Job Summary
- Type: full-time
- Location: Gaborone
- Category: Infrastructure Development
- Closing Date: 2026-09-05
Key Responsibilities
- Support the establishment of a Corridor Management Institution (CMI) for the North-South Corridor
- Setting up and coordination of the North-South Corridor Technical Working Group
- Development of a Transformation & Investment Plan (from North-South Corridor to North-South Economic Corridor based on prioritized regional value chains and catalytic projects)
- Provision of advanced advisory services via experts from AUDA-NEPAD’s Service Delivery Mechanism (SDM) to priority infrastructure projects in the Corridor (early-stage project preparation)
- Mobilisation of additional resources from other relevant project preparation facilities
- Promotion of private sector participation in the planning, financing and implementation of infrastructure projects along the North-South Corridor
- Co-organisation of study visits for key corridor stakeholders to well-established economic development corridors and other benchmarking and peer-learning activities
- Design and delivery of capacity enhancement activities for relevant corridor actors based on a participatory capacity needs assessment, including on gender-responsive infrastructure development
- Preparation of, and participation in, appraisal and implementation missions including the identification of relevant partners and potential projects to support
- Independent exchanges and collaboration with francophone stakeholders
Requirements
- Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in Economics, Business Administration, Infrastructure, Engineering, Spatial Planning, Transport, Environmental & Social Sciences or fields related to the position’s profile
- Qualification should be enhanced by at least 10 years’ relevant working experience and understanding of the following: Infrastructure development, at continental, regional and national levels in Africa covering corridor-relevant sectors including transport, energy, and ICT; Collaborating with regional and international networks of public and private sector actors in the field of infrastructure development and infrastructure finance on the African continent; Value chain development and industrialization; Advisory to actors in the infrastructure sector at various hierarchical levels, preferably AU and continental or regional institutions; Collaboration with RECs, Corridor Management Institutions (CMIs), and/or similar intergovernmental bodies
Salary
Not specified
How to Apply
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications and certifications are typically required for the Regional Advisor for Africa role in Botswana?
A master’s degree in infrastructure development, public policy, international development, or a closely related field is commonly expected. Professional certifications such as PRINCE2, PMP, or those from the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) are valued, especially if aligned with AU or donor-funded project standards. Relevant experience working with African Union frameworks or regional infrastructure initiatives (e.g., PIDA) is often prioritised over generic credentials.
What does a typical day look like for this role when based in or operating across Botswana?
Day-to-day responsibilities include coordinating technical inputs for regional infrastructure projects, facilitating stakeholder workshops with AU member states and national agencies (e.g., Botswana’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development), and supporting capacity-building for local institutions. Field visits to infrastructure sites—such as cross-border transport corridors involving Botswana—are common, requiring adaptability to logistical constraints and multi-stakeholder reporting timelines.
How does Botswana’s work culture influence expectations for this advisory role?
Respect for hierarchy, punctuality in official engagements, and consensus-oriented communication are key cultural expectations in Botswana’s public and development sectors. Advisors are expected to engage respectfully with traditional and governmental authorities—including Kgotla consultations where relevant—and demonstrate cultural fluency in both Setswana and English contexts. Relationship-building through formal and informal dialogue is often as critical as technical output.
What realistic career progression paths exist after holding this role in Botswana or the broader AU context?
Successful advisors often transition into senior technical leadership roles within AU departments (e.g., Infrastructure, Energy & Tourism), regional economic communities (SADC, EAC), or multilateral agencies like AfDB or UNECA. In Botswana, some move into strategic positions at national infrastructure agencies (e.g., Botswana Innovation Hub or National Development Bank) or take on advisory contracts with government-led infrastructure programmes. Continued engagement with AU policy cycles and regional integration agendas strengthens long-term credibility.
What benefits—such as leave, medical aid, and pension—are typically offered to international advisors working on AU-related projects in Botswana?
Contract-based advisors usually receive statutory leave (minimum 21 days annual leave per Botswana Employment Act), comprehensive medical aid covering private facilities in Gaborone and referral networks regionally, and participation in an international pension scheme (e.g., UNJSPF) or employer-sponsored retirement plan. Benefits are generally aligned with donor or intergovernmental organisation standards—not local Botswana private-sector norms—and depend on contract type (e.g., fixed-term consultancy vs. secondment).
How should a Botswana-based applicant apply, and what do employers specifically look for in candidates?
Applications must be submitted via official portals (e.g., GIZ careers site or AU recruitment platform), with emphasis on demonstrable experience in African regional infrastructure programming—not just national projects. Employers prioritise candidates who show evidence of navigating AU decision-making processes, fluency in AU working languages (English/French), and proven success in stakeholder alignment across multiple African countries—including familiarity with Botswana’s infrastructure priorities like the North-South Corridor. Local references from Botswana-based development partners carry significant weight.