Assignment period: 01.07.2026 - 30.06.2027
Location: Damascus
Type of contract: National contract based on Syrian labour law
Type of employment: Fulltime

**Job description**

GIZ has been operating in Syria since 1976. It has thus established valuable contacts in civil society and garnered experience that is now crucial for supporting the country. From 2013 onwards, it worked without government involvement with the assistance of local non-governmental organisations. Despite the difficult conditions, GIZ has consistently contributed to improving people’s living conditions.

In view of the developments since December 2024, which have led Syria into a decisive phase of transformation, GIZ plans to reopen its Country Office in Damascus in 2026. It is currently implementing projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Federal Foreign Office (FFO), with co-financing from the European Union and other donors. From 2026, the portfolio is planned to be expanded by several new projects.

The “Syria TVET and Employment Promotion Project” (STEP) aims to strengthen the employment prospects of Syrians in close cooperation with the private sector. This includes policy advice on the realignment of vocational training and employment strategies at national level, technical and organizational advice for vocational schools and training centers and cooperating companies. Furthermore, the STEP project focuses on the development of inclusive and efficient labor market services based on partnerships with local and foreign companies for rapid labour market integration.

**Your tasks**

- Advising the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, Ministry of Industry and Economy and other relevant public institutions in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and employment
- Providing guidance on interlinkages in the Syrian TVET and labour market system and on reforms aiming at inclusive and sustainable employment promotion
- Identifying meaningful entry points and interventions on TVET and employment promotion in line with the STEP project and its expected results
- Advising on mechanisms to link up vocational schools with the private sector
- Overlooking project partnerships and being able to communicate them to partners and donors
- Representing the project in thematically relevant meetings with implementing partners
- Bringing in expertise on good practices related to labour market-oriented TVET and employment promotion
- Where appropriate and reasonable, performing additional tasks upon request of the management

**Your profile (required qualifications, competencies and experience)**

- University degree (Master’s level) in economics, social studies, educational management, or a related field
- At least 8 years of relevant work experience in the sector of TVET and employment promotion
- Strong knowledge of the Syrian TVET system, its governance and stakeholders
- Strong knowledge of labour market integration measures
- At least 5 years of work experience with Syrian public institutions
- Strong analytical and facilitation skills
- High cultural, context and conflict sensitivity
- Awareness for the topic of discrimination and marginalisation
- Hands-on mentality
- Professional fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic, knowledge of German is an asset