Project Manager – COMESA Project Preparation Facility (PPF)

Job description

Our model for success is a better life for everyone and purposeful tasks for our employees. For more than 50 years, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), as a company of the German Federal Government, has been supporting the implementation of development policy goals worldwide. Together with partner organisations in 120 countries, we are involved in a diverse range of projects. If you want to make a difference in the world and develop yourself in the process, you’ve come to the right place.

Job description

GIZ International Services (InS) is an integral division of GIZ. We offer the experience, the regional and technical know-how of GIZ in the global market and provide international clients with expertise in terms of economic and result-oriented services.

GIZ International Services in cooperation  with GIZ global programme GET.invest, is participating in a tender that aim to select a service provider to support the operationalization of the COMESA Project Preparation Facility (PPF). The COMESA PPF is an initiative under The Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) programme implemented by COMESA. The PPF aims to mobilise investment into private sector projects and businesses in decentralised renewable energy (DRE), clean cooking and climate-smart infrastructure in the COMESA region by providing targeted technical assistance (TA) and TA grants to investment-ready projects and businesses.

To support the effective roll-out and oversight of the PPF, GIZ is seeking a Project Manager  whowill serve as the central coordinator and focal point for the Facility, working closely with the COMESA Secretariat, the COMESA Project Implementation Unit (PIU), and the GET.invest team. The role involves overall management and coordination of the PPF implementation—ensuring its setup and operations align with GET.invest standards, supporting administrative and compliance processes in line with COMESA procedures, driving reporting and learning efforts, and facilitating stakeholder engagement and partnerships (in close coordination with the COMESA PIU’s partnerships lead)

Your tasks
Set up and operationalise the COMESA PPF in close coordination with COMESA PIU and GET.invest
Ensure compliance with operational, procurement, and reporting standards of COMESA as well as alignment with COMESA and ASCENT strategic goals
Act as the central liaison between COMESA PIU, GIZ/GET.invest, and other service provider(s) related to the PIU
Manage day-to-day coordination, planning, and delivery oversight of TA and grant support
Monitor performance, review deliverables, and ensure quality
Prepare external and internal reports, facilitate knowledge sharing, programme learning and continuous improvement as well as facilitate public communication and outreach
Facilitate stakeholder engagement across governments, DFIs, TA providers, and relevant donor initiatives, etc in close cooperation with COMESA PIU responsible for partnerships management
Where needed, on behalf of COMESA, represent the PPF at key events and engagements
Your profile

Required Qualifications and Experience  

Advanced university degree (or additional two years of experience) in a relevant field, preferably in Development Finance, Project or Corporate Finance, Economics, or Business Administration, with a focus on energy or private sector development
At least 10 years of experience managing large donor – or government-funded programmes, funds, or technical assistance facilities—ideally supporting private sector investment readiness
Deep understanding of the decentralised renewable energy (DRE) and clean cooking market in Sub-Saharan Africa; hands-on experience in financing DRE / clean cooking businesses is highly desirable
Strong track record in engaging with government stakeholders, development finance institutions (DFIs), and regional organisations

Other Skills and Attributes

Strong project management and coordination skills, including multitasking across stakeholders and workstreams
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey complex topics to diverse audiences
Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving orientation and attention to detail
Proficient in MS Office Suite; experience with digital tools for programme monitoring or CRM is a plus
Fluency in English; working knowledge of French or Portuguese is an asset
Willingness for travel regionally across COMESA member states and internationally
Experience in designing and managing TA grant facilities according to WB procurement procedures is considered an asset.