Working with GIZ. Tips for junior and senior professionals | Experts’ Opinions

Working for the German Development Agency (GIZ), the country’s biggest aid-implementing organization, can be a rewarding and life-changing experience, offering the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects that have a positive impact on people’s lives around the world. GIZ has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas including economic and employment development, energy and the environment, and peace and security. The competition to land a job with GIZ is fierce but with proper preparation, the appropriate skills and useful tips, nothing is impossible. Check out the advice below from current and former GIZ employees and consultants which will definitely help you when applying for the job of your dreams.

DevelopmentAid: What major skills and requirements are necessary to begin a career with GIZ?

“Starting a career with GIZ requires a specific set of qualifications that reflect the nature of the work and the mission of the organization. Firstly, previous field work is essential: internships, volunteer work, or previous jobs in development-related fields are just a few examples. This proves the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations and an understanding of the challenges of aid work. Having a relevant educational background is also necessary but not always the main criteria for securing a job with GIZ. While having a degree in areas such as international development, economics, political science, or environmental studies can be beneficial, practical work experience and strong interpersonal skills are also highly valued by GIZ. In addition, GIZ is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes applicants from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds. Ultimately, GIZ looks for candidates who can demonstrate a passion for development work, a commitment to sustainable development goals, and the ability to work collaboratively in a diverse and multicultural environment (this is a crucial factor). Candidates should demonstrate a deep understanding of development concerns and sustainable development goals. This requires a thorough knowledge of issues such as poverty reduction, climate change, gender equality, and human rights. Competence in English is mandatory, as it is the primary working language at GIZ. A good command of the German language is also considered advantageous, as GIZ is headquartered in Germany, and proficiency in the language can facilitate communication and collaboration with German-speaking colleagues and partners.”

“Show and express willingness to learn new things every day. Demonstrate deep knowledge in the field you are working in. I worked on a program that aimed to strengthen civil societies and I showed in the interview and over the years of working in GIZ how knowledgeable I was and that I could truly contribute. Excellent time management and the ability to work under extreme pressure are mandatory to start and succeed in GIZ. Problem-solving skills are much needed and therefore it is necessary to demonstrate this ability. Finally, relevant education and work experience are necessary too.”

“I do believe that stress management and resilience are a must for accomplishing the assigned tasks in an effective and efficient way. This is a generic term featuring abilities such as time management, and prioritizing tasks. Interpersonal skills and effective communication (verbal and written) are also very important in addition to certain technical skills that match each position, as well as flexibility. Computer literacy and software knowledge (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, etc) are also required for GIZ planning and organization skills as is the capacity to be able to make decisions.”

“GIZ is a large international organisation with various expert requirements. Common requirements are language and computer skills along with project management abilities. It should be understood that working for GIZ involves working for a project that has a start and an end and this requires project management organisation and approach which further involves identifying problems, providing the tools to solve these and the achieving project goal with a predefined outcome. Anyone who speaks English along with another language, is computer literate, has a knowledge of managing projects or has worked on a project and has a defined set of expertise (i.e., health, environment, strategic development) has the skills necessary to apply for an open position that these skills meet.”

“Firstly, experience in the subject or the field of work is the most essential requirement for working with GIZ. Secondly, project management and especially how GIZ manages its projects. Thirdly, good English as a lingua franca, the ability to speak and understand German is an added value, and the ability to speak the language of the country of destination is sometimes preferred.”

“To work for GIZ, you must have the relevant knowledge and skills, an appropriate education background, be well-informed about developments and policies in the respective disciplines. You need to have a practical knowledge of the job and be able to demonstrate professional mindfulness and applications that are useful in achieving the anticipated changes and promoting the organization’s image.”

DevelopmentAid: What challenges are faced when applying for a GIZ position?

“Applying for employment with GIZ is often a highly competitive process. The organization receives a large number of applications for its open positions, and the hiring process can be quite selective. As a result, applicants may face a significant amount of competition for each position they apply for. In addition, the hiring process at GIZ can often involve protracted waiting times. This can be challenging for applicants and may cause frustration or anxiety during the application process. Another challenge that applicants may face when applying for employment with GIZ is the requirement to be adaptable and flexible when working in various cultural and political situations. GIZ operates in many different countries around the world, and each of these countries has its own unique cultural and political context. As a result, employees of GIZ must be able to navigate these differences and work effectively in a variety of different environments. Overall, applying for employment with GIZ can be a challenging process but, for those who are committed to the organization’s mission and values, the opportunity to work in a diverse and dynamic environment focused on sustainable development can be highly rewarding.”

“I think that the challenges most faced when applying for a GIZ position are as follows: applying for the job without a full understanding of the job specifications and compliance with the work experience requirements as well as the required qualifications. The deadline should be considered (the application should be sent before the deadline). The CV should align with the requirements of the job and the previous experience has to match the job description .”

“GIZ provides an excellent environment to work in. Therefore, the competition for GIZ jobs is very high and applicants need to have competitive advantages and skills.”

“A major challenge when applying for a GIZ position is to be noticed among the multitude of candidates. GIZ receives hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of applications for one single open position and it is crucial for a participant’s resume to be noticed. Therefore, it is important to use the EU standard CV format, write clearly (sharp, short, non-confusing sentences), and place emphasis on work experience that matches the open position, using key terminology that is written in the terms of reference for the open position.”

DevelopmentAid: What mistakes do some young professionals make when applying for a GIZ position?

