Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is a public-benefit federal enterprise working in more than 100 countries worldwide. We work on behalf of the German Government and support public and private sector clients in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment, energy and environment, and peace and security. Our activities cover three priority areas: Energy and Climate, which deals with renewable energy and energy efficiency; Training and Sustainable Growth for decent Jobs, and Peaceful and Inclusive Societies, which focuses on good governance.

Project Brief:

The EU co-funded SKBoWa project, aimed at enhancing human security conditions in border regions spanning Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ghana, operates in Upper West and Savannah Regions. Focused on local governance, social cohesion, and economic development, it fosters collaboration among districts bordering Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire. Aligned with regional EU actions and German-coordinated projects, it leverages partnerships with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), and Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development (MLGDRD), the Ghana Boundary Commission and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). The project strengthens institutional capacities, improves local actors' abilities for security and social cohesion, and enhances economic opportunities for vulnerable groups.

Scope of Role:

The Local Governance Advisor supports local governments in border regions to strengthen district-level planning, budgeting, and service delivery through participatory and inclusive approaches, including Community Action Planning. The role also promotes collaboration with neighboring authorities, provides technical guidance on multisectoral planning processes, and contributes to project planning, reporting, and documentation of key achievements and lessons learned.

Tasks:

• Design and advise on implementation of technical activities that strengthen local governments’ capacity to plan, budget and deliver services at the district and local levels of border regions.
• Support local public servants in promoting engagement and joint planning with neighboring local authorities in and outside Ghana.
• Provide technical expertise and leadership to promote participatory and inclusive planning approaches, integrating multisectoral strategies into district-level planning and budgeting processes, including Community Action Planning.
• Facilitate interaction, collaboration and collective action between local governance and decentralization stakeholders in a cross-border context.
• Identification of strategic approaches to multi-stakeholder dialogue, government/civil society engagement, and local government responsiveness to citizen needs.
• Engage in annual work planning and contribute to quality operational plans, budgets, and reports.
• Document project implementation achievements, challenges, and lessons learned and share them through regular program reports.

Qualification Required & Experience

• Master’s degree in Development Studies, Public Administration, Development Planning, Governance, and any related field.
• At least Six (6) years of professional experience in Local Governance and Decentralization sector in Ghana.
• In-depth understanding of local government and its challenges, especially at the sub-national level.
• Sensitivity to cultural and political dynamics, with the ability to exercise discretion, judgement and confidentiality when dealing with
politicians and officers at every level and to demonstrate political neutrality.
• A keen awareness of diplomatic issues and the ability to handle them appropriately and professionally.
• Experience in managing a complex workload, preparing plans and meeting deadlines and milestones.
• Ability to promote networking and collaboration among different entities, stakeholders and their leaderships.
• Experience with Cross-Border Dynamics in the Local Governance context or working experience in Districts sharing an international border.
• Knowledge of the region and local languages of the Upper West and Savannah Regions

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Interested and suitable applicants are to forward their detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a one-page cover letter to:

recruitment-ghana@giz.de under the Job Code SKBOWA/14/05 -Your Name. If you do not hear from us four (4) weeks after the deadline, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Closing Date: 28 May, 2026

GIZ is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. All qualified candidates regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, race, and religion are encouraged to apply.