Environmental Expert (m/f/d) - Greener Municipal Services South Africa

The Greener Municipalities project aims to support selected municipalities in South Africa in improving municipal service delivery through greener, climate resilient and inclusive solutions. The technical assistance focuses on strengthening municipal performance and governance, facilitating green investments, and supporting projects in water, energy, waste management, and sanitation. The assignment is funded by the European Union and implemented in close cooperation with South African public institutions and municipalities.

The Environmental Expert will support the design and implementation of climate resilient and environmentally sustainable municipal initiatives, particularly in water, energy, sanitation, waste management and green urban development. This includes advising municipalities on environmental planning, resilience building measures and sustainable infrastructure approaches, ensuring alignment with climate change and environmental objectives. The expert will also contribute to the development of green and inclusive solutions by supporting stakeholder engagement, gender responsive approaches and community participation activities. Additionally, the role involves supporting project preparation processes, cooperating with development finance institutions and public stakeholders, and contributing to capacity building and knowledge sharing throughout the assignment.

Required:

• Masters in Environmental Studies or Urban Development, or equivalent professional experience (5 years) in lieu of a master's, plus a bachelor's degree.
• Fluency in English.
• At least 6 years of work experience in drafting and implementing plans focused on climate resilient and sustainable urban environments, renewable energies, disaster risk reduction or resilience enhancing mechanisms.
• At least 1 year of experience as a long term expert working with development financial institutions on projects related to water, energy, sustainable waste management or sanitation from concept to bankability.
• At least 1 year of experience implementing an environmental project with a gender, social inclusion and stakeholder engagement focus in a lower middle income country similar to South Africa.
• At least 1 year of experience as a short term expert (minimum 12 months) in implementing projects in solid waste disposal and treatment, water supply and sanitation networks or renewable energies in a lower middle income country similar to South Africa.

Desired:

• Proven knowledge of the South African legislative environment in local government.

The main place of performance will be at the offices of the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) in Centurion, South Africa, with regular missions to the four selected municipalities located in KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

For the Environmental Expert up to 120 working days may be home based. The proposed home based location must be indicated at the beginning of the assignment and is subject to approval by the contracting authority.

The project is foreseen to have a duration of 48 months.

This position is suited to a part time role.

We support equal opportunities and welcome applications from people with disabilities. GIZ is a signatory of the Diversity Charter. Recognition, appreciation and inclusion of diversity are important to us. All employees shall be valued regardless of gender, gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, social background, age or sexual orientation.