Blue Economy Technical Advisor - EU Sustainable Western Indian Ocean Programme (SWIOP)

ABOUT THE COMPANY

GIZ, the German Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, provides services in the field of international technical cooperation worldwide. In Kenya, it has been active since 1964, and up to now implements programs in a wide variety of areas, including economic development, green energy and water, governance, food security, and peace and security. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is GIZ’s main commissioning party. However, GIZ as well works closely with the private sector, fostering successful interaction between development policy and foreign trade.

JOB SUMMARY

1.    BackgroundThe Western Indian Ocean (WIO) is critical for the food security, livelihoods and economic development of ten states in eastern and southern Africa, supporting an estimated 60 million people. Prominent blue economy sectors include fisheries, tourism, shipping, extractives and aquaculture. However, population growth, unsustainable consumption, pollution and climate change impacts are placing increasing pressure on fragile coastal and marine ecosystems.In response, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) commissioned GIZ to implement ProsperBlue. The programme partners with a diversity of regional, national, and local organizations to support them collaborate and contribute to the protection and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity in the WIO region through an inclusive and sustainable blue economy (ISBE). Managed from Nairobi, Kenya, ProsperBluepartners with the Nairobi Convention, an intergovernmental environmental agreement and platform covering the WIO and coordinated by UNEP. It has also helped to establish the multi-stakeholder “Our Blue Future” initiative, now with 35 partners focused on an ISBE.SWIOP is a multi-country, multi-partner programme supporting sustainable blue economy development and regional cooperation in nine countries of the WIO. SWIOP is coordinated at regional level by the European Union Delegation to Tanzania with the support of GIZ ProsperBlue. ProsperBlue is implementing Pillar 2 of the EU-funded Sustainable Western Indian Ocean Programme (SWIOP). Pillar 2 aims to facilitate investment in a sustainable blue economy and has three outputs:2.1 focusing on the development of an investment pipeline. 2.2 focusing on catalyzing investment; and 2.3 focusing on strengthening the maritime Labor market in the WIO to international standards. As Blue Economy Technical Advisor, you will be responsible for supporting the technical, operational, and administrative planning, implementation and monitoring of Output 2.1, focusing on working to strengthen intermediary organizations and catalyze a pipeline of ISBE projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1.    Your tasksLead the development and implementation of a catalytic and robust pipeline of ISBE bankable and investment-ready enterprises and projects across the WIO in the Blue EconomyEnsure intermediaries that provide enterprise support services have strengthened capacities to provide these services in the context of an ISBEEnhance the bankability and investment-readiness of medium and large-scale Blue Economy enterprisesBased on a prior needs assessment, roll out a Blue Economy incubation and acceleration programme, focusing on investment readinessFacilitate regional learning and peer exchange events for intermediaries to share experiences, tools and success stories on blue enterprise financing.Support the provision of milestone-based catalytic grants and matched funding to intermediaries, including impact and angel funds for onward lending to help enterprises close validation gaps (e.g. prototypes, certifications, market studies,) that hinder investment readiness to allow for follow on funding.Design the operational model and tools for identifying, screening and preparing BE enterprises and projects for investment. This includes setting up mechanisms for deal origination, project pipeline tracking, transaction facilitation and matchmaking between enterprises and financiersOversee the development of the ISBE Capacity and Investment Hub, a virtual platform to mobilize investment and capital, matchmaking and to accelerate innovation and access to finance for ISBE actors across the WIO regionRepresent the Action externally with government, EU and BMZ stakeholders, regulatory agencies, maritime academies, Nairobi Convention structures and public, private and civil society partners at national and regional levels. Support the Monitoring and Knowledge Management system, manage quality assurance and reporting to EU and BMZ standards, ensuring compliance with donor requirements, contribution to corporate communication products and structured knowledge management.Manage and oversee consulting firms, contracting partners and/or grant recipients.Contribute to the broader objectives of SWIOP including to Outputs 2.2 and 2.3, advancing Global Gateway-aligned innovation and infrastructure development.2.     Your profile Required:    Master’s degree in a relevant field such as business administration, economics, finance. At least five years of experience in enterprise development, business development support, including incubation, acceleration At least three years of experience working for an international development organization on cooperation with the private sector in Africa, ideally with solid networks in the blue economy sector.Demonstrated management, coordination, facilitation and communication skills required to work in complex political and multi-stakeholder environments.High social and intercultural competence with good political intuition and ability to work in a team.DesirableKnowledge of GIZ procedures, rules and standards, including procurement and contract management, commissioning of consultants, monitoring and evaluation, financial/administrative compliance, donor reporting and knowledge management. Experience in conceptualizing and managing complex consulting services and financing contracts in the area of blue economy. Digital affinity and qualifications as well as willingness to promote innovative solutions.Submission of Application:Duty Station: NairobiDuration of Assignment: 1 year.Vacancy Reference Number: GIZ/ARD/04/02/2026Equal Employment OpportunityAt GIZ Kenya, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. We actively seek individuals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills to build a stronger, more impactful global team.We provide an environment of respect and psychological safety, ensuring equal employment opportunities for all. Discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, disability, marital status, or any other protected status is not tolerated in any of our workplaces.People With disability are encouraged to applyEthicsGIZ is committed to the safety, dignity, and well-being of all individuals we interact with, including staff, partners, community members, and program participants. We uphold the highest standards in preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. Child abuse or any form of misconduct by or toward team members is strictly prohibited.All staff are expected to behave professionally, respect local laws and customs, and complete mandatory ethics e-learning courses upon hire.Data ConfidentialityIn accordance with GIZ’s data protection policy, all candidate applications are stored in our database for six (6) months and deleted thereafter.Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

REQUIRED SKILLS

Project management, Data analysis, Partnerships, Ability to coordinate, Stakeholder communication, Training delivery, Strategizing, Project implementation, Research planning, Reporting

REQUIRED EDUCATION

Post-graduate education