GIZ is offering a six-month, full-time internship in Brussels, Belgium, supporting the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) initiative. The internship runs from 1 December 2026 to 31 May 2027, pays a monthly stipend of €1,350 gross, and is open to current students and graduates of the last six months who hold a Belgian work permit. Applications close on 05 November 2026.
At Youth Works Hub, we read the full vacancy and listed every task, requirement and condition below, so you can check your fit before you apply. You can also read how we verify every opportunity on our site.
Internship Key Facts
🏢 Organisation: GIZ, working for the German Federal Government
🏘️ Initiative: Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA)
🧭 Role: Intern (m/f/d) Project Coordination, Monitoring and Urban Climate Action
📍 Location: Brussels (Bruxelles), Belgium
🗓️ Assignment period: 01.12.2026 - 31.05.2027
⏱️ Working hours: Full-time
🗂️ Job category: Trainees
🆔 Job-ID: V000065409
💶 Stipend: €1,350 gross per month
🛂 Work permit: Belgian work permit required
⏳ Application deadline: 05 November 2026
A Federal Government Company With a Global Reach
GIZ describes its model for success as a better life for everyone and purposeful tasks for its employees. For more than 50 years, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), a company of the German Federal Government, has supported the implementation of development policy goals worldwide.
Together with partner organisations in 120 countries, GIZ is involved in a diverse range of projects. The vacancy invites people who want to make a difference in the world and develop themselves in the process.
What the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa Does
The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) initiative supports cities in three areas: developing and implementing climate and energy actions, strengthening urban resilience, and facilitating access to climate finance.
This internship sits inside that work, giving you a direct view of how a development programme helps cities respond to climate change.
Supporting the GIZ CoM SSA Team From Brussels
The intern supports the GIZ CoM SSA team, with a particular focus on country operations management and the coordination of activities across partner countries. In the GIZ CoM SSA case, those countries are Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria.
The internship contributes to operational planning, portfolio monitoring, reporting, knowledge management, and the preparation and follow-up of project activities.
Practical Exposure to a Multi-Country Urban Climate Programme
The internship offers practical exposure to the management of a multi-country urban climate programme. You also see how cities, development partners, consultants and international organisations cooperate.
You get the opportunity to work on different stages of urban climate projects, from planning and technical studies to project preparation and access to finance.
Who This Internship Suits
The position is particularly suited to a candidate interested in gaining experience at the intersection of urban climate action, project management and international cooperation.
Your Team: The Advisor for Country Operations Management
The intern works primarily with the Advisor for Country Operations Management. You also interact regularly with country teams and with colleagues responsible for technical, financial and knowledge-management functions.
Monitoring the Portfolio and Operational Plan
📊 You support the monitoring and regular updating of the project portfolio, the Operational Plan, implementation timelines and related management tools.
Consolidating Information From Country Teams
🧩 You assist in consolidating information from GIZ country teams on project progress, milestones, challenges, risks and planned activities.
Preparing Internal and External Reporting
📝 You support the preparation of internal and external reporting. That includes the collection, verification and organisation of information related to project indicators and results.
Meetings, Reviews, Workshops and Planning
🤝 You assist with the preparation, documentation and follow-up of coordination meetings, Operational Plan reviews, workshops and team planning processes.
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Background Research, Briefings and Short Analyses
🔎 You conduct background research and prepare short analyses, briefings and summaries on urban climate action, project development, climate finance and related topics.
Following Up Assignments With External Consultants
💼 You support the coordination and follow-up of assignments involving external consultants, including documentation, deliverables and activity tracking.
Contributing to Knowledge Management
📚 You contribute to knowledge management by organising project information, lessons learned, good practices and relevant documentation.
Additional Operational and Organisational Support
🛠️ You provide additional operational and organisational support to the Country Operations Management function and the wider project team as required.
Academic Background GIZ Looks For
🎓 You are currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Master's programme in urban planning, sustainable development, environmental studies, international development, public policy, international relations, economics or a related field.
