Key expert 1 – Multiple countries

Aninver Development Partners SL (www.aninver.com) is looking for a Key expert 1 for a humanitarian, governance consultancy assignment financed by GIZ in Multiple countries.

Aninver Development Partners is seeking an expert for an upcoming humanitarian and governance consultancy assignment financed by GIZ in multiple countries. The initiative focuses on strategic advisory services and technical backstopping for a complex multi-sectoral project supporting vulnerable populations in war-affected regions through localized action, HDP nexus implementation, and capacity strengthening of local NGOs.

The successful candidate will serve as Key Expert 1, driving strategic engagement and partnership development between GIZ and institutional donors. The expert will provide high-level technical guidance on strategic priorities, compliance frameworks, and localization agendas, supporting senior management in navigating the humanitarian space and fostering institutional collaboration across operations in fragile contexts.

Aninver is preparing a proposal for this assignment. The selected expert will be part of the proposed team; the engagement is conditional on the contract being awarded to Aninver. The full Terms of Reference for the position are shared with shortlisted candidates.

Objectives of the assignment

• Provide strategic advisory services and technical backstopping on humanitarian programming for the project.
• Facilitate stronger engagement and alignment between GIZ and DG ECHO priorities, expectations, and partnership opportunities.
• Provide technical guidance on donor strategic priorities, particularly regarding localization and eligibility requirements.
• Support senior management in navigating the humanitarian space and ensuring coherence between different institutional approaches.
• Reflect on lessons learned to offer recommendations for strengthening institutional collaboration and programmatic positioning.

Scope of work

• Deliver strategic advice and technical backstopping to project management aligned with the localization agenda of the Grand Bargain, the HDP nexus, and humanitarian principles.
• Provide monthly briefings on institutional positioning regarding localization, nexus programming, funding policy shifts, and donor engagement priorities.
• Support the organization in positioning itself as a strategic partner by ensuring full alignment with donor eligibility and compliance frameworks.
• Facilitate strategic engagement and partnership building between local initiatives and donor representatives at country, regional, and headquarters levels.
• Identify opportunities to multiply the localization model across different regions and programming contexts by leveraging accumulated lessons learned.

Your role as Key expert 1

• Lead the delivery of high-level strategic advisory and technical backstopping tasks as Key Expert 1 over the assignment duration.
• Prepare and deliver regular briefings on donor institutional positioning, policy shifts, and strategic engagement priorities.
• Guide the project team and local implementing partners on donor eligibility, compliance frameworks, and localization strategies.
• Facilitate high-level dialogue and coordination meetings between the project management and key institutional stakeholders.
• Contribute to the identification of business development opportunities and the replication of successful localization models.
• Formulate actionable recommendations based on lessons learned to enhance institutional collaboration and strategic positioning.

Requirements

• Education: University degree (German 'Diplom' / Master) in Political Science, Sociology, Economics or Development Politics
• 15 years of professional experience in humanitarian strategic programming, strategic donor engagement and partnership development, including 10 years in strategic nexus programming of DG ECHO, 5 years in complex projects with DG ECHO funding in fragile contexts, 5 years in localization, 5 years in Eastern Europe (at least 1 year in Ukraine post-2022 invasion), and 10 years at DG ECHO
• Languages: C1-level proficiency in English

Desirable

• Prior working relationships with major international humanitarian donors and development agencies in Europe.
• Demonstrated track record in publishing or advising on institutional humanitarian policies and nexus strategies.

An experienced humanitarian strategist with extensive leadership inside DG ECHO, deep expertise in the Eastern European context, and a proven ability to bridge institutional frameworks with localized humanitarian action.

Assignment details

• Location: Multiple countries
• Financed by: GIZ
• Sector: Humanitarian, governance
• Estimated duration: 25 months
• Expected input: 85 person-days
• Contract: individual consultancy (conditional on award)

About Aninver Development Partners

Aninver is an international development consulting firm headquartered in Spain. It supports governments, development banks, UN agencies and bilateral donors with feasibility studies, technical assistance, evaluations and capacity building across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Asia-Pacific, working with a network of international and national experts.

Why apply

• Join a multidisciplinary team on a GIZ-financed project in Multiple countries.
• Individual consultancy: flexible, output-based engagement with an experienced proposal team.
• Your CV stays in Aninver's expert network for future assignments that match your profile.

How to apply

Sign in (or create a free account) and upload your CV in English. Add your LinkedIn profile, indicative daily rate and availability to speed up the assessment. Aninver will contact the shortlisted candidates.

Frequently asked questions

Is the position confirmed? The engagement depends on the contract being awarded to Aninver. Shortlisted experts are included in the proposal with their consent.

Can I apply if I am not based in the country? Yes, unless the requirements say otherwise; relevant regional experience is an asset.

What happens with my CV? It is used to assess your fit for this and future positions and is not shared with third parties without your consent.