Good place to work in the field of international development, but uncertain long-term employment perspectives.
Gut am Arbeitgeber finde ich
Possibility to work on very interesting projects and initiatives, worldwide!
Schlecht am Arbeitgeber finde ich
Unfair employment contract conditions: not only fixed-term contracts, but also WITHOUT the right of early termination (so-called “Vertrag auf Zeit”). Thus, you depend on GIZ whether or not they allow early termination (this could be a problem if you have a better job offer outside GIZ!). In this respect NO equal treatment with staff members who have an open-ended contract (they have the regular right to terminate the employment with 3 months notice).
One of the worst HR departments I have ever experienced (the recruitment process takes ages, and only at the very end you discuss your salary and can review the employment contract).
Verbesserungsvorschläge
Unfair employment contract conditions: not only fixed-term contracts, but also WITHOUT the right of early termination (so-called “Vertrag auf Zeit”). This practice must be changed!
One of the worst HR departments I have ever experienced (the recruitment process takes ages, and only at the very end you discuss your salary and can review the employment contract, no information on tax treatment if you are based outside Germany). The HR processes must be improved if GIZ wants to increase recruitment of international staff.
Arbeitsatmosphäre
In general very good work atmosphere, people smile and have sufficient time to enjoy long lunch and coffee breaks. A lot of work, but no performance pressure whatsoever (as can be expected in a publicly owned enterprise). However, a high level of bureaucracy, a very distinct hierarchical structure and long decision-making processes (every hierarchy level wants to be involved!) are drawbacks. Large number of weak managers, who were promoted irrespective of the managerial skills. Nevertheless, everyone is praised, even for low-performance.
Kommunikation
Regular team meetings are common. A lot of information provided in the Intranet.
Kollegenzusammenhalt
In general a good cooperation and work spirit. However, one can often observe that more senior staff members (those who already have an open-ended contract) are often not very motivated, especially in the HQ.
Vorgesetztenverhalten
It is a lottery whether the direct supervisor has also good managerial, social and people-management skills. It’s common to agree on individual, annual career objectives. However, these are often very generic and sometimes senseless activities (e.g. organization of an internal knowledge-exchange workshop or a short paper, which no one will read anyway). One has to understand is that in GIZ, the direct supervisor has a low level of decision-making power. In terms of career advancement, the bosses of the direct supervisors are key (at the level of head of department or even higher). That’s why, from day one, you learn that it is key to be “visible” in the organization, otherwise you will never get an open-ended contract after 5 years (irrespective of your performance).
Interessante Aufgaben
Depends in which area you work. If you work in a challenging project, you could have a very interesting job. If you work in HQ it depends, as there is a tendency of the organization to focus only on itself.
Umgang mit älteren Kollegen
Very good, once someone gets an open-ended contract you will stay there until retirement (there are essentially no lay-offs).
Arbeitsbedingungen
Very good in the HQ. If you work in field offices conditions vary significantly. In the field, office spaces are often provided as in-kind contribution from the political partners (Ministries), with accordingly variable conditions.
Umwelt-/Sozialbewusstsein
Very low, in contrast to the external image of "sustainable development". Way too much international flights, often for very unproductive meetings/events in Germany.
Gehalt/Sozialleistungen
If you negotiate with the HR department your salary could be quite good. But not comparable to international institutions or development banks, because one has to pay German income tax.
Karriere/Weiterbildung
Every new employee at GIZ is offered only a fixed-term contract. Only after 5 years working for GIZ a certain percentage is offered an open-ended contract (de facto this depends on your internal “visibility” and your networks, not your performance). As such, you can’t really plan your career at GIZ, and you must be willing to relocate frequently to developing countries.