Digital Infrastructure Technical Expert

The Data Economy Project, part of the Global Programme Digital Transformation commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU), aims to improve conditions for a value-generating data economy across macro, meso, and micro levels. Under this mandate, it implements the EU Action “Data Governance in Africa”, the first Team Europe initiative on data economy and an official flagship under the EU Global Gateway Strategy.

This joint initiative of Belgium, France, Finland, Estonia, and Germany, co-funded by the European Commission, seeks to strengthen the data sovereignty of African partner countries and foster local value creation from data. It supports the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities, and Member States in:

1. Developing data policy frameworks,
   

2. Creating data use cases to demonstrate value and enable cross-border data flows,
   

3. Identifying investments in secure and green data infrastructure in Africa.
   

To promote green and secure infrastructure, GIZ is establishing a Digital Investment Facility (DIF) for Sub-Saharan Africa in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finland and the Finnish HAUS Institute. The DIF facilitates investments in environmentally friendly and cyber-secure data infrastructure (Data Centres, Internet Exchange Points), leveraging the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) and other EU Member State funding.

The DIF strengthens partnerships between public and private sectors as well as European Development Finance Institutions (EDFIs), fostering collaboration between European and African actors in line with the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy. Its resources will prioritize regions with the greatest demand, capacity for viable infrastructure projects, and sustainable market potential. By bridging the gap between European financing opportunities and African infrastructure markets, the DIF will help unlock investment and growth in Africa’s data economy.

Within this context, we are seeking a Digital Infrastructure Technical Expert to implement Data Economy Project activities under the DIF in the East African region. The expert will join a global, multicultural team of up to 10 professionals based in Finland, Germany, Senegal, Kenya, and South Africa.

The Digital Infrastructure Technical Expert is responsible for:

• Implementing the DIF’s activities relating to:
  

1. enhancing stakeholders’ capacities in Africa and Europe to design, promote and operate green and secure data infrastructure as well as in understanding and applying international environmental and cybersecurity standards in SSA;
   

2. providing the European Commission and EDFIs with market analyses identifying gaps and market failures as well as mapping of promising investment opportunities in line with the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy on green and secure data infrastructure in SSA;
   

3. facilitating interactions between African project promoters and EDFIs on sound bankable investment projects for EDFIs’ consideration through selecting and supporting projects of key stakeholders to become economically and technically feasible, robust, environmentally friendly, and secure.
   

• Develop and foster partnerships across all levels including the public sector, private sector, academia, and civil society to drive project goals by forming alliances between key infrastructure players.
  

• Effectively manage a network of local and regional project partners as well as steering of consultants and other service providers.
  

• Developing ownership for the overall project concept and its delivery in Eastern Africa by pro-actively identifying opportunities
  

• Support planning, procurement processes, financial management and monitoring of the project activities.
  

• Contribute actively to reports (regular and ad-hoc), PR materials, and other related tasks to reporting and communication for the DIF
  

• Coordinate closely with the other projects within the Global Program and beyond to ensure alignment
  

TASKS

The Technical Expert will perform the following tasks under disciplinary and technical supervision of the Global Programme’s DIF team lead.

Technical advice for implementation of project activities

• Implement DIF’s activities related to capacity building, market assessments , infrastructure project preparation, and project advisory services. This includes, e.g.:
  

1. Provide training activities within the Eastern Africa region
   

2. Draft terms of reference for DIF’s activities to mobilise external expertise
   

3. Review, comment and accompany the set-up of potential financial agreements
   

4. Support activities by implementing partners, follow-up and ensure that quality results are delivered in a timely manner
   

Project management

• Actively support project planning for partnerships activities within the DIF
  

• Prepare and manage consultancy assignments and financing agreements, and monitor service providers in completing their tasks
  

• Support in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of project activities, and reporting.
  

• Manage meetings and events with partners, service providers and other relevant stakeholders
  

• Support knowledge management and public relation of the programme, including documentation of lessons learnt, best practices, case studies and success stories
  

• Support the preparation of communication materials and progress updates to BMZ and the European Commission
  

Partnerships and network management

• Initiate and foster partnerships with government, private sector, academia, and civil society actors in East Africa
  for the DIF

• Manage a network of project partners consisting of African and European stakeholders
  

• Keep positive and productive relations with implementing partners, and other stakeholders
  

Other duties/additional tasks

• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned
  

Required Qualifications, competences,
and experience

The Digital Infrastructure Technical Expert should have the following qualifications, competences, and experiences:

Educational Qualifications

• University Degree in information and communication technology, computer science, computer engineering,
  industrial engineering, or related field

Professional experience

• At least 4 years of work experience in related field
  
• Substantial experience in project management (conceptualisation, planning, coordination, steering, monitoring), particularly regarding digital / data infrastructure such as data centres and internet-exchange-points
  
• Experience in assessing, steering, supporting the conceptualisation of infrastructure business models incl. technical, economic, legal, environmental, operational, and scheduling aspects
  

• Knowledge of common global and / or regional specifications in the data infrastructure industry particularly European environmental and cybersecurity provisions
  

• Very good understanding of international and particularly digital connectivity on the African continent
  

• Experience in preparing and supporting the implementation of trainings, ideally related to cybersecurity standards, digital services and markets, environmental and energy-efficiency guidelines for data infrastructure, sustainable business models for data infrastructure, for governmental and private sector stakeholders, among others
  

• Proven skills and experience in networking and fostering partnerships in the digital connectivity field. An existing network in African ecosystems, particularly in West, East, or Southern Africa, and beyond is an advantage
  
• Experience in working with and / or advising government institutions on digital topics; an understanding of investment-related aspects of digital
  connectivity will be an advantage
• Proven work experience in the East Africa region, experience in development cooperation is desired
  

Other knowledge, additional competences

• Excellent communication and presentation skills
  
• Demonstrated ability to communicate in both written and spoken English at high level. Knowledge of Swahili and / or other local language is an advantage
  
• Ability and willingness to work in a dynamic, international team under minimal supervision
  

• Strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to cooperate effectively with colleagues and partners
  

• Self-starter who works independently and has a flexible attitude but is a strong team player simultaneously
  

• Very good working knowledge of ICT technologies (related software, phone, email, internet), Excel and other computer applications (e.g. MS Office)
  

Duration of Assignment

Initial contract up to December 2025 with a possibility of extension.

Duty Location

The duty location is Nairobi, Kenya. The willingness for regular business trips in the region is expected.

Submission of Application

Vacancy Reference Number: GIZ/SED/01/09/2025

Equal Employment Opportunity

At GIZ Kenya, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. We actively seek individuals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills to build a stronger, more impactful global team.

We provide an environment of respect and psychological safety, ensuring equal employment opportunities for all. Discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, disability, marital status, or any other protected status is not tolerated in any of our workplaces.

Ethics

GIZ is committed to the safety, dignity, and well-being of all individuals we interact with, including staff, partners, community members, and program participants. We uphold the highest standards in preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. Child abuse or any form of misconduct by or toward team members is strictly prohibited.

All staff are expected to behave professionally, respect local laws and customs, and complete mandatory ethics e-learning courses upon hire.

Data Confidentiality

In accordance with GIZ’s data protection policy, all candidate applications are stored in our database for six (6) months and deleted thereafter.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.