Advisor Digital Governance and Innovation 

Contract duration: 31.07.2026

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a global service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world. As a public-benefit federal enterprise, GIZ supports the German Government – in particular the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) – and many public and private sector clients in achieving their objectives in international cooperation in around 120 countries.

Since 2004, GIZ has been a reliable and trusted partner of the African Union (AU) to enhance inclusive growth and sustainable development on the African continent in line with the AU’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. With more than 200 staff, GIZ African Union cooperates with the AU Commission, as well as the AU’s specialised institutions and agencies, such as the Development Agency AUDA-NEPAD, at continental, regional and national level in more than 35 member states. Key areas of engagement include Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, Governance and Migration, Sustainable Economic Growth and Employment, as well as Health and Social Development.

DataCipation Programme

The German Government, through the GIZ Programme DataCipation support the African Union Commission in the implementation of its Digital Transformation Strategy. The GIZ DataCipation provides technical assistance to foster scalable sector-neutral innovative products, processes, systems aimed at influencing policy making and promoting good governance in the context of the Digital Transformation Strategy. These initiatives are implemented in close cooperation with respective Directorates in the AUC as well as relevant stakeholder of the digital and innovation ecosystem of the African continent. Amongst these successful initiatives are the AU Civic Tech Fund, AU Digital and Innovation Fellowship or the Citizen Engagement Platform.

For the continuous close cooperation with the AU Commission on scalable innovative products, GIZ seeks to hire one or two suitable Advisor(s) on Digital Governance and Innovation. One Advisor will be seconded to the Directorate for Women, Gender and Youth in the African Union Commission (AUC).

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of African Union's Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa 2030

• Support the African Union Commission in the implementation of innovative products to foster digital transformation (i.a. AU Civic Tech Fund, AU Digital and Innovation Fellowship, AU Citizen Engagement Platform)

• Advise AU partners on finding suitable medium- to long-term mechanisms of anchoring innovative products in structures and processes of the institution.

• Advise the African Union Commission on structured and systematic linkages to the African digital and innovation eco-system.

• Create strategic linkages with relevant stakeholders in the field of civic tech, innovation labs, start-ups on the continent.

• Coordinate and manage different grants with implementing partners as well as short-term consultant missions.

• Organize workshops, study trips and events that provide spaces for discussion and exchange between AU policy-makers and the innovation eco-system on the continent.

Job Requirements

Qualifications

• Completed university degree (preferably Master) in a field relevant to the tasks (e.g. social sciences, public administration, political science)

Professional experience

• Relevant professional experience in Africa on the innovation eco-system, civic tech or start-up system

• Previous Experience working with government stakeholders, specific experience with the African Union is desirable 

• In-depth understanding of the digital transformation ecosystem in Africa is required.

Other knowledge, additional competencies

• High motivation, strong analytical and conceptual skills as well as a good understanding of contemporary digital policy debates are expected.

• Strong interpersonal skills, a friendly, cooperative and supportive team spirit combined with the ability to work independently and self-reliant in a remote setup.

• Excellence in English language (orally and written) is required, French and other languages of the African Union are an asset.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates shall submit their motivation letter along with their non-returnable recent CV via hreth@giz.de

Please make sure you mention the Vacancy Number ‘Advisor, Digital Governance and Innovation #153/2023’ in the subject line of your email application.

Please note that the job title will be changed to “Advisor ICT, Digitalisation” during the recruitment process.

Due to large number of applications, we categorise applications with the vacancy numbers.

Applications without vacancy numbers in subject lines might not be categorized in the appropriate folder and could be disqualified.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

We encourage persons with disabilities to apply for the position. In case of equal qualification, persons with disabilities will be given preference.

Applications from qualified women are encouraged.