Technical Advisor - BMFTR Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Readiness Initiative and AI Ecosystems

A. Background

About GIZ

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federal enterprise that implements German development policy around the globe. By providing international cooperation services for sustainable development, GIZ is dedicated to building a future worth living around the world. With over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment, energy and the environment as well as peace and security, GIZ also stands for and works towards the realization of human rights in the digital space.

About the Project Digital Transformation Center Kenya Phase II

In Kenya, the GIZ’s Digital Transformation Center (DTC) commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and cofinanced by the EU, supports the country in its transition towards a sustainable and human-centered digital economy.

The project is currently supporting the Kenyan government in the implementation of the Kenya National AI Strategy 2025-2030 as well as supporting the Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) project funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).

About the BMFTQ PQC Project

Much of today’s digital economy relies on encryption to protect personal, commercial, and government information. Advances in quantum computing could eventually make some of the cryptographic methods currently used to protect this information vulnerable. The challenge is particularly relevant for information that must remain confidential for many years. Sensitive information intercepted today could potentially be stored and decrypted in future once sufficiently capable quantum computers become available. Preparing early gives Kenya an opportunity to assess these risks, develop domestic expertise and avoid a costly or rushed transition later.

Funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the proposed German–Kenyan initiative seeks to prepare Kenya for the future cybersecurity risks arising from advances in quantum computing, while building a sustainable knowledge and technology partnership between Kenya and Germany. The project will work primarily with Kenyan academia, research institutions and private sector CII operators to establish a Quantum Safe Cryptography (QSC) testing environment, undertake selected industry pilots, develop specialised skills and generate practical guidance for Kenya’s future transition to Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC).

The Technical Advisor will be supporting both projects to achieve their mandates.

About the Kenya AI Implementation of the Kenya AI strategy

The Government of Kenya adopted the Kenya National AI Strategy 2025–2030 to position Kenya as a regional leader in ethical, inclusive, responsible and innovative AI. The Strategy is anchored on three pillars: AI digital infrastructure, data, and AI research, development and innovation, supported by four key enablers: governance, talent, investment, and ethics, equity and inclusion. GIZ DTC is working closely with the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (MICDE) to support the implementation of the Strategy. Within this framework, the Technical Advisor will work closely with the designated Component Lead to support Kenya’s AI Ecosystem.

The initiative will be implemented by GIZ Kenya via the Digital Transformation Centre Kenya II.

B. Responsibilities

General Responsibilities

• Support the Component Lead in day-to-day project planning, coordination, procurement and contracting processes, implementation and monitoring of activities, milestones, indicators and documentation of lessons learned good practices and project results.
  
• Coordinate communication and follow up with government institutions, universities, critical infrastructure operators, private sector partners and international experts and support communications and knowledge management, including documentation of lessons learned, good practices and project results and capacity building initiatives through study visits, technical workshops and knowledge exchange activities between Kenyan and International partners.
  
• Prepare project briefs, concept notes, meeting documentation, presentations, progress reports and maintain project monitoring tools, workplans, activity schedules, and documentation required for internal and donor reporting.
  

PQC Responsibilities

• Support the Cybersecurity Technical Advisor in organising technical activities, stakeholder consultations, trainings, workshops, pilot activities and documentation of results.
  
• Conduct background research and analysis on PQC, cybersecurity policy, critical infrastructure protection, digital governance and relevant international standards.
  

AI Ecosystem Responsibilities

• Map Kenya’s AI ecosystem, identifying key government institutions, startups, SMEs, academia, research institutions, investors, infrastructure providers and civil society actors and identify ecosystem gaps, partnership opportunities and potential areas of collaboration with European private-sector players.
  
• Develop a practical roadmap outlining priority interventions, investment opportunities, partnership models and financing mechanisms to strengthen Kenya’s AI ecosystem, improve access to data, compute, foundational models, markets and infrastructure for local innovators and align interventions with the Kenya National AI Strategy.
  

C. Required qualifications, competences and experience

Qualifications

• Completed university degree in computer science, information systems, cybersecurity, public policy, economics or a comparable discipline, preferably with exposure to digital transformation, business models in the sector of artificial intelligence.
  

Professional experience

• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in project coordination in the areas of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, technology policy, or international cooperation.
  
• 3 years' experience supporting multistakeholder projects involving government, private sector, academia, and development partners.
  
• 3 years' experience in project planning, monitoring, reporting, procurement or management of consultants and service providers and preparing analytical reports, concept notes, presentations, and stakeholder documentation on cybersecurity, AI, critical infrastructure protection, emerging technologies, digital transformation or related field.
  
• 3 years' experience in international projects.
  

Other knowledge, additional competences

• Knowledge of tools on stakeholder management, skilling and private sector cooperation;
  
• Good knowledge of GIZ processes and grant management with GIZ HQ;
  
• Intercultural competence working with local and international teams;
  
• Results and problem-solving orientation;
  
• Presentation and facilitation skills.
  
• Business fluent English required.
  

Assignment Details

Duty Station: Nairobi

Duration: 01/01/2027 - 31.12.2028

Vacancy Reference Number: GIZ/SED/06/11/2026

Equal Employment Opportunity

GIZ Kenya is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all and do not tolerate discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, disability, marital status, or any other protected status.

Ethics

GIZ is committed to safeguarding the safety, dignity, and well-being of staff, partners, community members, and programme participants. Sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, child abuse, and all forms of misconduct are strictly prohibited. Staff are expected to uphold high ethical standards, comply with local laws, and complete mandatory ethics training upon engagement.

Data Confidentiality

Candidate applications will be retained for six (6) months in accordance with GIZ's data protection policy and deleted thereafter.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.