EZ Trainee, Financial Systems Development

About this role

GIZ, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is recruiting trainees for its development cooperation trainee programme, with the first placement in Arusha, Tanzania. The 17-month programme comprises a one-month preparatory phase, an eight-month assignment to the GIZ project "Supporting Market- and People-Oriented Integration in the East African Community" in Arusha, a three-month placement with an international organisation, and a five-month placement at BMZ. During the Arusha phase, the trainee will focus on digital payment systems and cross-border payment infrastructure in the East African Community. Responsibilities include analysing and preparing technical materials on digital payments, supporting implementation of the EAC Cross-Border Payment Systems Master Plan, researching interoperability, efficiency, security and costs of cross-border payments, organising workshops and expert dialogues with central banks, public institutions, the private sector and regional actors, contributing to the design of project approaches in digital financial infrastructure, and preparing analyses, briefings and presentations on digital payments, digital public infrastructure and digital trade.

Candidates need a Master's degree or equivalent in economics, finance or a comparable field, with academic focus on digital transformation, the international financial sector or development economics. Required knowledge covers digital payment systems, payment infrastructure and digital public infrastructure; knowledge of cross-border payment systems and regional economic integration is an advantage. Fluency in German and English is essential, and French is an advantage. Knowledge of development cooperation, practical experience in a developing country, willingness to relocate several times, openness to different organisations and intercultural competence are also expected; internships suffice.

The programme is run by GIZ on behalf of BMZ and prepares graduates for careers in German and multilateral development cooperation institutions. The trainee receives a monthly gross salary of 2,600 euros, and the position is full time. Applications, including cover letter and CV in German, must be submitted through the GIZ e-recruiting system by 30 September 2026.