Tobias Kühner (PhD)

Independent Consultant, Multilingual Expert & Freelance Advisor in the field of International Development Cooperation and Development Aid / ODA

Brasília, Federal District, Brazil

About

💼 Over 17 years of experience in sustainable and innovative bilateral and multilateral development cooperation (ODA), with a focus on tropical and subtropical regions. Expertise spans architecture, urban planning, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate adaptation, and social/public infrastructure development. Deep knowledge of urban and industrial design, renewable energy systems, energy efficiency measures, and infrastructure operation & management. 🌍 Extensive experience in international development projects, particularly with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ/KfW). Proven track record in project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Skilled in technical assessments, feasibility studies, due diligence, appraisal missions, and capacity building. Held advisory roles for government officials, companies, and international organizations. 🔑 Key skills and areas of expertise include: ➝ Sustainable Architecture & Urban Development ➝ Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Solutions ➝ Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation ➝ Infrastructure Planning & Implementation ➝ Technology/Resource/Grants Management & Evaluation ➝ Social Development Programs & International Cooperation

Experience

  • Team Leader, Technical Expert, Evaluator, Moderator, Lecturer, Capacity Development, Consultant at Self Employed
    Jul 2018 - Present · 8 yrs

    Freelance Consulting Services for International Development Cooperation Projects (ODA), inter alia: • Support the "Investing for Employment GmbH" (IFE) facility in eight African countries, by analyzing Due Diligence Reports (Second Opinion) and as Construction and Infrastructure Risk Expert (CIRE) • Promoting the sector-specific training resources on financing sustainable infrastructure projects in cities through executing workshops with C40, CFF, and pilot cities, and drafting energy module technical content • Elaboration of tender documents for the projects "Sector Coupling and Green Economy" and “DKTI - Brazilian-German Technology Partnership for Energy Storage” • Assisting the GIZ/C40 Cities Finance Facility (CFF) in executing the Technical- Financial Gap Assessment and Due Diligence Mission for rooftop & surface solar PV power plants in Salvador, Curitiba & Rio/Brazil • Executing the Evaluation and Learning Exercise (ELE) for the NAMA Support Project (NSP) of the Electrical Mobility Cape Verde, Refrigeration Colombia, Housing Mexico, and Renewable Energy Chile, responsible for the implementation of the evaluation framework • Supporting the GIZ Sector Project “Integrated implementation of the 2030 Agenda in cities and city regions” in the elaboration of a database solution for indicators and criteria for integrated urban project approaches • Backing the GIZ/SKEW in selected municipalities of German partner countries through a Capacity Development Needs Assessment for the global project “Experts for municipal partnerships worldwide” (FKPW) • Endorsing the GIZ/C40 Cities Finance Facility (CFF) executing Technical-Financial Gap Assessment for 50 grid-tied solar PV systems (each 100kWp) on rooftops of 50 schools in Quezon City/Philippines • Moderating the Regional Meeting (Central Asia & Middle East) of GIZ Development Worker Representatives in Kaji-Sai, Kyrgyzstan and leading the working group III: Dialog with management board (Hans-Joachim Preuß) and divisions

  • CEO at Kühner Consulting Ltda
    Apr 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 3 mos

    Main business focus: Consulting Service for International Development Cooperation

  • Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (Brasília, Federal District, Brazil)
    • Technical Expert for Sustainable Urban Development
      Jul 2017 - Jun 2018 · 1 yr

      Supporting the „Ministry of Cities“ (MCid.) and Ministry of Environment (MMA) with the National Agenda for Sustainable Urban Development (ANDUS). In detail responsible for: • Technical consulting services in relation to urban planning and development measures of the project; • Organization of interinstitutional dialog processes; • Monitoring, planning, and steering of project processes; • Knowledge management, public relations of the project, and organization of project events.

    • Innovation Expert for Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency
      Jul 2015 - Jun 2017 · 2 yrs

      Supporting the „Escola de Administração Fazendária“ (ESAF) to implement innovative energy efficiency measures. In detail responsible for: • PM&E of retrofitting activities at the education campus in Brasilia regarding energy efficiency & renewable energies EE/RE; • Conduct and guide local GIZ consultants (ESAF, the Ministry of Cities, and other ProFREE projects) in elaborating regional innovation strategies and feasibility studies; • NoPa-Focal Point in the sector “Sustainability & Innovations in Energy Efficiency of Buildings in Brazil; • Assist the steering committee: Urbanization in the German-Brazilian Dialogue on Science and Innovation 2016 - “Sustainable urban development”; • Organizing appraisal/fact-finding missions “EE in social housing”

  • Project Leader, Department of Industrial Planning and Construction at ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG
    Sep 2012 - Jun 2015 · 2 yrs 10 mos

    Strategic construction supervision, financial controlling, maintenance planning, and facility management of industrial factory buildings in Germany. Amongst others: • Planning and supervising the reconstruction of the production and storehouse building D4 in Prüm (4,9 Mio EUR); • Elaboration of the conceptual design study for the amplification of the logistics center D7 in Ludwigsburg (total construction cost ~50,0 Mio EUR, construction phase 2015-16); • Responsible for the resource-efficient and innovative ongoing operation and maintenance of the logistics center D7 (50.200qm) & D5 (21.300qm) in Ludwigsburg. Development of international STIHL distribution centers. Amongst others elaboration of layouts, financial controlling, construction site supervision abroad, and general coordination for: • The newly founded distribution center in Helsinki/Finland; • The newly founded distribution center in Krasnodar/Russia; • The existing production site in São Leopoldo/Brazil.

  • Project Manager, Department of Transportation and Construction at GITEC Consult
    Jul 2010 - Jul 2012 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    Acquisition, coordination, and backstopping of projects mainly financed by German Development Cooperation, predominantly in the fields of: • Energy-efficient reconstructions, sustainable urban planning, promotion of renewable energy systems, rural development and transportation schemes; • Composition of proposals, prequalification documents, report writing, and active project inputs abroad. On-site experience abroad: • Lao PDR (July 2010 – October 2010; August 2011 – September 2011; January 2012 – February 2012) Participation in the Project Preparation Study (PPS) for the Rural Infrastructure Program (RIP-5) in the Xekong Province. Feasibility Study (FS) on “Other Infrastructure” as part of the Implementation Measures Component (IMC) for the Rural Infrastructure Program (RIP-IV) in the Provinces of Sayaboury and Attapeu. Compilation of the Final Reports and Final Accounts for the Vocational Training Program, Phases I and II in the Provinces of Oudomxay, Phongsaly, Xiengkhouang (VTP I), and Houaphan, Luang Namtha, Xaiyabouri (VTP II). Participation in the Supplemental Project Preparation Study (SPPS) for the Rural Infrastructure Program (RIP-IV) in the Provinces of Sayaboury and Attapeu. • Mongolia (April 2011 – July 2011) Preparation of the Feasibility Study (FS) Phase 1 Report for the Thermo-Technical Rehabilitation (TTR) of Pre-Cast-Panel Buildings in Ulaanbaatar. • Mozambique (May 2012 – June 2012; March 2012 – April 2012; Nov. 2011 – Dec. 2011) Coordination of the local project team to streamline the finalization of the FINDER-Program (Fundo de Investimento para o Desenvolvimento Rural).