Assignment period: 01.08.2026 - 31.07.2027
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 Return and Reintegration project aims to support national and local actors in Syria in ensuring that return and reintegration processes are coordinated, inclusive, and responsive to identified needs, thereby contributing to socio-economic development and increased social cohesion. Adopting a multi-level approach, the project seeks to facilitate the sustainable integration of returnees, internally displaced persons, and host communities through improved access to basic services, enhanced economic reintegration opportunities, and the promotion of social cohesion. In parallel, the project aims to strengthen the capacities of national and local stakeholders in the planning, coordination, and management of return and reintegration activities.

**Your tasks**

- Assuming overall responsibility for the successful implementation of the project in close coordination with the BMZ and relevant Syrian partners at national and subnational level
- Overseeing the technical, financial, and administrative management of the project, including responsibility for budget control, financial planning, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation in line with GIZ and donor requirements
- Steering the implementation of activities across the governance, service delivery and private sector development components
- Leading national and international project staff in accordance with GIZ’s leadership principles, ensuring a respectful, inclusive and performance-oriented work culture
- Ensuring effective coordination and cooperation with Syrian governmental institutions, including governorates, municipalities, as well as with non-state actors and civil society organisations
- Fostering strong coordination with humanitarian and development actors, including UN agencies and the Solutions Working Group, to ensure complementarity and support the transition from humanitarian assistance to sustainable development approaches
- Ensuring that all project activities are implemented in a conflict-sensitive manner and systematically incorporate gender equality, inclusion – particularly of women, youth, and persons with disabilities – as well as social cohesion considerations
- Overseeing the development and implementation of results-based monitoring systems, including the tracking of progress against indicators, and ensuring timely, high-quality reporting to commissioning parties and partners
- Representing GIZ vis-à-vis governmental counterparts, donors, international organisations, and other stakeholders involved in return, reintegration and stabilisation efforts

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

- University degree in law, public administration, political sciences, development studies, economics, or another field relevant to governance, economic development, or social policy
- At least 10 years of professional experience in international development cooperation, focusing on programmes related to return, reintegration, stabilisation, livelihoods, or governance in fragile or conflict-affected settings
- At least 5 years of leadership and management experience, including responsibility for technical, financial, and administrative implementation, budget control, financial planning, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation
- Experience in designing and implementing programmes supporting returnees, internally displaced persons, and host communities, including approaches to social cohesion and conflict-sensitive programming
- Demonstrated expertise in working with public institutions at national and subnational levels, particularly in areas such as local governance, service delivery, and institutional capacity development
- Strong experience in socio-economic development, including private sector promotion, support for micro, small, and medium enterprises, labour market interventions, and livelihood creation in crisis or post-conflict contexts
- Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage multidisciplinary teams, foster collaboration, demonstrate gender competence, and engage effectively with political partners, civil society, and international stakeholders
- High level of strategic thinking, analytical capacity, resilience, and adaptability in complex environments
- Extensive professional network in Syria spanning governmental institutions, the private sector, and civil society actors
- Professional fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic, knowledge of German is an asset