Social Cohesion Advisor

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 “Strengthening Socioeconomic Resilience” in Syria (SERNOS) project aims at improving the socioeconomic conditions for vulnerable groups, such as internally displaced persons, returnees, host communities, women and youth. The project implements the approach of Transitional Development Assistance (TDA), supporting a structure-building environment for local economic growth and development. This is done by strengthening organisational and business capacities of collective economic structures, as well as supporting actors to shape peaceful participation and decision-making processes. The project implements in partnership with civil society and non-governmental organisations in several governorates in Syria.

Within SERNOS, the Social Cohesion Advisor is responsible for the project’s activities that strengthen peaceful participation and decision-making in selected communities: community dialogue processes, jointly planned and implemented community initiatives, and cooperation between community members and local administrative structures.

Your tasks

• Developing and steering project activities on social cohesion, such as community dialogue formats, participatory planning of community initiatives, and dialogue between citizens and local administrative structures, and advising partner organisations on their implementation
• Advising partners on participatory, conflict-sensitive and inclusive approaches, facilitation methods, as well as capacity development for multipliers such as committee members, community members, partner staff and representatives of local administrative structures
• Steering the development of partner proposals, operational and budget plans according to GIZ standards for concluding financing arrangements, and accompanying partners throughout implementation
• Monitoring and reporting on the implementation of partner activities and contributing to project reporting
• Facilitating exchange and peer learning among partner organisations and community structures, and coordinating with other GIZ projects and actors working on social cohesion in the project locations
• Acting as the project’s communications focal point: collecting success stories and results from partners and communities, and drafting communication material such as stories, factsheets and contributions to reports and social media in line with GIZ communication standards
• Ensuring conflict sensitivity, gender equality and the inclusion of persons with disabilities across the activities in the area of responsibility
• Supporting the management in the strategic and technical development of the SERNOS project
• Where appropriate and reasonable, performing additional tasks upon request of the management

Your profile (required qualifications, competencies and experience)

• University degree in social sciences, peace and conflict studies, development studies or in a relevant field
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in a comparable position working on social cohesion, community dialogue, peacebuilding or community-based development
• Demonstrated experience with participatory approaches and conflict-sensitive programming, including the facilitation of dialogue processes with diverse community groups
• Experience in project communication, such as documenting results and success stories and preparing communication material for different audiences
• Professional experience in working and cooperating with international implementing organisations
• Experience in implementing project activities in the framework of financing arrangements with national and international organisations
• Political sensitivity and analytical thinking, consulting, communication and cooperation skills as well as intercultural competence
• Willingness to travel regularly to project locations across Syria
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic, knowledge of Kurdish or German is an asset

How to apply

Additional information

The following minimum requirements for applications need to be fulfilled:

1. Only application documents in English will be accepted. Documents in Arabic cannot be considered during the selection process.
2. Mandatory documents are CV and application letter in English stating your qualifications and previous professional experiences.

The deadline for application is 14.10.2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

GIZ is committed to diversity and gender balance. It is encouraging persons with disabilities to apply for the position.

Please note that this is a national position subject to GIZ Syria’s national terms and conditions of employment.

Please submit your application to hr.syria@giz.de indicating in the subject line only the respective title of the position.