I began as a financial manager, and for the last year I’ve been head of the administration and finance team. In Rwanda, we provide support for a regional programme with activities focusing on peace and security in 12 countries. We are primarily concerned with raw materials. My job is to help with the acquisition of third-party funding and to check the projects’ expenditures and costs.

I’m what you might call a ‘home-grown’ GIZ person. Twelve years ago I completed a dual study programme in international business at GIZ, and stayed with the company because I very much liked GIZ as an employer. I especially like having close ties to the projects on-site. After starting out in finance in Eschborn, I spent five years as a financial management advisor and was often in West Africa. It made me want to spend a longer period abroad, and so I applied for a job in Rwanda. 

My work is very exciting. It’s challenging to manage such a comprehensive regional programme because it’s so complex. It’s particularly important to be able to take an overarching perspective. For example, one of our partner organisations has developed a mechanism for certifying raw materials to curb the illegal cross-border trade.

In Rwanda, I have a lot of scope to make decisions in my work. At the same time I’m glad that I spent time in Germany because that has helped me to understand the processes that go on in the background. I can share this experience with my colleagues in Kigali.

I also appreciate the fact that my partner was able to move to East Africa with me. He also works for GIZ, and we made a conscious decision to come to Rwanda because the stable security situation here allows us to move around freely. I also enjoy pursuing my hobbies and can relax best when I’m giving horse-riding lessons or when I go hiking.

All the best,

Julia Gabriel

January 2024