CAADP POLICY ADVISOR TO BE SECONDED TO THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION’S DEPARTMENT FOR AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, BLUE ECONOMY, AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT – GIZ AFRICAN UNION
Global Fund for Strengthening Human Capacities of Partners in Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Security (PeOPLE Fund)
Position: CAADP Policy Advisor
Place of Assignment: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Initial Contract Period: 01 September 2025 – 30 August 2027
Salary Band: The position is assigned to GIZ Salary Band 4 which is equivalent to AU P3
Application Deadline: 29 June 2025
ABOUT GIZ
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a global service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world. As a public-benefit federal enterprise, GIZ supports the German Government – in particular the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) – and many public and private sector clients in achieving their objectives in international cooperation in around 120 countries.
Since 2004, GIZ has been a reliable and trusted partner of the African Union (AU) to enhance inclusive growth and sustainable development on the African continent in line with the AU’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. With around 250 staff, GIZ African Union cooperates with the AU Commission, as well as the AU’s specialised institutions and agencies, such as the Development Agency AUDA-NEPAD, at continental, regional and national level in more than 40 member states. Key areas of engagement include Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, Governance, Sustainable Economic Growth, Health and Social Development, as well as Just Transition.
The Global Fund for Strengthening Human Capacities of Partners in Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Security (PeOPLE Fund) was commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in 2022 aiming to strengthen and build human capacities within partner organizations to better design and implement transformational processes to achieve sustainable agri-food systems. With the secondment and integration of experts, BMZ seeks to complement efforts of sectoral projects and programs of German Development Cooperation in Africa. The PeOPLE Fund fosters the identification and promotion of gender-transformative approaches in all its secondments.
BACKGROUND
Within the project portfolio of GIZ in the agri-food sector in Africa, some projects are directly linked to the Kampala agenda. For instance, the Global Project Sustainable Agricultural Policies and Systems (AgSys) supports inclusive agricultural reform processes towards a more sustainable agri-food system on national and regional level. In this context, a new component on Kampala domestication in six of AgSys’ partner countries will be added in 2025. Beyond that, synergies can be sought with several other projects in the GIZ African Union portfolio. In addition, the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) provides advisory to AUC-ARBE through a consortium of technical experts and embedded advisors as part of the “Agricultural Policy Dialogue”.
The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) is the African Union (AU)’s flagship programme for the agri-food sector since 2003. In 2025, the AU officially launched its Kampala Agenda which will guide the third decade of CAADP (2026–2035) in a food systems context. The African Union Commission’s Department for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (AUC-ARBE) has the political lead for the agenda, whereas the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) oversees coordination on the domestication at country and regional level, jointly with the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and AU Member States. Gender-transformative approaches and social inclusion are central to the Kampala Agenda: Commitment 4 acknowledges structural inequalities and power imbalances faced by women, youth and other vulnerable groups and calls for Advancing Inclusivity and Equitable Livelihoods.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The CAADP Policy Advisor (Policy Development) will provide technical and strategic support to the AUC in advancing agricultural policy coherence, institutional capacity, and alignment with continental frameworks. The Advisor will play a key role in supporting the domestication of CAADP Kampala Declaration commitments and the operationalization of the CAADP Results Framework.
MAIN ACTIVITIES
- Support to the coordination of the implementation of the Kampala Declaration in the agri-food sector.
- Support the alignment of National and Regional Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs and RAIPs) with CAADP Principles and the AU Agenda 2063.
- Facilitate policy dialogue and coordination among stakeholders, including governments, development partners, civil society, and the private sector.
- Contribute to the development of policy briefs, analytical reports, and strategic guidance notes, as they relate to the six Strategic Objectives.
- Work towards an inclusive implementation of the Kampala agenda, taking into account needs and perspectives of women, youth and non-state actors, through representation, targeted communication and knowledge dissemination, inclusive advisory, and identification promotion of gender-transformative approaches.
- Contribute to effective collaboration and cooperation with African Union Member States, African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), Regional Economic Communities, relevant United Nations agencies, international organizations, regional and national institutions, non-governmental organizations.
- Leverage synergies and foster contribution of GIZ’s African agri-food portfolio to the Kampala agenda on all levels by actively cooperating with relevant GIZ projects and units. This includes, but is not limited to, the Global Project AgSys, the Sector Project Agriculture and relevant projects within the GIZ AU portfolio.
- As seconded GIZ technical advisor to AUC-ARBE in Addis Ababa, day-to-day supervision will be from the Head of Division Agriculture and Food Security, with formal line management from GIZ.
- The willingness for frequent business trips within Africa is required.
REQUIREMENTS
- Advanced university degree Master’s in Agricultural Economics, Public Policy, Development Studies, or a related field. A PhD will be a great advantage.
- Minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience in agricultural policy development, preferably in Africa.
- Proven multi-year experience with the CAADP process, ideally on continental and national level.
- Demonstrated and thorough understanding of multi-sectoral coordination and food systems on the African continent.
- Competent appearance and demonstrated advisory experience at different political levels allow you to quickly win the acceptance of the partners.
- Outstanding diplomatic, intercultural and networking skills with the ability to navigate complex, multi-level partner systems and multi-stakeholder environments.
- Good understanding of Germany’s agri-food portfolio in Africa.
- A proactive, solution-oriented mindset, with a flexibility to adapt to a variety of environments and circumstances.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills in an intercultural context, with the ability to translate complex issues into actionable solutions.
- Business fluency in English is required. Proficiency in French and other AU-language skills are an advantage, with the ability to communicate effectively across different audiences and policy levels.
- Demonstrated competence in the area of gender equality and social inclusion.
- Previous work experience with the African Union Commission and/or GIZ is an asset.
HOW TO APPLY
The application should include:
- A motivational letter / letter of application
- A recent CV, including at least three referee contacts
Applications should be submitted via email to: [email protected]
Subject line: Policy Advisor – Your Name
Closing date for applications: 29 June 2025, midnight EAT.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
The position is open to nationals of AU member states.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
GIZ is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from individuals regardless of gender, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, age, or any other protected characteristic. We embrace diversity and believe that inclusivity in the workplace is essential to our success, and we are committed to creating a work environment where all employees are valued and respected.