Recruitment of a Coordinator for the National Erasmus+ Office (NEO), Damascus, Syria

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Syria Arab Republic, the EU Delegation in the Syria Arab Republic and the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) are launching a procedure to recruit a new coordinator for the NEO in the Syria Arab Republic.

Background

Erasmus+ is the European Union's programme to support education, training, youth and sport.

The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, green and digital transitions, and promoting young people's participation in democratic life. It supports priorities and activities set out in the European Education Area, Digital Education Action Plan and the European Skills Agenda.

Erasmus+ also aims at boosting cooperation with Partner countries all over the world. The National Erasmus+ Offices (NEO) assist the European Commission, the EACEA, and the third country authorities concerned in the implementation of the Erasmus+ Programme. Their mandate covers supporting, promotion and dissemination activities related to the international dimension of Erasmus+ actions.

For additional information on Erasmus+, please consult: http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/index_en.htm .

Job description

The successful candidate will be assigned the post of Coordinator of the NEO in the Syria Arab Republic. He/She will be responsible for the implementation and coordination of the following activities:

• Promotion, information and follow up of the Erasmus+ programme, including organisation of information campaigns, maintaining a website on upcoming calls for proposals, promotion material and activities, etc.
• Support and training to local potential applicants interested to apply to Erasmus+, including organisation of training sessions and ad-hoc consultations on how to prepare a competitive proposal, as well as on specific topics of the EU programmes covered.
• Dissemination and promotion of Erasmus+ project results, including communication and mainstreaming activities, as well as the provision of contributions to studies, statistics, reports and other analytical work for EACEA, the EU Delegation in Syria and national authorities in the fields of education, training, youth and sport.
• Follow up of higher education issues and activities of the Erasmus+ Higher Education Reform Experts (HEREs), including the preparation of draft briefing papers and analytical notes, as well as reports on the implementation and progress of projects in which the higher education institutions in the country are involved.
• Administration of the NEO, including managing the technical and administrative staff, monitoring the NEO budget and follow up financial issues, drafting NEO implementation reports.
• Coordination, including cooperation and reporting on data, statistics and other relevant information to the EACEA, the EU Delegation and national authorities in Syria, establishing effective working relations with the other NEOs in the Erasmus+ Partner countries and the Erasmus+ National Agencies in the Programme countries.

Requirements for the post

Minimum Eligibility Criteria

• Master's degree from a recognised university;
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken (minimum C1 level1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
• At least 10 years of professional experience in the fields of education and training or in organisations working with higher education institutions, TVET institutions, youth organisations or sports organisations.
• Experience in managing and coordinating a team.
• Proven experience in international project management and coordination (experience managing EU projects will be an asset);

Essential requirements

• Living in the country;
• Readiness to travel inside and, occasionally, outside the country
• Proven good knowledge of EU funded programmes and grant management procedures, preferably of Erasmus +
• Good knowledge of the local environment in at least one of the following fields: higher education, vocational education and training, sport and youth sectors;
• Ability to manage priorities;
• Good analytical, communication, drafting and reporting skills;
• Experience in communication, outreach and visibility activities;
• Strong motivation and commitment;
• Excellent computer literacy (word, excel, power point);

Advantageous requirements

• PhD degree;
• Good knowledge of the Erasmus+ programme and the EU funding rules and procedures;
• Professional experience in national public administration in the field of education and training or in international organisations;
• Knowledge of an additional EU language.
• Proficiency in using a computer, especially the following programs: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Power Point

Application procedure

Candidates must be of Syrian nationality and must submit the below two documents in English:

• up- to-date detailed curriculum vitae (CV), in Europass CV format;
• letter of motivation (2 pages maximum).
• Applications must be sent by e-mail to: delegation-syria-erasmus-plus@eeas.europa.eu
• Please mention the following in your e-mail subject title: "Application - Coordinator NEO_Syria"

Deadline for applications: 09/08/2026, 17:00 h (Syria time)

Non-compliance with the above requirements will lead to disqualification.

Selection Procedure

The selection of the candidates will be carried out by a Selection Committee composed of representatives of the "Ministry of Higher Education, and Scientific Research" and representatives of the EU Delegation to Syria.

The selection will be organised in the following steps:

1. Admissibility and eligibility check of the applicants;

2. The Selection Committee will analyse the motivation letter and CVs of eligible applicants.

Based on the evaluation, the Committee will establish a shortlist. All applicants will be notified about the Selection results. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to a written test and an interview.

3. The Selection Committee will hold written tests and interviews with the persons shortlisted in order to assess the candidate's competences, knowledge and motivation required for performing the duties. The interviews shall take place in English. The date will be announced separately.

The Selection Committee will then propose the name of the candidate to be confirmed.

In addition, a reserve list of candidates may be established.

Under no circumstances should candidates approach the Selection Committee members, either directly or indirectly concerning this recruitment. The authority authorised to conclude contracts reserves itself the right to disqualify any candidate who disregards these instructions.

A policy of equal opportunities will be applied during the selection process.

Conditions of employment

Indicative start date for employment: 01/01/2027

Contract duration

3 years (start date of the contract to be defined), subject to an upheld mandate from the European Commission for the NEO to operate in the country.

Salary

The salary will be competitive, considering salaries in comparable positions in the country.

Workload

Full time position (100%). This position is not compatible with other employments.

Location

Damascus, Syria

1 Please refer to the EU framework for language skills available in https://europass.europa.eu/en/common-european-framework-reference-language-skills