Return and Reintegration Advisor

Position description

Assignment period: 01.06.2026 – 30.05.2027
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 (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 project “Stabilisation, Peacebuilding and Community Empowerment II” (SPaCE II), funded by the FFO, contributes to the German government’s commitment to a peaceful transition in Syria. The aim of the project is to contribute to stabilisation by enhancing inclusive conflict resolution and peacebuilding, supporting return and reintegration as well as preventing violent extremism. The stabilisation measures of the project are focusing on solving and preventing conflicts, improving living conditions and access to basic services, and strengthening local communities in cooperation with implementing partners, volunteer teams and grassroots initiatives. Project activities include community consultations, mediation processes, and awareness raising campaigns to include members of all societal groups in decision-making. In the focus are measures to cover acute, short- and medium-term needs of the population, especially of internally displaced persons, returnees, women, youth, and people with disabilities.

Your tasks

• Developing project activities with the focus on return and reintegration, migration, rehabilitation and reconstruction and advising partners on the implementation of the respective activities
• Steering the development of project proposals, logframes and budget plans according to GIZ standards for concluding financing arrangements
• Monitoring and reporting on the implementation of project activities, integrating partner’s results into GIZ M+E tracking and following up on activities in cooperation with the Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) provider
• Supporting partners in their technical capacity development based on capacity needs assessments and expanding the project’s partner network
• Coordinating activities of civil society actors, volunteer teams and grassroots initiatives to contribute to return and reintegration of internally displaced persons, returnees from camps, different regions in Syria and abroad
• Supporting the management in strategic and technical development of the SPaCE II project
• Where appropriate and reasonable, performing additional tasks upon request of the management

Your profile (required qualifications, competencies and experience)

• University degree in political or social sciences, migration policies or a related field
• At least 5 years of professional experience in implementing approaches to support return and reintegration of internally displaced persons or returnees
• Professional experience in cooperation with internationally funded projects on migration management
• Proven experience in working on rehabilitation and reconstruction
• Experience in implementing project activities in the framework of financing arrangements with national and international public benefit organisations
• Experience with Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) and remote steering
• Strong political sensitivity and analytical thinking, consulting, communication and cooperation skills as well as intercultural competence
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic, knowledge of German is an asset

Application instructions

The 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 28.02.2026. 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 submit your application indicating in the subject line the respective title of the position.

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