Technical Advisor: Urban Development Mitigation & Adaptation - GIZ

Project Brief:

• 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.
• 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.

Scope of Role

• 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

Tasks:

• 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.
• Provide technical support in the identification, conceptualization, and early-stage development of climate-resilient infrastructure projects.
• Support pre-feasibility assessments and liaise with potential financiers and implementing partners.
• 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.
• 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.
• Develop and apply results-based monitoring frameworks to track the progress of climate action and infrastructure project pipelines.
• Ensure internal and external reporting complies with programme and donor requirements.
• Synthesize findings and best practices into strategic communication products, technical briefs, and learning materials.
• Represent and defend the interests of the project
  
  

Qualification Required & Experience

• Master's degree in in Urban Planning, Environmental Engineering, Geospatial Science, Climate Policy, Sustainable Infrastructure, or a related field.
• At least five 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.
• Solid understanding of the infrastructure project lifecycle, including feasibility assessments, co-benefit analysis, pre-concept development, procurement pathways, and integration of sustainability safeguards.
• 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
  
  

Location: Accra

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