MHPSS Implementation Manager

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 reopened its Country Office in Damascus in 2026. It is currently implementing 15 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.

The project “Strengthening the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) System in Syria” is due to start on 1. December 2026 for a duration of 3 years. Given the continued high demand for MHPSS services across Syria, the aim of the project is to strengthen the Syrian MHPSS system by

• supporting the development of national strategies, regulatory frameworks and uniform quality standards for MHPSS services
• developing practice-oriented training and continuing professional development programs for MHPSS professionals and ensuring these are permanently established in local training institutions
• supporting partner organizations in offering MHPSS services for particularly distressed population groups, including survivors of torture, some of them through non-traditional (e.g. creative) interventions
• working with researchers to scientifically accompany and evaluate the MHPSS-services offered through the project and preparing the findings for professionals, thereby expanding target-group-specific knowledge and promoting the application of effective approaches
• training and advising professionals from the fields of education, peacebuilding, transitional justice and disaster risk management on how to work in an MHPSS-informed manner with people affected by crises and conflicts.

In this position as MHPSS Implementation Manager, you will have both managerial and technical tasks and will be overall responsible for the project’s implementation and its work packages as mentioned above. In addition, you will be supporting the development of national strategies, regulatory frameworks and standards for MHPSS-services in tandem with two other colleagues. You will be reporting to the head of project who is at the same time leading another GIZ project in the health sector.

Your tasks

• Overseeing and coordinating the project’s implementation across all abovementioned work packages
• Managing the MHPSS project team consisting of 5 national and 1 international MHPSS technical advisors.
• Technically supporting staff in their work regarding the abovementioned work packages
• Functioning as liaison person with governmental entities in Syria, particularly the Directorate for Mental Health within the Ministry of Health, the Council for Mental Health and Addiction, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management and the National Commission for Missing Persons
• Supporting governmental entities in strengthening MHPSS-systems and structures, including through the development of national strategies, regulatory frameworks and quality standards on MHPSS. This comprises for example providing continuous technical and process-oriented advisory services, capacity development measures, facilitating the coordination between different institutions, giving technical inputs etc.
• Representing the project towards actors in Syria

Your profile (required qualifications, competencies and experience)

• A completed post-graduate degree in mental health, clinical or general psychology, psychological counselling, psychiatry or a related field
• At least 3 years of experience in managing a team
• At least 7 years of professional experience in MHPSS, preferably in the Middle East, particularly in/ for Syria
• Experience in interacting with government stakeholders, particularly regarding the development of MHPSS strategies and standards
• Experience with strengthening national or sub-national MHPSS-systems and structures
• A high degree of understanding of the Syrian MHPSS system (governmental, civil society, and academic)
• Knowledge in the areas of peacebuilding, social cohesion, transitional justice and their interactions with the field of MHPSS
• A high ability to maintain an overview of encompassing projects and coordinate them, also under pressure, as well as good judgement and decision-making
• Strong teamwork skills
• High cultural-, context- and gender-sensitivity as well as sensitivity to inclusion issues
• High intercultural competence and diplomatic skills
• A high motivation to contribute to strengthening the MHPSS system in Syria
• Resilience and frustration tolerance
• Business fluency in Arabic and English
• An existing network of MHPSS actors (preferably governmental, civil society, and academic) in Syria is an asset
• Knowledge of and experience with GIZ procedures and policies is an asset
• Basic knowledge of German is an asset

كيفية التقديم

Additional information

The following minimum requirements for applications need to be fulfilled:

1. Only application documents in English will be accepted. Documents in Arabic cannot be considered during the selection process.
2. Mandatory documents are CV and application letter in English stating your qualifications and previous professional experiences.

The deadline for application is 25.11.2026. 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.

This is a national position governed by GIZ Syria’s national terms and conditions of employment. The salary is paid in Syrian pounds (SYP) and is benchmarked against comparable roles to ensure it is competitive in the Syrian labour market.

Please submit your application to [email protected] indicating in the subject line only the respective title of the position.