Interest in Urban Development and Climate
🌆 You have a strong interest in urban development, climate change, sustainable infrastructure and/or international cooperation.
Analytical and Organisational Skills
🧠 You have very good analytical and organisational skills, with the ability to structure and synthesise information from different sources.
Writing and Presentation Skills
✍️ You have strong written communication skills and the ability to prepare clear summaries, presentations and working documents.
Language Requirements: English and French
🗣️ You have a very good command of English.
🇫🇷 A good command of French would be a strong advantage.
Microsoft Office and Data Tools
💻 You have good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
📈 Experience with data management or visualisation tools is an advantage.
Working Independently and Following Up
🎯 You can work independently, manage several tasks simultaneously and follow up proactively on agreed actions and deadlines.
A Collaborative, Intercultural Working Style
🌐 You have a collaborative and intercultural working style, with attention to detail and willingness to work with colleagues across different countries and professional backgrounds.
Who Is Allowed to Apply: Students and Graduates of the Last Six Months
You are only allowed to apply for this internship if you are currently enrolled as a student, or if you graduated not longer than six months before the start of your internship. With a start on 1 December 2026, that is the key date to check against your graduation.
Belgian Work Permit: Required and Not Provided by GIZ
Candidates must hold a Belgian work permit. If you are a non-EU national, the permit must be uploaded when you apply.
GIZ will neither cover costs nor apply for work permits for internships, so you need to have the permit in place yourself before applying.
Monthly Stipend and Contract Under Belgian Law
GIZ pays a monthly stipend of €1,350 gross. The contract will be concluded under Belgian law.
If you are comparing offers, our guide to paid internships abroad for students explains the difference between an employer-paid stipend and a grant.
Six Months, Full-Time, in Brussels
The assignment period is 01.12.2026 to 31.05.2027, with full-time working hours. The place of work is Brussels (Bruxelles), and the vacancy is listed under the Trainees job category.
Applications From Persons With Disabilities Are Welcome
GIZ would like to increase the proportion of employees with disability, both in Germany and abroad. Applications from persons with disabilities are most welcome.
How to Apply
Apply online through the GIZ job portal using the application link below. If you are a non-EU national, upload your Belgian work permit with your application.
Questions About the Internship
For further information, you can contact Ms. Luciana Tuszel at luciana.tuszel@giz.de. This address is for questions about the internship; the application itself goes through the online portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the GIZ CoM SSA intern do?
The intern supports the GIZ CoM SSA team with country operations management and coordination across Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria. Tasks include portfolio and Operational Plan monitoring, reporting, research, consultant follow-up and knowledge management.
How much does the internship pay?
GIZ pays a monthly stipend of €1,350 gross. The contract is concluded under Belgian law.
Who can apply for this internship?
You can apply only if you are currently enrolled as a student or graduated not longer than six months before the start of the internship. The vacancy asks for a Master's programme in a field such as urban planning, sustainable development, international development or public policy.
Do I need a Belgian work permit?
Yes. Candidates must hold a Belgian work permit, and non-EU nationals must upload it when applying. GIZ will neither cover costs nor apply for work permits for internships.
Which languages do I need?
You need a very good command of English. A good command of French is a strong advantage.
Where and when does the internship take place?
The internship is full-time in Brussels, Belgium, from 01.12.2026 to 31.05.2027.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 05 November 2026. You can browse more roles like this one in the internships section of Youth Works Hub.
Deadline
⏳ 05 November 2026
Link
🔗 Full vacancy and online application (GIZ job portal, Job-ID V000065409): https://jobs.giz.de/index.php?ac=jobad&id=79487&utm_source=eurobrussels&utm_medium=job_board&utm_campaign=apply_now_job_link&language=2
📧 Contact for questions about the internship (Ms. Luciana Tuszel): luciana.tuszel@giz.de
