KfW Banking Group
KfW, a public law institution under German law, is supporting the German Federal Government to achieve its goals in development policy and international development cooperation for more than 60 years. In this regard, KfW is both an experienced bank and a development institution with financing expertise, an expert knowledge of development policy and many years of national and international experience. On behalf of the German Federal Government, and primarily the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), KfW finances and supports projects that mainly involve public sector players in developing countries and emerging economies – from their conception and execution to monitoring their success. KfW’s goal is to help our partner countries fight poverty, maintain peace, protect the environment and the climate, and shape globalization in an appropriate way. More than 900 staff at its head office in Frankfurt, Germany and about 440 specialists in more than 64 local offices worldwide cooperate with partners all over the world.
In Syria, KfW currently finances projects mainly in the following sectors: basic infrastructure, employment creation, health, agriculture, water/wastewater, WASH, education, private sector development, good governance, social cohesion.
KfW Office Syria
The KfW Office Syria is currently re-established and is operational as of August 2026. The KfW Office will be a small, dynamic set-up actively supporting KfW’s interests and the German Government’s development cooperation in Syria.
The Syria office covers various aspects of KfW’s engagement in the country. The principal purposes of the Country Office is to strengthen the effectiveness of German Development Cooperation (GDC) in general, and in particular the Financial Cooperation (FC) with Syria; strengthen the visibility of development policy and the positioning of GDC in the international donor community; and to intensify the contact with partner institutions and project executing agencies with regard to a more effective, efficient and rapid implementation as well as identifying the potential for development and promotional loans as well as mandates.
In this respect, an expert in Project Coordination is sought for the office in Damascus for an initial period of two years with the possibility of an extension.
Starting date: November 2026
Duration: 24 months, full-time position
Location: Damascus and Syria
Main duties & responsibilities
The project coordinator focuses on supporting projects and programs in the infrastructure sector including rehabilitation of basic infrastructure, employment creation, health, agriculture, water/wastewater, WASH, education, private sector development, good governance, social cohesion. In addition, the project coordinator is expected to liaise with governmental institutions and entities across Syria. Furthermore, the project coordinator is expected to assist in PR-related matters.
The project coordinator shall implement all tasks according to KfW regulations and guidelines in a way that ensures smooth running of daily office and project affairs and timely adherence to logistic requirements. High flexibility according to arising needs is required in organizing daily work. Moreover, a strong sense of proactivity and of being responsible for the respective tasks contributing to the functioning of the office in Damascus is expected.
Project Coordination:
- support and advise the Peace and Security Sector Team and the Country Director of KfW Office Syria in the preparation and implementation of respective projects and programs;
- monitor and report on relevant developments in the sectors of basic infrastructure, employment creation, health, agriculture, water/wastewater, WASH, education, private sector development, good governance, social cohesion including financial sector and initiatives of other donors;
- facilitate signing of financing agreements and disbursement processes
- prepare assessments and analysis related to (potential) project executing agencies and peace and conflict aspects;
- attend donor and partner related meetings in close coordination with the Country Director of KfW Office Syria and the Peace and Security Sector Team;
- facilitate communication between the Syrian Government and the project executing agencies;
- explore and identify new project/program opportunities based on a do-no-harm-approach and new partnerships in the above mentioned sectors as well as additional sectors;
- undertake project preparation and project management tasks in the sector in close coordination with the respective sector team/s at HQ and the Country Director;
- monitor projects and programs under implementation, undertake regular site visits to the projects all over Syria, and draft monitoring reports;
- review, comment on and contribute to project proposals and progress;
- support other local KfW colleagues in their work, if and when required;
- Support and accompany missions from KfW HQ (arranging meetings, coordination of in-country field visits with partner organizations, etc.).
PR & Liaison:
- PR assistance: daily screening of newspapers and compiling relevant news and headlines into a press overview; prepare and regularly update PR materials on projects and KfW’s work in Syria;
- Liaison with Government of Syria and implementing partners: establish regular contact to relevant GoS institutions and liaise on matters pertinent to project implementation (in close coordination with the Country Director);
- Translation: act as translator if and when required by the Country Director and visiting missions.
Required Competencies & Skills
- Master level degree in economics, political/social sciences or related fields;
- Fluency in English, Arabic (speaking/writing);
- German language is not required but would be an asset, wanting to learn German would be a plus;
- A minimum of 3 to 5 (but preferably more) years of significant working experience with bi-or multilateral agencies, donors, international institutions or a large international NGO;
- Profound understanding of the infrastructure and finance sector in Syria;
- Computer literacy in excel, accounting software, online banking and the like and an affinity to database management and other systems that could increase the efficiency of our current systems;
- Proven ability to build and manage successful relationships and to establish a business network;
- Experience in the coordination of complex projects, especially infrastructure projects in Syria would be an additional asset;
- Demonstrated understanding of international development cooperation, strategies and projects (incl. gender mainstreaming and gender-related challenges, do-no-harm approaches, peace-and conflict assessments, climate change);
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, intercultural competence;
- Willingness to work in teams and pro-active work attitude
- Willingness to travel in-country and abroad according to requirements.
How to apply
To apply, please submit all required documents in English to the following email address:
application.office-syria@kfw.de
Required documents:
1. Detailed and up-to-date CV
2. Motivational statement (max. 3 pages) covering:
- Interest in the position
- Job-relevant experience (projects, key achievements, responsibilities)
- Interest in working for KfW and your contribution
- Salary expectations (approx. gross salary range per year)
3. All relevant qualifications and degrees (school, university, trainings, etc.).
Only applications submitted in English and including all required documents will be considered during the application process.
Recruitment is subject to satisfactory reference and background checks. By submitting an application, candidates acknowledge and agree to provide the requested information and to undergo the relevant checks.
We look forward to receiving your application!