National Advisor on Inclusion and the Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa

Vacancy No: GIZ- External #153/2024

Project Name: Boosting the Rights of Individuals with Disabilities in Africa (BRIDGE-Africa)

Duty Station: Addis Ababa 

Contract end date: 31.10. 2028

Please note that the position title will be changed to Gender, Equality Advisor during the recruitment process.  

Brief description of the project/ unit

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, Sustainable Economic Growth, Just Transition as well as Health and Social Development.

The regional project ‘Boosting the Rights of Individuals with Disabilities in Africa (BRIDGE-Africa)’ is supported by German Cooperation and implemented jointly by the civil society, represented mainly through African Disability Forum, the African Union Commission and GIZ. BRIDGE is part of GIZ’s Regional Projects in Africa.

It focuses on strengthening the capacities of federations of organisations of persons with disabilities on the African continent in view of more and better participation in development processes. In addition, the project supports the African Union in the implementation of the “African Disability Protocol”, especially through pan-African advocacy for inclusion along with concrete measures at member-state-level.

 The project addresses intersectionality, supporting the participation and empowerment of women and youth with disabilities through their umbrella organisations. The project also looks at datasets, information exchange and statistics and supports furthermore African partners in the participation at the Global Disability Summit in 2025.

Job Requirements

Qualifications Requirements

• University degree (at least Master or similar) in a relevant field, such as disability inclusion studies, international law, human rights, international development, social-, political- or education sciences

Professional experience

• At least 5 years professional experience in international disability-inclusive development or application of international human rights especially for persons with disabilities

• At least 3 years professional experience within or in close cooperation with multilateral- and/or bilateral development partners

• Proven expertise, experience and knowledge about current trends in disability inclusion and disability rights’ implementation

• Demonstrable experience in project-related cooperation, project management and /or results-based reporting

• Demonstrable experience of close cooperation with civil society organisations

• Experiences in active usage of social media for professional communication

• Experience in working with politically sensitive issues

Other knowledge, additional competencies

• Very strong communication skills in speaking and writing

• Very good analytical and strategic skills

• A person with team spirit, pro-active and independent working capacities, excellent self-organising skills, diplomatic competence, gender-positive and diversity-supportive attitude

• Excellent English is a prerequisite

• Good command of another AU-official language is an additional asset

• Lived experiences with disability are an additional asset

• Readiness for travel within Ethiopia, to other African countries as well as Europe is required.

How to Apply

Application procedure:

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

Please make sure you mention the vacancy number and position title ‘"Your Name_National Advisor on Inclusion and the Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa - #153/2024’ in the subject line of your email application. 

Due to large number of applications, we categorise applications with the vacancy numbers. Applications that do not include vacancy numbers in the subject lines may not be sorted into the correct folder, which could lead to disqualification. 

Additionally, any applications submitted after the deadline will be automatically excluded.

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.

“Please refer to our brochure to learn more about GIZ’s attractive benefit package.”