Advisor - Renewables and Power Grids Operations Specialist

GIZ provides services in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international educational work, dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world. We have more than 50 years of experience in various fields, including economic development and employment promotion, energy and the environment, as well as peace and security. GIZ promotes complex reforms and change processes. For more information, visit: www.giz.de and www.germancooperation.rs.

If you would like to join our project teams „Green Agenda“ and „Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Serbia“ as an

„ADVISOR: Renewables & Power Grids Operations Specialist“

and you have the necessary qualification and knowledge, please submit your CV and motivation letter in English.

The regional project "Green Agenda: Decarbonizing the Electricity Sector in the Western Balkans" is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (GIZ) GmbH in between 11/2022 and 10/2025. For component 1 “Technological Solutions for handling large shares of variable Renewable Energy (vRE)”, the projects hires a “Renewables & Power Grid Advisor” responsible for Serbia. The Advisor will further support the project “Promotion of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Serbia”, a bilateral project funded by BMZ and implemented by GIZ.

This regional project focuses on building competencies and providing up-to-date knowledge on innovative technological solutions for the electricity sector in the WB. Technological progress is amplified by enhancing the regulatory framework for an increased use of RE.

The role of the Advisor is to closely cooperate with Distribution System Operators (DSOs), Regulators and Energy Utilities from Serbia, with additional focus on Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Advisor will be embedded in a multi-professional team based in the Western Balkans region, coordinating project activities in 3 different outputs (technology, regulation, personnel). Frequent exchanges and travel in the WB region will be part of the assignment. Professional growth in applying cutting-edge technologies such as data-driven flexibility services in grid management will be offered, all in a multi-country context.

The key task of the advisor is to manage relevant working groups in developing solutions how to integrate efficiently renewables installations into power grids. The advisor will directly cooperate with power sector representatives and local/international consultants and specialized engineering groups to work-out final products, such as grid capacity studies, automatized grid connections procedures or prosumer management tools.

Core tasks:

• Analyzing trends in energy markets, in particular power sector and renewables technologies Serbia, with further connections to Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Provide assessments, data-based analytics and recommendations to partners, beneficiaries and GIZ project management on the topic of enhanced integration of RE-based generated electricity into distribution/transmission grids
• Provide ad-hoc technological consultancy to main project stakeholders, incl. technical assessments of new RE technology, feasibility of technological change, commercial aspects, availability on the regional markets and compatibility with conditions in Serbia and the Western Balkans region
• Advising beneficiaries, partners and GIZ project management on technology-based solutions (technical manuals, SOPs, software, cloud computing, hardware (low/medium/high voltage equipment such as IT/data-based solutions, compatibility) on improving gear and grid operations to connect, couple and increase feed-in of RE-generated electricity
• Responsible for the technical, substantive and organizational implementation - including the management of consultancies and external experts
• Organize all forms of exchange and dialogue formats, including on-site consultancies, workshops or conferences
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Main activities:

All tasks listed are carried out in close cooperation with the project management of the regional project „Green Agenda: Decarbonization of the Elecirity Sector of the Western Balkans“ and the bilateral project „Promotion of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency“.

• Technical analyses and advisory regarding hardware/software solutions for grid integration of RE into the power grids
• Monitoring of energy markets and political discourses about energy policies or relevant intl. developments
• Ensuring knowledge management and involvement in ongoing process development within assigned remit
• Perform planning, steering, implementation, including project administration tasks in some cases
• Contribute to the documenting, reporting and communicating of the results of the project activities
• Maintaining good communication and a good flow of information between all National Coordinators, project partners and beneficiaries
• Perform other tasks assigned by the line manager

Qualification and specialist knowledge:

• University degree in Electrical Engineering or adjacent disciplines of engineering, physics, IT, mathematics or similar
• At least 3 years of general working experience in the energy sector or energy-related research & development
• At least 3 years of specific working experience in RE technologies and/or power grids
• Experience in cooperation with regulators, grid operators and energy companies in Serbia
• Experience in working in a regional environment (countries of the Western Balkans) and with intl. organizations

Competencies and skills:

• Very good command of spoken and written Serbian
• Very good knowledge of spoken and written English
• Effective communication skills
• Proactiveness and constructive thinking
• Excellent management and organizational skills
• Very good working knowledge in dealing with IT and use of MS Windows and MS Office program packages (especially Word, Excel and Power Point)
• Good working knowledge in tech-software for i.e. design and planning of power grids, power grid automation and other relevant applications 

What we offer:

• Opportunities for professional development and exposure to cutting-edge technologies
• Expanding your professional network with direct contact to important actors in the energy sector and cooperation with intl. consultants dealing with renewables technologies and smart power grids
• Competitive remuneration package, including a 13^th salary, showcasing our commitment to rewarding your expertise and dedication

GIZ is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for everyone regardless of gender, age, skin color, origin, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or physical disability. We hire based on specialist expertise and social skills.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.