Going abroad as a development worker

Transcription

1 Going abroad as a development worker

2 Development workers making a difference on the ground GIZ development workers come from a variety of professional backgrounds and provide advice in partner countries involved in international cooperation with Germany. They advise state and civil society organisations at local and municipal level. Advisory services are provided in areas ranging from economic development, employment promotion, democratisation and education to rural development, efficient health care systems and civil conflict transformation. Development workers are deployed in programmes that GIZ delivers on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). They focus on the local level and complement the services that GIZ provides at national and regional level. We second: >> Professionals as development workers >> Experts in the Civil Peace Service (CPS) Seconded personnel are deployed in a wide range of fields, each imposing varying requirements. We welcome applicants who: >> can bring professional experience, initiative and creativity to the role; >> are interested in carrying out an assignment in a country involved in development cooperation; >> would like to apply their advisory expertise in a new environment; >> want to demonstrate their consultancy and planning skills in an international context; >> are looking to broaden their communication competencies; >> would like to develop their language abilities and gain experience of another culture; >> want to work in interdisciplinary fields in a different cultural context; >> are looking to broaden their skills profile for their further career.

3 Prerequisites The prerequisites for carrying out an assignment as a development worker at GIZ are: >> Appropriate professional education and training including a university degree or equivalent; >> Several years of relevant professional experience (at least two years), including a trainer qualification where appropriate; >> Good command of at least one of the following languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian or Arabic; >> Citizen of an EU member state or Switzerland; >> Tolerance, social skills, advisory competence, gender sensitivity, openness to foreign cultures and willingness to work in new and unfamiliar environments.

4 Preparation Before development workers leave for the partner country, we prepare them and their accompanying spouse and children for the assignment. The aim is to enhance their cross-cultural and communication skills and help development workers reflect critically on their role as foreign experts. This preparation includes an in-house induction course that familiarises them with GIZ and their future responsibilities and gives them the opportunity to clarify organisational issues. Preparation in Germany also covers technical and language training. The duration of the preparation period depends on the specific profile of participants. The final phase of preparation takes place in the partner country itself with an introduction to GIZ s activities in the country and the development worker s role in the project. The GIZ Academy for International Cooperation Preparation takes place at GIZ s Academy for International Cooperation. >>

5 Financial benefits for development workers and peace experts As at: April 2011 As a development worker, you will receive a comprehensive and attractive benefits package based on the German development workers act. GIZ pays you a maintenance allowance with supplements for family members. For partner countries with a high cost of living, development workers receive a post adjustment. The GIZ Development Service also covers the cost of renting accommodation in your country of assignment. Additional benefits are: >> Costs of a return flight to your place of assignment; >> One-off payment to cover the costs of a furniture storehouse and baggage excess; >> Lump sum for furnishing the accommodation at the place of assignment; >> Annual special payment; >> Reintegration allowance.

6 GIZ also covers the cost of: >> Health care; >> Pension contributions for the development worker; >> Health, liability and accident insurance, including for family members; >> Insurance for household effects and travel luggage. Go to the website for a detailed description of the benefits: >> Application For current vacancies and information on the application procedure, visit our website at and proceed to the microsite development service. Please note that we are unable to consider speculative applications that do not relate to a specific project. You can apply for up to three positions at one time. To apply, fill out the online form by clicking on the button at the end of the corresponding job description. If you have problems accessing the website, you can apply via . You ll find the address in the job advertisement. Please attach the following documents to your application: >> Cover letter; >> CV; >> Photo; >> Academic and professional references. We also need information about: >> Periods spent abroad; >> Other knowledge and skills; >> Why you want to become a development worker. Applications generally take between four and eight weeks to process. If you are shortlisted, GIZ will invite you to a two-day assessment centre to determine your suitability.

7 Experts in the Civil Peace Service Civil Peace Service (CPS) experts work in complex environments in crisis and conflict regions and often under difficult conditions. As well as fulfilling the general requirements for development workers, these applicants should also: >> be solution-oriented; >> have an ability to empathise and be emotionally stable; >> have many years of experience in development cooperation or professional peace work; >> demonstrate knowledge of and experience in civil conflict transformation and peacebuilding. CPS experts have many different areas of specialism including sociology, psychology, political and social sciences, ethnology, journalism, law and social education. Training for CPS experts Between six and nine months after beginning their assignment, CPS experts take part in a training course addressing the particular challenges they face. This two-week course helps them analyse the conflict and intervention context as well as the process for achieving objectives in a way that relates closely to their immediate working environment. Based on the experience they have gained and the resources available on the ground, the training offers the CPS experts a professionally structured space for reflection and learning where their individual needs are taken into account and specialist coaching is offered. >>

8 Return After returning, development workers receive various kinds of support in Germany: >> A comprehensive information package on return to and reintegration in Europe; >> Special debriefing workshop (in German only); >> The Förderungswerk an organisation that provides support to returning development workers helps to reintegrate into the working world ( >> After at least twelve months working in a project, returnees who do not take up a position immediately in Germany are entitled to unemployment benefit. EU and Swiss citizens can apply to have German periods of employment taken into account when their unemployment benefit is calculated (Form PD U1). Staying involved after returning Returnees who want to get involved in development education or other forms of development engagement receive support from Engagement Global ggmbh. Engagement Global offers training and materials on development education and methodologies and provides logistical support in planning and carrying out activities. Former development workers are given assignments as speakers at educational and information events across Germany. Engagement Global also finances and provides information on development initiatives. >>

9 The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH The wide range of services offered by GIZ is based on a wealth of regional and technical expertise and on tried and tested management know-how. We are a federal enterprise and offer our commissioning parties workable, sustainable and effective solutions to support them in managing political, economic and social change processes. Most of our work is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). However, GIZ also operates on behalf of other German ministries and public and private bodies in Germany and abroad. These include governments of other countries, the European Commission, the United Nations and the World Bank.

10 Contact: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Specialised Business Unit Development Service Friedrich-Ebert-Allee Bonn T: +49 (0) E: I: Photos: GIZ Design: kippconcept, Bonn Printed by: Druckhaus Gummersbach May 2014