International Blue Finance and Investment 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

BackgroundThe Western Indian Ocean (WIO) is critical for the food security, livelihoods and economic development of ten states in eastern and southern Africa, covering some 60 million people.  Prominent blue economy sectors include fishing, tourism, extractives and aquaculture. However,population growth, unsustainable consumption, pollution and a range of other economic activities are threatening the region’s fragile coastal and marine ecosystems underpinning human development. This destruction of natural capital is exacerbated by climate change, including ocean warming, acidification and increasingly violent storms. In response, the BMZ commissioned GIZ in 2019 to implement the Africa Regional Programme, Western Indian Ocean Governance Initiative (WIOGI). Recently rebranded “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, ProsperBlue partners 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. ProsperBlue implements along the coastlines of four countries: Somalia, Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar. The programme has grown to a volume of 52 M EUR, with EU co-financings signed in Mozambique and Tanzania, and will continue withan anticipated 25 M EUR co-financing for Outcome 2 of the regional EU Sustainable WIO Programme (SWIOP). Outcome 2 aims to facilitate investment in a sustainable blue economyand has three outputs: 2.1 focusing on the development of an investment pipeline. 2.2 focusing on catalyzing investment; and2.3 focusing on strengthening the maritime labour market in the WIO to international standards. As an International Blue Finance and Investment Technical Advisor, you will be responsible for supportingbthe technical, operational, and administrative planning, implementation and steering of Output 2.2, work package 2: Facilitation of international investments and financing mechanisms.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1.     Your tasksBuild partnerships and directly work with international impact funds, different categories of investors and international financial institutions to mobilize capital for the blue economy in the WIO region.Develop and implement concepts for the international financial sector to improve the understanding of blue finance, blue economy sectors and business opportunities in the WIO region. Identify opportunities and provide agile support to international investors, linking them to concessional funding for developing blue finance mechanisms that are meeting the needs of the blue economy sectors in the WIO region. Co-design, support and implement financing instruments with the aim to innovate and attract further private capital for the blue economy in the WIO region. Support matchmaking with blue economy businesses and project, e.g. by organizing investor roundtables or roadshows in the WIO region.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 2.1 and 2.3, advancing Global Gateway-aligned innovation and infrastructure development.2.    Your profileRequired:   Master’s degree in a relevant field such as business administration, economics, finance, investments. At least five years of experience in the international financial sector (e.g. impact funds, institutional investors, international financial institutions). At least three years of experience working for an international development organization on cooperation with the financial sector, ideally with solid networks in the European banking and impact investing sectors.Demonstrated experience in designing financial instruments and cooperation models with the financial sector.Experience in conceptualizing and managing complex consulting services and financing contracts in access to finance.High social and intercultural competence with good 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.Digital affinity and qualifications as well as willingness to promote innovative solutions. Demonstrated management, coordination, facilitation and communication skills required to work in complex environmentsSubmission of Application:Duty Station: NairobiDuration of Assignment: 1 year.Vacancy Reference Number: GIZ/ARD/06/02/2026Equal 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

Budgeting, financial planning, Project management, Financial controlling, Training delivery, Data analysis, Ability to coordinate, Stakeholder communication, Project preparation and planning, Project implementation

REQUIRED EDUCATION

Post-graduate education