Background

The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) is critical for the food security, livelihoods and economic development of ten states in eastern and southern Africa, supporting an estimated 60 million people. Prominent blue economy sectors include fisheries, tourism, shipping, extractives and aquaculture. However, population growth, unsustainable consumption, pollution and climate change impacts are placing increasing pressure on fragile coastal and marine ecosystems.

In response, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) commissioned GIZ to implement ProsperBlue. The programme partners with a diversity of regional, national, and local organizations to support them collaborate and contribute to the protection and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity in the WIO region through an inclusive and sustainable blue economy (ISBE). Managed from Nairobi, Kenya, ProsperBlue partners with the Nairobi Convention, an intergovernmental environmental agreement and platform covering the WIO and coordinated by UNEP. It has also helped to establish the multi-stakeholder “Our Blue Future” initiative, now with 35 partners focused on an ISBE.

SWIOP is a multi-country, multi-partner programme supporting sustainable blue economy development and regional cooperation in nine countries of the WIO. SWIOP is coordinated at regional level by the European Union Delegation to Tanzania with the support of GIZ ProsperBlue. ProsperBlue is implementing Pillar 2 of the EU-funded Sustainable Western Indian Ocean Programme (SWIOP). Pillar 2 aims to facilitate investment in a sustainable blue economy and has three outputs:

2.1 focusing on the development of an investment pipeline.

2.2 focusing on catalyzing investment; and

2.3 focusing on strengthening the maritime labour market in the WIO to international standards.

As a Technical Advisor - Maritime Training, you will be responsible for the technical, operational, and administrative planning, implementation and steering of Output 2.3, managing all related activities, interventions, and partnerships, including a larger international consultancy assignment.

Your tasks

• Independently lead and oversee the implementation of output 2.3 of SWIOP-Invest
  

• Conceptualize, plan and manage curriculum upgrading, standardization of occupational frameworks, alignment with international maritime training standards (e.g. STCW), and the development of harmonized qualification systems for seagoing personnel
  

• Establish and coordinate regional and national cooperation mechanisms among maritime education and training institutions, accreditation bodies, national maritime authorities and industry stakeholders to promote mutual recognition of maritime certifications and training
  equivalency.

• Support the systematic capacity development of Maritime Training Centres, trainers and regulatory authorities, including the development of continuous professional development schemes, curricular, pedagogical upgrading and technical workshops.
  

• Ensure all activities appropriately integrate the project’s cross-cutting priorities — gender inclusion, youth employment, climate resilience, marine conservation and integrated ocean governance.
  

• Represent the Action (SWIOP) externally with government, EU and BMZ stakeholders, regulatory agencies, maritime academies, Nairobi Convention structures and public, private and civil society partners at national and regional levels.
  

• Manage quality assurance and reporting to EU and BMZ standards, ensuring compliance with donor requirements, contribution to corporate communication products and structured knowledge management.
  

• Manage and oversee consulting firms, contracting partners and/or grant recipients.
  

• Contribute to the broader objectives of SWIOP including to Outputs 2.1 and 2.2, advancing Global Gateway-aligned innovation and infrastructure development
  

Your profile

Required:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as marine, ocean or maritime studies, or another relevant discipline such as technical education.
  

• Five years of experience in skills development and employment promotion in East Africa, including workforce qualification systems, TVET, curriculum development, strengthening training systems and institutes, trainer capacity development, and standardization of occupational profiles
  

• Five years of experience working for an international development organization on cooperation with the private sector in Africa, ideally with solid networks in the blue economy/maritime sectors.
  

• Strong strategic and analytical capabilities, with the ability to translate policy priorities and industry needs into reform processes.
  

• Demonstrated management, coordination, facilitation and communication skills required to work in complex political and multi-institutional environments with diverse partner structures.
  

• High social and intercultural competence with good political intuition and ability to work in a team.
  

Desirable

• Knowledge of GIZ procedures, rules and standards, including procurement and contract management, commissioning of consultants, monitoring and evaluation, financial/administrative compliance, donor reporting and knowledge management.
  

• Experience in conceptualizing and managing complex consulting services and financing
  contracts in the area of blue economy, ocean governance and capacity development for institutions and local governments

• Digital affinity and qualifications as well as willingness to promote innovative solutions.
  

Submission of Application: