Economic Cooperation Advisor

GIZ Office Kazakhstan would like to announce a new vacant position in the capacity of Economic Cooperation Advisor in the project “Scaling up sustainable investments for connectivity - Supporting investment agendas and corridors within the framework of the EU Global Gateway (EUGG)”.

The EU is redefining its global partnerships and has established the EU Global Gateway (EUGG) as a significant strategic element of its external aid since 2021. The central goal of EUGG is to mobilize up to 300 billion euros in investments by 2027 to bridge the estimated global investment gap of 3.8-4.5 trillion US dollars annually needed to achieve the SDGs by 2030. These investments are primarily aimed at the sectors of digitalization, energy, transport, health, education, and research, and will support closer connectivity between Europe and countries and regions in the Global South. This will be done through value-based investments that adhere to the highest social and environmental standards. The Federal Government and the BMZ actively support EUGG. A new investment agenda for European external aid focuses on the targeted mobilization of public and private funds as well as complementary contributions from Technical Cooperation. This necessitates new approaches in the design of dialogues and partnerships with partner countries and in the use of development policy instruments.

The aim of the measure is to promote investments in partner countries, reduce investment uncertainties, and make the added value of complementary technical cooperation visible. The measure strengthens the dialogue between partner countries and the actors of German and European development cooperation, thereby enabling economic development and employment for broader segments of the population.

Duty station: Astana, Kazakhstan

Application deadline: 21.08.2025

Responsibilities

• Coordinating all project-related activities in Central Asia together with a national advisor in the South Caucasus and a German advisor at GIZ headquarters, while ensuring the coordination with the team leader at GIZ headquarters and Brussels-based staff of the project;
• Close collaboration with relevant technical and financial cooperation projects in Central Asia and the South Caucasus, including coordination of local external experts and consultants;
• Building and maintaining close cooperation with the EU Delegation in Astana;
• Building and maintaining good partner relations with all project stakeholders such as ministries and agencies responsible for transport, infrastructure, investments, private sector representatives;
• Develop and implement multi-stakeholder dialogues between EU and Central Asian EUGG partner countries to identify specific challenges of the EUGG for Central Asia;
• Providing with policy updates to private sector stakeholders about EUGG investment projects in Central Asia;
• Supporting and developing knowledge products and advisory inputs that guide stakeholders through EU-Global Gateway compatible project development pathways;
• Developing and implementing concepts for better coordination between different international donors to increase efficiency and effectiveness of their measures with regards to EUGG;
• Provide policy analyses of relevant developments in Central Asia and other EUGG partner countries to identify specific challenges (fragility, capital costs, skills, digital transformation, etc.);
• Monitor the impacts of the project and preparing reports and communication materials;
• Where appropriate and reasonable, the position holder performs other duties and tasks upon the request of management.

Required qualifications, competences and experience

• University degree in economics, political science, educational science, engineering or similar field, related to the project’s goals.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in project management in sustainable development, infrastructure development or investment
• Strong understanding of the EU Global Gateway initiative and sustainable investment principles
• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and coordination at the national and international levels
• Excellent communication, negotiation, organizational and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Work experience in an international working environment, a government institution and/or the private sector
• Previous work experience with GIZ, within the German government or the European Union is an asset
• Fluent language skills in English and Russian are required. Kazakh and German Language skills are an asset
• Good working knowledge of IT technologies (related software, phone, email, the internet) and computer applications (e.g. MS Office)

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, age or sexual orientation.