Head of Health Project

Assignment period: 01.08.2026 - 31.07.2027

Location: Damascus

Type of contract: National contract based on Syrian labour law

Type of employment: Fulltime

Job description

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 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 “Reconstruction of the Health System in Syria”, funded by the BMZ, seeks to contribute to the construction 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 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 populations, women, children, and persons 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

• Ensuring successful implementation of the “Reconstruction of the Health System in Syria” project in close coordination with the BMZ and partners in Syria

• Managing the project in technical, commercial, and administrative terms and ensuring budget control, financial planning, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation in line with GIZ and donor requirements

• Leading the national and international project team in accordance with GIZ’s leadership principles, ensuring a respectful, inclusive, and results-oriented leadership culture, team management, performance management and team development

• Fostering open, trusting, and professional cooperation with partner institutions, commissioning parties, health sector stakeholders, civil society organisations, and international development partners and representing GIZ vis-à-vis relevant governmental and institutional counterparts

• Coordinating closely with other development and implementing partners, particularly those active in the health sector, with the aim of strengthening strategic partnerships and leveraging synergies in the field of technical cooperation in health and public health system development

• Identifying synergies with other projects and initiatives, and proactively contributing to portfolio development and strategic positioning of German engagement in the health field

• Steering the technical and operational implementation of the project’s defined areas of intervention while ensuring conflict sensitivity, gender mainstreaming, and inclusion are integrated throughout

• Ensuring effective results-based monitoring and evaluation, regularly tracking progress against agreed indicators, checking progress reports for commissioning parties and partners, and deriving lessons and recommendations for adaptive project management

Your profile (required qualifications, competencies and experience)

• Postgraduate degree (Master or equivalent) in the field of medicine, health management, or another field related to public health system strengthening

• At least 10 years of professional experience in the public health system development and strengthening, collaboration with national health authorities, including extensive experience managing complex health projects in complex settings, cooperation with the public and private sector, international institutions and other relevant stakeholders

• At least 5 years of leadership experience and managing teams

• Proven management experience, including responsibility for technical, financial, and administrative implementation, budget control, financial planning, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation

• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, including the ability to lead and motivate multidisciplinary teams, foster a respectful and inclusive working culture, and engage effectively with political partners, civil society, and donors

• Strong professional network in Syria within relevant governmental, public, and international health circles, and the ability to use this network strategically to advance project objectives

• Strategic and analytical thinking, resilience, adaptability to changing and challenging environments, and a strong commitment to gender equality, inclusion, human rights, and conflict sensitivity

• 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 30.06.2026. 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.