Capacity Building and Civil Society Advisor – Syrian Arab Republic 4 views

Assignment period: 01.05.2026 – 30.04.2027
Location: Damascus
Type of contract: National contract based on Syrian labour law
Type of employment: Fulltime

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 ten projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Federal Foreign Office, with co-financing from the European Union and other donors. From 2026, the portfolio is planned to be expanded by several new projects.

To support the transition, the “Strengthening the Capacities of the Syrian Civil Society” (BRIDGE) Project plays a vital role. BRIDGE aims to strengthen the role of Syrian civil society in the ongoing transition. The project supports a broad range of activities, from providing capacity building efforts, to empowering civil society to contribute meaningfully to the country’s future. A key focus of BRIDGE is on strengthening social cohesion, with particular emphasis on the inclusion of women and youth in the rebuilding process. By working closely with local communities and civil society representatives, BRIDGE seeks to facilitate cooperation between civil actors and public authorities, fostering a more inclusive and united approach to Syria’s recovery.

Your tasks

• Design and implement capacity building strategies and activities tailored to the unique needs and challenges of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Syria
• Develop and communicate clear and culturally sensitive communication plans towards CSOs
• Organise workshops, capacity building sessions, mentorship programmes, and networking events to empower and to capacitate local CSOs inside Syria and to enhance their professional growth
• Encourage collaboration among CSOs to create a supportive ecosystem that promotes opportunities for youth and women empowerment
• Engage with other actors in the fields of governance, strengthening civil society, and advocacy to facilitate knowledge exchange, promote complementarity, and ensure alignment with local and national priorities
• Monitor relevant policy and legislative developments related to civil society engagement
• Develop and follow up with service contracts related to the capacity building of CSOs
• Develop documentation, manuals, reports and guidelines related to the implementation of project activities
• Where appropriate and reasonable, perform additional tasks upon request of the management

Your profile (required qualifications, competencies and experience)

• University degree in social sciences or related field
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience (organisational capacity building, project management etc.) in a similar position with an international or national organisation or institution
• Thematic knowledge on the role of civil societies and experiences on youth and women empowerment
• Substantial knowledge of dynamics of civil society in Syria and Syrian diaspora
• Highly organised and detail-oriented, with strong ability to multi-task and deliver quality work under pressure and on time
• Ability to keep track of and reconcile multiple data sources with minimum error
• Highly collaborative, team player and experienced in working in multi-cultural organisations and in a fast-paced environment
• Reliable with confidential information and materials
• Ability to work in an international multicultural team with loyalty, reliability and tolerance
• High motivation and ability to work independently and meet deadlines without compromising the quality of outputs
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic, knowledge of German is an asset