About Company
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) – is a public-benefit federal enterprise working in more than 100 countries worldwide. We work on behalf of the German Government and support public and private sector clients in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment, energy and environment, and peace and security.
Our activities cover three priority areas: Energy and Climate, which deals with renewable energy and energy efficiency; Training and Sustainable Growth for decent Jobs; and Peaceful and Inclusive Societies, which focuses on good governance.
About Project
The EU co-funded SKBoWa project aims to enhance human security conditions in border regions across Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, fostering collaboration and economic development. Operating in Upper West and Savannah Regions, SKBoWa focuses on local governance, social cohesion, and economic opportunities for vulnerable groups, leveraging partnerships with ministries and regional organizations.
The African Union Border Programme (AUBP) addresses the risks posed by ill-defined borders inherited from colonial times. AUBP seeks to prevent conflicts arising from unclear borders, recognizing them as threats to peace, security, and regional integration. Through clearly defined and internationally recognized borders, AUBP aims to mitigate conflicts, facilitating economic growth and development in Africa.
Job Role: Advisor Cross-Border Cooperation
Reports to: Head of Component Local Governance
Contract Duration: Until 30.06.2026
Location: Wa
Scope of Role:
As Advisor Cross-Border Cooperation, you’ll collaborate with governmental bodies in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, devising strategies to enhance border governance and cooperation. Your role involves guiding local governments on cross-border cooperation, human security, and capacity building for stability and development.
You’ll support local authorities in institutionalising Cross Boder frameworks, developing Cross Border cooperation programmes and establishing mechanisms for timely conflict alerts, fostering dialogue between security forces and border residents.
Collaborating with partners, you’ll tailor strategies aligning with project goals, monitor progress, and adjust activities for optimal impact. Your responsibilities include budget formulation, transparent communication of progress, and sharing lessons learned.
Additionally, you’ll conduct assessments, oversee activity implementation, and represent the GIZ/AUBP program, advocating for positive relationships and project objectives.
Tasks
- Advise and collaborate with governmental bodies and agencies in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana to develop and implement strategies aimed at improving border governance and fostering cooperation.
- Provide guidance and assistance to local government entities and officials in border regions, addressing various aspects such as cross-border cooperation, human security, peacebuilding, and capacity building to promote stability and development.
- Creation of mechanisms for cross-border consultation to establish timely alerts to potential conflicts or security threats in border areas.
- Dialogue and cooperation initiatives between security forces and residents of border regions for mutual understanding, respect and collaboration.
- Continuously monitor and evaluate project activities in the field, analyzing progress against predefined indicators and making necessary adjustments to optimize effectiveness and impact.
- Formulate realistic budgets that align with project objectives, ensuring efficient allocation and utilization of resources for project implementation.
- Regularly communicate project progress, activities, and outcomes maintaining transparency and accountability to stakeholders and donors.
- Facilitate the documentation and sharing of lessons learned and best practices acquired during project implementation to enhance knowledge exchange and inform future initiatives.
- Represent the GIZ/AUBP program towards local authorities, partners, and stakeholders, advocating for project goals and fostering positive.
Profile
- University degree (Master) in social sciences, law, economics, land planning, agronomy, project management or a similar discipline.
- 5 years of working knowledge in the field of organizational development and/or advisory services to the policy design.
- Experience in working with government institutions at different levels (decentralized and centralized), NGOs and CSO in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
- Experience with conflict-sensitive approaches to development cooperation and experience implementing projects in fragile contexts.
- Knowledge of legal framework on decentralization and border management.
- Good communication and facilitation skills of local actors in decentralization and in the cross-border context.
- Ability to contribute to project management in terms of capacity building of stakeholders involved in cross-border initiatives.
- Ability to collaborate effectively within diverse teams and multicultural environments, coupled with adept conflict resolution and stress management capabilities. Possessing a creative mindset, proactive initiative-taking attitude, and flexibility for frequent fieldwork assignments.
- Fluency in French and English both writing and socaking.
How to Apply
Interested and suitable applicants are to forward their Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a one-page cover letter stating their motivation to the position and added value to the project to [email protected] quoting the Job Code 2025/TA-CB/04/25 in the subject line. If you do not hear from us four (4) weeks after the deadline, please consider your application unsuccessful.
GIZ is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. All qualified candidates regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, race, and religion are encouraged to apply.
Deadline: 09.05.2025