.

GIZ is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from individuals regardless of gender, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, age, or any other protected characteristic. We embrace diversity and believe that inclusivity in the workplace is essential to our success, and we are committed to creating a work environment where all employees are valued and respected.