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Local Economic Development Advisor

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Published

30 Sept 2026

Country: Syrian Arab RepublicOrganization: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbHClosing date: 14 Oct 2026Job descriptionGIZ 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 (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 Local Economic Development Advisor is responsible for the project’s activities that strengthen the organisational, entrepreneurial and social capacities of collectively organised actors, such as savings groups, women’s groups, cooperatives and self-help organisations, market committees and business incubators.Your tasksDeveloping and steering project activities that strengthen collectively organised actors and their members, and advising partner organisations on their implementationAdvising partners and supported structures on organisational development (e.g. roles, decision-making and standard operating procedures), on services for their members such as savings and lending, dispute handling and access to basic services, on income-generating initiatives, and on representing their members’ interests towards local administrative structuresSteering the development of partner proposals, operational and budget plans according to GIZ standards for concluding financing arrangements, and accompanying partners throughout implementationMonitoring and reporting on the implementation of partner activities and contributing to project reportingFacilitating exchange and peer learning among supported structures and partner organisations, and coordinating with other GIZ projects and actors working on local economic development in the project locationsEnsuring conflict sensitivity, gender equality and the inclusion of persons with disabilities across the activities in the area of responsibilitySupporting the team in records management, in particular in keeping the project’s MS Teams environment and Centralised Organisation of Records well structured and in ensuring that project documentation is complete and filed in line with GIZ standardsSupporting the management in the strategic and technical development of the SERNOS projectWhere appropriate and reasonable, performing additional tasks upon request of the managementYour profile (required qualifications, competencies and experience)University degree in economics, social sciences, agriculture, development studies or in a relevant fieldMinimum 5 years of professional experience in a comparable position working on local economic development, community-based savings and lending, cooperative or association development, or support to micro and small enterprisesDemonstrated experience with participatory approaches and social cohesion or conflict-sensitive programmingProfessional experience in working and cooperating with Syrian and international implementing organisationsExperience in implementing project activities in the framework of financing arrangements with national and international public benefit organisationsPolitical sensitivity and analytical thinking, consulting, communication and cooperation skills as well as intercultural competenceWillingness to travel regularly to project locations across SyriaProfessional fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic, knowledge of Kurdish or German is an assetHow to applyAdditional informationThe following minimum requirements for applications need to be fulfilled:Only application documents in English will be accepted. Documents in Arabic cannot be considered during the selection process.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.