Description

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF A TECHNICAL ADVISOR - URBAN DEVELOPMENT, MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION FOR THE PROJECT OF THE DEUTSCHE GESELLSCHAFT FÜR INTERNATIONALE ZUSAMMENARBEIT GmbH (GIZ/CoM SSA), BASED IN YAOUNDE

 
A. CONTEXT
The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) represents the regional chapter of the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM), the world’s largest alliance of over 13,000 cities and sub-national governments committed to ambitious climate action. Through CoM SSA, local authorities across Sub-Saharan Africa make voluntary political commitments to implement climate and energy strategies aligned with long-term goals for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and equitable access to sustainable energy. To date, over 380 cities in the region have joined the initiative.

 

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) supports CoM SSA through its current implementation phase (Phase IV), which aims to significantly scale the initiative’s impact by enhancing access to finance for climate-resilient urban infrastructure. GIZ works in close collaboration with selected CoM SSA cities to strengthen climate-resilient urban planning and to provide targeted technical assistance for infrastructure project preparation. This includes advisory services for financing, private-sector engagement, and the integration of inclusive, participatory planning approaches, particularly in energy transition, urban resilience, and adaptation to climate change.

 

CoM SSA is co-funded by the European Union (EU), the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Spanish Agency for International Development (AECID) and is co-implemented by GIZ, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Expertise France (EF), and the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID). BMZ's contribution is commissioned through the GIZ Multi-Donor Platform Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Investments in Cities (CIVIC), including the CoM SSA and the C40 Cities Finance Facility (CFF). The CIVIC platform supports cities in advancing inclusive, climate-smart infrastructure by fostering international partnerships and leveraging public and private investment for resilient urban development.

GIZ implements CoM SSA Phase IV in collaboration with national and local stakeholders in four focus countries—Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria. The GIZ CIVIC–CoM SSA team operates from Brussels, Berlin, Bonn, and in-country offices across the focal countries, ensuring close coordination between local implementation and global policy dialogue.

 

As part of the implementation of its activities in Cameroon, the Project Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (GIZ/CoM SSA) is looking for an Advisor in urban development, mitigation and adaptation; a position to be based in Yaoundé.

B. AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
The Technical Advisor will contribute to strategically implementing climate-responsive urban development measures under the given framework. The position focuses on strengthening local government capacities in climate action planning, facilitating the development of bankable adaptation and mitigation infrastructure projects, and advancing resilient urban systems. The advisor will provide high-level technical assistance, promote multi-stakeholder engagement, and ensure knowledge transfer across all project components to foster systemic change and urban climate resilience.

Within this framework, the incumbent has the following responsibilities.

 

C. RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of his/her line manager, the incumbent will work on the following activities:

1. Integrated climate action planning & governance advisory

Support the formulation and institutionalization of integrated climate and energy action plans (SEACAPS) and sectoral strategies that are gender responsive and climate-sensitive and in line with national mandates and CoM SSA guidelines,
Facilitate mainstreaming of climate and gender considerations across existing local development frameworks,
Promote participatory and data-driven planning methodologies and support climate budgeting initiatives.
2. Project preparation & infrastructure advisory

Provide technical support in the identification, conceptualization, and early-stage development of climate-resilient infrastructure projects,
Apply climate risk-informed, nature-based, gender-responsive and low-emission planning approaches for sectors such as energy, waste, water, transport, and urban greening,
Support pre-feasibility assessments and liaise with potential financiers and implementing partners,
Provide tailored technical assistance to local administrations to develop bankable projects in the areas of climate mitigation, adaptation and energy access Selection, steering and professional backstopping of national (and international) consultants as well as quality assurance of the work results in the field of sustainable urban energy and climate related in-vestments.
 

3. Capacity development & institutional strengthening

Design and implement capacity-building strategies for urban actors on climate policy, planning, and project development,
Facilitate technical dialogues, peer-learning exchanges, and regional cooperation between municipalities,
Strengthen institutional readiness for accessing climate finance and managing infrastructure investments,
Implement capacity building measures for local administrations through topical workshops, seminars and training on project preparation and financing, SEACAP development, etc.,
Conceptualize, prepare and implement workshops, seminars, conferences or other events on knowledge/peer exchange subjects relevant to the CoM SSA activities.
4. Stakeholder engagement & strategic partnerships

Coordinate with national and sub-national authorities, development partners, civil society, and private sector actors,
Promote alignment with national climate strategies and regional frameworks,
Facilitate investment matchmaking and engagement with development finance institutions (DFIs) and climate funds.
5. Monitoring, reporting & knowledge dissemination

Develop and apply results-based monitoring frameworks to track the progress of climate action and infrastructure project pipelines,
Synthesize findings and best practices into strategic communication products, technical briefs, and learning materials,
Ensure internal and external reporting complies with programme and donor requirements. 
6. General obligations

Familiarize with GIZ's planning, implementation, information procedures and the changes occurring at this level
Familiarize with other GIZ program components and projects, concepts and levels of progress, and know the relevant experts and collaborators
Represent and defend the interests of the project
Perform important tasks for the project as instructed by line manager, even if they are not explicitly mentioned in the job description.
7. Other responsibilities

The incumbent will:

Perform other activities and duties as directed by his/her supervisor.
Requirements
D. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
To carry out these activities, the incumbent must have the following qualifications:

1.     Qualification

Advanced university degree (master’s level or equivalent) in Urban Planning, Environmental Engineering, Geospatial Science, Climate Policy, Sustainable Infrastructure, or a related field.
 

2.     Professional experience

At least five (5) years of progressive experience in design, implementation, or advisory support of urban climate mitigation and adaptation measures, focusing on project preparation, climate action planning, or resilient infrastructure development.
Proven expertise in climate-resilient urban infrastructure (e.g., flood management, nature-based solutions, green buildings, or sustainable mobility), low-emission technologies, and urban and peri-urban contexts adaptation strategies.
Demonstrated capability to support local governments in climate action planning, participatory urban governance processes, and cross-sectoral integration of climate resilience into spatial and investment planning.
Experience working with development partners, climate finance institutions, or public-private consortia to mobilize investment for mitigation and adaptation initiatives at the city level.
Competence in applying digital platforms, GIS, and data-driven tools for urban diagnostics, climate risk mapping, infrastructure planning, and MRV (monitoring, reporting, verification) systems.
 

3.     Other knowledge and skills

Solid understanding of the infrastructure project lifecycle, including feasibility assessments, co-benefit analysis, pre-concept development, procurement pathways, and integration of sustainability safeguards.
Excellent skills in managing complex stakeholder landscapes, including government actors, civil society, academia, consultants, and private sector representatives, with a proven ability to build consensus and promote co-creation approaches.
Strong project management capabilities, including strategic planning, budgeting, results-based monitoring, and adaptive learning.
Excellent writing, reporting, and presentation skills tailored to diverse audiences.
High levels of responsiveness, intercultural competence, gender sensitivity, and professional integrity, with the ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively to interdisciplinary teams.
Full professional proficiency in English and French; additional language skills are an advantage.
 

 

 Contract start date: October 1st, 2025

Contract period: 24 months, renewable

Duty Station: Yaoundé

Internal classification of the position: Band 4, under the hierarchical supervision of the Head of the Component Manager

Deadline for application files: September 7th, 2025

 

E. COMPOSITION AND SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
1.     Composition (required) of the application files:

Cover letter
CV (2 pages maximum + 3 professional references)
 

2.     Submission of the application form:

All applications will only be received on our career site, via the e-recruiting platform accessible through the link: .https://giz-kamerun.workable.com/