TECHNICAL ADVISOR – BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT (BDS)

OVERVIEW

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federal enterprise that supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ operates in more than 130 countries worldwide and has been working in Malawi for over 50 years.

In Malawi, German international cooperation focuses on health and social protection, private sector development, good governance, and food security and nutrition.

GIZ Malawi invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced professionals for the position of Technical Advisor – Business Development Support (BDS) under the ENGAGE Project.

The successful candidate will support renewable energy businesses in Malawi to improve their management systems, strengthen operational efficiency, attract investment and become ready for due diligence and carbon financing.

JOB TYPE: Not specified in the provided advert

Date Posted: Saturday, 31st October 2026

Application Deadline: Wednesday, 11th November 2026

Duty Station: Lilongwe, Malawi

PROJECT BACKGROUND

GIZ implements the Energising Development (EnDev) activities under the ENGAGE Project. ENGAGE aims to accelerate the energy transition in Africa by strengthening continental leadership in energy, advancing regional power markets, facilitating dialogue between the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU) and EU Member States, and expanding national energy access in selected countries through EnDev.

In Malawi, EnDev has been implemented jointly with the Ministry of Energy since 2013. The programme has contributed to improved energy access for:

• 2,079,670 people at household level.
• 521 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
• 121 social institutions.

During its new phase under ENGAGE, EnDev Malawi will focus on:

• Improved Cookstoves (ICS) for households.
• Solar-powered electrical appliances for productive uses of electricity (PUE).
• Clean cooking solutions for households, particularly higher-tier cooking (HTC).

The programme will adopt a professionalisation approach to stimulate market growth through technical advice, business development services, results-based finance and improved access to finance.

JOB SUMMARY

The Technical Advisor – Business Development Support will provide technical assistance to renewable energy companies to strengthen their business operations and improve their readiness for investment and carbon financing.

The role will focus on assessing company needs, providing business development services, improving management systems, supporting digitalisation and developing innovative approaches to improve business efficiency and market growth.

The successful candidate will work closely with the EnDev team, renewable energy businesses, agricultural stakeholders, financial institutions, government partners and other development organisations.

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Business Development Support

• Work within an integrated, interdisciplinary team addressing energy access across all EnDev Malawi commissions.
• Support the Team Leader in general project management.
• Provide technical support to business development activities, including company needs assessments, delivery of business development services (BDS) and assessment of results.
• Lead the conceptualisation of measures and activities to improve the efficiency of supported companies.
• Support businesses in strengthening management systems and achieving readiness for due diligence and carbon financing.

2. Market Research and Business Innovation

• Conduct research on the latest market developments in supported renewable energy markets.
• Identify innovations in consumer finance, distribution, marketing and digitalisation.
• Contribute to the development of innovative approaches and concepts for business development.
• Support discussions with REIAMA on addressing foreign exchange (FOREX) limitations through collaboration with agricultural producers and exporters as a potential mechanism for earning foreign exchange outside Malawi.

3. Project Management and Coordination

• Collaborate with technical experts working on photovoltaic productive uses of electricity (PV-PUE), cooking solutions and results-based financing (RBF).
• Coordinate with cross-cutting functions, including Communication, Monitoring and Evaluation, Knowledge Management and Gender.
• Support the preparation of procurement documents and service contract requests.
• Manage consultants and ensure proper documentation of all contracts.
• Support project implementation, planning, coordination and reporting.

4. Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Development

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with renewable energy companies, financial managers, agribusinesses, smallholder farmers, commercial farmers, REIAMA, NGOs and government partners.
• Collaborate with other GIZ Technical Advisors to ensure smooth information sharing.
• Support the translation of national-level activities into district-level implementation.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and capacity strengthening within the energy sector.
• Facilitate collaboration among businesses and stakeholders to strengthen renewable energy markets.

5. General Responsibilities

• Contribute to the further development of innovative approaches and business development concepts.
• Provide technical input to improve the professionalisation of renewable energy businesses.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned by management.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Academic Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Energy, Finance, Business Administration, Agriculture (including Agribusiness), Economics or an equivalent qualification.

Professional Experience

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in renewable energy, environmental or development projects, with demonstrated experience supporting companies to become investment-ready.
• At least three (3) years of experience managing a start-up, SME or established business in a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Chief Financial Officer (CFO) role, with practical experience establishing business functions and teams.
• At least two (2) years of experience working as a Business Development Services (BDS) provider or with training entities.
• At least one (1) year of professional experience in project management, including results-based planning and monitoring, coordination with partners and service providers, and support for implementation and reporting.

ADDED ADVANTAGES

The following will be an added advantage:

• Experience working with SMEs in the agricultural sector, particularly in marketing crops outside Malawi.
• Experience promoting the productive use of solar energy.
• Experience working with financial institutions, venture capital (VC) funds or similar entities.

ADDITIONAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

• Proven ability to communicate successfully with diverse stakeholders, including managers of renewable energy companies, company finance managers, agribusinesses, smallholder farmers, commercial farmers, REIAMA, NGOs and government partners.
• Strong ability to work independently, take initiative and apply creative problem-solving.
• Effective teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and knowledge-transfer skills.
• Ability to build professional relationships and coordinate activities across different stakeholders.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent communication skills in English and Chichewa.
• German language proficiency is not required but will be an added advantage.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should apply through the official GIZ Malawi recruitment website.

Application Link: https://www.giz-jobs.com/malawi/

Applicants should visit the recruitment portal, locate the Technical Advisor – Business Development Support vacancy and follow the application instructions provided.

Closing Date: Wednesday, 11th November 2026.

GIZ is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from individuals regardless of gender, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, age or any other protected characteristic. The organisation values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all employees are valued and respected.