Assignment period: 01.06.2026 – 31.05.2027
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 several projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Federal Foreign Office, with co-financing from the European Union and other donors. Throughout this year, the portfolio is planned to be expanded by additional new projects.
The BMZ-funded project “Rebuilding the Health Sector in Syria” seeks to contribute to the development of a resilient, inclusive and sustainable health system able to provide quality-assured, inclusive and gender-responsive health services to the Syrian population. It supports the Ministry of Health (MoH) and its institutions through technical cooperation, training and targeted research to develop fair fee structures, unified quality standards and gender-specific health approaches. The project particularly prioritises vulnerable groups, including low-income population, women, children and people with disabilities, aiming to enable and enhance the Ministry’s capacities to deliver health services across Syria, while upholding sustainability and system-wide quality improvements.
Your tasks
- Providing technical and process advisory to GIZ, in supporting the Syrian Health System and line ministry for the development of a comprehensive health financing strategy based on a poverty-oriented fee schedule, taking into account public, private, and donor funding sources
- Advising GIZ on the establishment and institutional anchoring of a dedicated health financing expert team within the Health Ministry and, where relevant, in coordination with the other Syrian Ministries
- Coordinating the support for technical and managerial staff, to support GIZ and the MoH in the cost analysis of health services and, based on the results, supporting the development of a poverty-oriented, inclusive, and gender-responsive fee schedule for public health services
- Supporting technical and managerial staff of the MoH in conducting a cost analysis of health services and, based on the results, in developing a poverty-oriented, inclusive, and gender-responsive fee schedule for public health services
- Designing and implementing competency development measures (trainings, workshops, coaching, mentoring) for MoH staff and regional health directorates on inclusive and gender-responsive health financing
- Facilitating partnerships between Syrian and international universities and research centers to support studies and research projects, including undergraduate and postgraduate theses, particularly in areas such as health service costing and financing
- Identifying needs for short-term expertise for all health finance activities, preparing Terms of Reference, technically supervising assignments, and conducting quality assurance of deliverables to ensure coherence and technical quality
- Providing continuous technical backstopping to ensure that inclusive and gender-responsive principles are systematically integrated into health financing policies, instruments and decision-making processes
- Supporting the management in monitoring progress against agreed indicators, documenting results, and preparing technical reports and recommendations for adaptive management
- Where appropriate and reasonable, performing additional tasks upon request of the management
Your profile (required qualifications, competencies and experience)
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in health economics, public finance, public health, health policy or a related field
- Minimum 7 years of professional experience in health financing reform and health economics
- Experience supporting institutional development, including establishing technical units or expert teams within ministries
- Strong analytical skills and familiarity with quantitative and qualitative health financing methodologies, inclusive and gender-responsive health financing models, poverty-oriented or equity-based financing models and cost analyses of health services
- Experience in collaborating with academic and research institutions and promoting evidence-based policymaking
- Knowledge of international health standards and frameworks for health financing systems and public health implementation
- In depth knowledge of the Syrian health system and health networks, and experience providing technical advisory support to government institutions and other stakeholders at national and subnational levels
- Work experience in stakeholder coordination and partnership facilitation with international donors, multilateral agencies, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions
- Excellent analytical, communication, and reporting skills
- Ability to work under pressure and with tight deadlines, respect for different cultural, diversity and gender backgrounds
- Professional fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic, knowledge of German is an asset
How to apply
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 30.04.2026. 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 to hr.syria@giz.de indicating in the subject line the respective title of the position.