Technical Advisor Software Engineer – GIZ RWANDA

Regional Vacancy Announcement

Technical Advisor Software Engineer

A. About GIZ and the Project

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federally owned international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. The GIZ Office in Kigali covers GIZ’s portfolio in Rwanda and Burundi and as well as selected regional activities and projects. GIZ Rwanda/Burundi implements projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the European Union and other commissioning authorities in the following priority areas: Sustainable Economic Development; Good Governance; Climate, Energy and Sustainable Urban Development; Digital Transformation and Digital Economy; and regional projects in the Great Lakes Region.

The Cluster Digital Transformation & Digital Economy and the “Digital Delivery Unit” implement projects in Rwanda (under the guidance of the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT) and with other ministries), with local and international private companies, research institutions and the civil society as well as with regional partners incl. the East African Community and Smart Africa.

As part of the EU-EAC DEEP Program, the DDU implements a project on e-payments to enable and harmonize national payment systems and advance cross-border e-payments and their interoperability, including the interlinking of national switches.

In addition to implementing digital projects end-to end, the Digital Delivery Unit (DDU) also provides advisory services to GIZ projects and partners across all sectors, supporting them in scoping, planning and implementing digital solutions.

The Cluster Digital Transformation & Digital Economy Rwanda and the Digital Delivery Units are currently looking for an experienced individual, to drive the technical aspects of the project on cross-border e-payments, and to support other projects via our advisory service offering as: Technical Advisor Software Engineer.

The Technical Advisor Software Engineer performs the following responsibilities and tasks:

B. Responsibilities

• Plan and manage complex IT projects from scoping to go live
• Liaise with Partner and other internal and external stakeholders to ensure the IT implementation is aligned with the stakeholders’ and projects
  overall goals and capacities.
• Steer and manage external service providers and contracts incl. quality assurance and sign-off of work done
• Support the respective partner institutions and GIZ projects in their architecture and planning decisions
• 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.

C. Tasks

1. Project management and Stakeholder management

• Plan and manage complex IT projects incl. change management efforts (e.g. the interlinking of national switches), according to best practices and frameworks (e.g. Scrum)
• Prepare and propose key architectural decision and project plans
• Organize and facilitate meetings, and workshops with stakeholders and service providers, ensuring effective communication, execution and follow-ups (including e.g. sprint planning meeting, backlog refinement sessions, retro and review sessions).
• Work closely with other GIZ digital teams and experts to facilitate knowledge exchange and help harmonize approaches and refine the service offering
• Assist in preparing contracts, terms of reference, concept notes, reports, and briefings to support project activities.
• Work closely with the GIZ administration team to facilitate logistical and administrative processes.

2. Technical Advisory:

• Serve as inhouse consultant and subject matter expert on IT project planning and implementation, incl. architecture
• Lead the project scoping and planning phases to ensure requirements regarding solution and operation are well defined and fit the context and need of the respective users and organisation
• Conduct market research and analysis to understand solutions and actors in a given sector
• Work with project teams to ensure that solutions are effectively integrated into existing systems and processes.
• Provide guidance and support and advise on IT architecture activities

D. Required Qualifications, Competences and Experience

1. Qualifications and professional experience

• University (preferably Master) degree in a STEM field (preferably IT).
• Certification as Project Management Professional (PMI), scrum master, or similar is a plus
• At least 5 years of work experience in digitalization (e.g. as software engineer, architect or project manager) 7 years is a plus, experience working with governments is a plus
• At least 3 years’ experience working on/ implementing payment systems – ideally cross border payment systems (e.g. for financial service provider or central bank, switches) is a plus
• Proven experience in project management (conceptualization, planning, coordination, steering, monitoring).
• Proven experience in IT technology advisory to a team (planning, architecture, delivery standards, software engineering).
• Very good understanding of digital government, data governance frameworks incl. data protection, IT security and data sharing, as well as of digitalization challenges of public administrations
• Proven skills and experience in networking and fostering partnerships. An existing network in digital government in the region, and/or internationally is an asset.
• Experience in working with and/or advising government institutions on digital topics; a focus on public service delivery is desirable.

2. Other knowledge and additional competences

• Strong ability to translate between technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Results-driven, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Open to continuous learning and staying updated on new topics and trends.
• Proficiency in English (both oral and written) is required
• Proactive and pragmatic in the development and implementation of ideas and proposals
• Fine-tuned organizational skills, self-organized.
• Ability to build and manage internal and external relationships and build strategic partnerships and networks.

E. How to apply

Interested candidates should submit their application (motivation letter, updated CV, certificates and references), via our electronic job portal by using the button “apply”; until 4th November 2025 at 4:00 PM. All attachments should be put together in one PDF file not larger than 2 MB.

GIZ is a signatory of the Diversity Charter. Recognition, appreciation and inclusion of diversity in the company are important to us. All employees shall be valued – regardless of gender and gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, social background, age or sexual orientation. We support equal opportunities and welcome applications from people with disabilities. 

This includes the provision of reasonable accommodation, if needed, in order to participate in the job application and interview process and to perform essential job functions. Please let us know, if you have any particular requirements should you be invited for assessment/interview or that you wish us to consider, when considering your application. 

Women and persons with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for test and interview.

GIZ Office Rwanda

KN 41 St. / Nr.17, Kiyovu

P.O. Box 59, Kigali,

Rwanda

GIZ reserves all rights!

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