Community Advisor

CAREER OPPORTUNITY  

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is the implementing agency of the Federal Republic of Germany for technical and international cooperation. It offers flexible, sustainable and effective solutions in political, economic and social change processes. Most of the work of GIZ is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). GIZ also operates on behalf of other German ministries as well as public and private bodies in Germany and abroad. These include the European Commission, the United Nations, the World Bank and governments of other countries.

The “Integrated Water Catchment Management and Landscape Protection (AWARE 2.0)” project is cofinanced by the European Union (EU), Sweden and the Federal Ministry of Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ. AWARE 2.0 aims at “Improved integrated management of water catchments including landscape protection with a focus on agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, water and climate”. The project works on national and at local level with focus on the Lower Kafue Sub-Catchment (LKSC) addressing the following intervention areas:

1.   Improved capacities of the central government to execute its mandate for the integrated management of water catchments, including landscape protection with a focus on climate adaptation 

2.   Improved capacities of decentralised authorities to plan, protect and sustainably manage water catchment ecosystems with focus on climate adaptation in the selected landscape

3.   Improved capacities of Water Resources Management (WRM) governance structures to sustainably manage water resource disputes in the LKSC

4.   Scaled-up measures for water catchment management, landscape restoration and protection and climate adaptation

5.   Improved access to water resources for communities in the LKSC 

In this context, the project is seeking a suitable candidate for the following position: 

Community Advisor– Salary Band 4 (based in Mazabuka)

As Advisor Community engagement you co-lead the restoration and protection, especially the implementation of Nature Based Solutions (NbS), in the Lower Kafue Sub-Catchment. You are thereby responsible for the restoration of 50,000 ha in the Lower Kafue Sub-Catchment. You provide technical advice to the various AWARE 2.0 implementation partners, especially the 10 partner districts and the AWARE 2.0 grant NGO partners, Solidaridad and the International Crane Foundation. You are further responsible to steer and monitor the overall engagement with local communities and traditional leaders in the target landscape, thereby taking up a critical role for the implementation success and sustainability of the project. 

Main tasks and responsibilities

•  Co-leadership to coordinate implementation of project activities to restore 50,000 ha in project region and benefit 120,000 people
• Provide technical, financial and administrative guidance and monitoring to the implementation of 11 Local Contribution Agreements with local district partners
• Provide technical guidance, administrative backstopping and monitoring of implementation of more than 15,000 ha sustainable rangeland management with grant partner, local district partners and Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
• Spearhead high-level engagements with traditional leaders including establishment and implementation of formalized cooperation agreements with key chiefs/chieftainess to enhance the restoration and protection of natural resources
• Lead the implementation of a participatory community engagement model for restoration and protection measures across forestry, water, wetlands, and rangelands, ensuring long-term ownership, sustainability, and measurable impact to enable us to reach scale.
• Lead the implementation of all gender-related activities in the project, including implementation of capacity building in team and among partners
• Steer cooperation with Green Nexus Partners and partner districts in Southern Province

Qualifications and Requirements:

•  Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field (e.g. Development Studies, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Management/Science, Forestry, Livestock/ Agricultural Management etc)
• A Master’s degree or PhD in relevant field will be an added advantage 

Professional experience

•  Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in community engagement for water/forestry/natural resources management/rangeland management
• Demonstrated experience working with districts, communities and traditional authorities
• Demonstrated project management experience
• Demonstrated experience in climate resilience, integrated water resources management or environmental management
• Experience in steering complex multi-stakeholder processes
• Experience and familiarity with GIZ processes is considered a strong advantage
• Experience with work on gender/safeguards in the context of natural resources management is considered a strong advantage
• Experience in working for an international organisation is an added advantage

Other knowledge and additional competences

•  Minimum one relevant local language on proficient level spoken in project region (especially Nyanja or Tonga)
• Self-motivated and proactive
• Ability to structure, steer, implement and monitor processes
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills
• High level of digital proficiency required
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, especially when collaborating with a broad range of stakeholders
• Fluency in English, with very good writing skills
• Excellent IT skills (e.g. MS Office, online research, etc.); ability to learn new tools
• Must be a team player and is expected to work well in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment
• Practical experience working in a politically sensitive context is an asset 

The successful candidate will be expected to start employment with GIZ, on a fixed term contract.

Application deadline:13 September 2026

Please understand, that we can only accept and process applications via our E-recruiting system . Applications should meet the following criteria:

• Cover letter must be uploaded using font type Arial, size 11. In the first paragraph, please outline your motivation for applying for the position. In the second paragraph, outline your experience in the position.
• CVs must be submitted in PDF not exceeding three (3) pages. Do not indicate your marital status, religion, political affiliation or insert your photo.
• Certificates, qualifications, etc. must not be attached to the application.
• Traceable references of previous engagements must be provided.

GIZ is a signatory of the Diversity Charter. Recognition, appreciation and inclusion of diversity in the company are important to us. All employees shall be valued - regardless of gender and gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, social background or age.

GIZ would like to increase the proportion of employees with disability. People with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.