“Applying for a position at GIZ requires careful consideration and attention to detail in order to increase the chances of being selected for the role. Unfortunately, some young professionals make common mistakes that can harm their chances of being hired. One common mistake is failing to customize the application to the specific job and project. GIZ has a wide range of projects and positions, each with its own unique requirements and responsibilities. It is important to thoroughly read the job description and tailor the application materials, such as the cover letter and resume, to the specific job and project being applied for. This shows the hiring team that the applicant has taken the time to understand the role and is genuinely interested in the opportunity. Another mistake is failing to demonstrate a solid grasp of development issues and sustainable development goals. As a development agency, GIZ places a strong emphasis on sustainable development and addressing the challenges facing developing countries. It is important to research and understand the issues and goals that GIZ is working towards, and to show how the applicant’s skills and experience align with those goals. Lastly, failing to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position can also damage an applicant’s chances. It is important to carefully review the job description and identify the key skills and experience required for the role. The application materials should then highlight those skills and experience, displaying the applicant’s qualifications for the job. In summary, it is important for young professionals to take the time to carefully tailor their application materials to the specific job and project, demonstrate a solid grasp of development issues and sustainable development goals, and highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position in order to increase their chances of being hired by GIZ.”

“The main mistake when applying for any position is not learning about the employer, the position, the work and the project. The employer, in our case GIZ, will immediately know if someone is not familiar with their business operations.”

DevelopmentAid: How do you prepare for a GIZ interview?

“When being interviewed for a position with GIZ, it is important to thoroughly prepare in order to present oneself as a qualified and well-informed candidate. This includes conducting extensive research on the position being applied for, as well as the broader goals and objectives of the organization. Demonstrating a solid understanding of the project objectives is particularly important, as GIZ operates on the principle of sustainable development and has a specific focus on addressing the challenges facing developing countries. This means that interviewees should be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the development sector and show how their skills and experience are relevant to the organization’s goals. Providing specific examples of one’s knowledge and expertise can help to demonstrate that the interviewee is capable of making a valuable contribution to GIZ. For example, if the position requires experience in project management, the interviewee could discuss a successful project they have managed in the past and explain how the skills they used in that project would be applicable to the work they would be doing at GIZ. Overall, succeeding in a GIZ interview requires a combination of research, preparation, and the ability to demonstrate one’s skills and experience in a way that is relevant to the organization’s goals and objectives. By taking the time to prepare thoroughly and present oneself as a well-informed and qualified candidate, it is possible to increase the chances of securing a position with GIZ.”

“It was unclear to me whether it was a technical or competency- based interview. Therefore, it was hard to focus and it ended up as a mix of both. Technical questions were asked as well as competency-related ones. I was well prepared. The interview was easy and to the point, but I could not read the interviewers’ faces to know whether they agreed with me or not, whether they liked my answers or not. I think the inability to read people’s faces was mainly related to cultural differences rather than anything else. Demonstrate all the skills mentioned above in the interview and highlight how qualified you are and willing to learn.”

“Be on time for the job interview, dress well, make equal distribution of eye contact with the interview committee members. It is of utmost importance that candidates carefully read all about GIZ, its vision, mission (mandate), and values before the job interview.”

“When the HR department is looking at the candidate’s application for the first time, this takes no more than ten seconds; when the application is shortlisted, then it’s read more thoroughly; when the applicant is invited for an interview then half of the process has been completed. To prepare for this interview it is important to become familiar with the terms of reference for the open position and/or project and become very familiar with the GIZ website. Try to implement and use the vocabulary used by GIZ.”

DevelopmentAid: What are the main challenges and benefits of working for GIZ?

“Working for GIZ requires individuals to possess a strong ability to navigate the complexities of development concerns, as well as being adaptable and flexible when working in diverse cultural and political environments. Additionally, due to the high number of projects GIZ operates in each country, the workload can be demanding and overwhelming at times, requiring individuals to be able to prioritize tasks effectively to ensure timely project completion. In addition, GIZ operates in many developing countries where resources may be scarce, and time constraints can be a significant challenge. Hence, employees must be able to work to tight deadlines and prioritize their work to ensure project delivery. However, despite these challenges, working for GIZ offers numerous advantages. The opportunity to work on meaningful initiatives that make a positive impact on people’s lives can be highly rewarding and fulfilling. Furthermore, collaborating with a multicultural and international workforce provides valuable exposure to different perspectives and approaches to problem solving. Finally, the potential for professional development at GIZ is significant, with ample opportunities for training, skill-building, and career advancement.”

“GIZ provides a great learning environment. GIZ offers job training in their AIZ academy in Bonn on a yearly basis for staff members. Another benefit is sharing and exchanging knowledge with all the international staff members who come to the country as advisors. A huge challenge is getting to work with different cultures and understanding the cultural differences.”

“A major benefit of working with GIZ is that people have the opportunity to learn a lot from the professional way that GIZ manages its projects, and from the systematic and very well-organized management. A big challenge of working with GIZ is the expectations from employees in terms of their abilities to adjust to the local context they work in and their ability to learn the rules and processes of work at GIZ.”

“The main challenge in my opinion is not applying and being chosen for the GIZ position. Successful candidates have to consider how to sustain and ensure stability in the position and how to grow and improve in the position (each manager has a specific management style, and analysing direct line manager requirements and needs and expectations is very important).m Among the benefits: the work environment in GIZ is wonderful, very flexible and adaptable with circumstances. GIZ also provide full medical insurance.”

“In general there are no challenges working for GIZ. All GIZ colleagues are very polite, friendly and easy to work with. From my personal experience, it was a challenge to slow down my pace of work coming from an entrepreneurial background. With regard to the benefits, there are many, of which one is the employment reference that GIZ provides as a reputable international organization. The second main benefit is access to both government and non-government professional networks.”

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GIZ is the main German development agency, operating in many fields across more than 120 countries. By becoming a DevelopmentAid Individual Professional Member, you can access more than 18,000 tenders, over 300 grants, and 80 international jobs, published by GIZ.