Head of Rule of Law Project

Assignment period: 01.05.2026 - 30.04.2027
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, 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 “Strengthening the Rule of Law in Syria,” funded by the BMZ, aims to reinforce and sustainably anchor the principles of the rule of law within the Syrian justice system. The project supports the professionalisation of judicial institutions by assisting training institutes and courts in improving their institutional structures, technical competencies as well as transparency and efficiency. At the same time, access to justice for the population is being expanded, including through local legal counselling services as well as information and awareness raising campaigns. In addition, the project promotes independent civil society reporting that monitors compliance with international human rights standards and helps bring relevant developments to public attention.


Your tasks

• • Responsible for the successful implementation of the Rule of Law project in close coordination with BMZ and the partners in the Syrian context
  • Manage the project in technical, commercial, and administrative terms and are re-sponsible for budget control, financial planning, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation in line with GIZ and donor requirements
  • Lead the project team (national and international staff) in accordance with GIZ’s leadership principles, ensuring a respectful, inclusive, and results-oriented leadership culture
  • Disciplinary lead of national and international staff and responsible for team management, performance management and team development
  • Foster open, trusting, and professional cooperation with partner institutions, commissioning parties, justice sector stakeholders, civil society organisations, and international development partners to promote rule of law, access to justice, and good governance, and represent GIZ vis-à-vis relevant governmental and institutional counterparts
  • Coordinate closely with other development and implementing partners, particularly those active in the justice sector, with the aim of strengthening strategic partnerships and leveraging synergies in the field of rule of law
  • Identify synergies with other projects and initiatives within the GIZ “Governance, Peace, Social Cohesion” cluster and proactively contribute to portfolio development and strategic positioning of GIZ’s engagement in the rule of law field
  • Steer the technical and operational implementation of the project’s defined areas of intervention while ensuring conflict sensitivity, gender mainstreaming, and inclusion are integrated throughout
  • Ensure effective results-based monitoring and evaluation, regularly track progress against agreed indicators, prepare progress reports for commissioning parties and partners, and derive lessons and recommendations for adaptive project management
• 
  Your profile (required qualifications, competencies and experience)
  
  
  • University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Law, Public Administration, Political Science, Development Studies, or another field relevant to governance and rule of law
  • At least 10 years of professional experience in international development cooperation, including extensive experience managing complex rule-of-law, governance, or justice sector projects in fragile or conflict-affected settings
  • 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, in accordance with GIZ or comparable donor procedures
  • Demonstrated expertise in working with justice and governance institutions (e.g. ministries of justice, courts, legal aid bodies, bar associations) and in supporting legal and institutional reform, access to justice, and human rights promotion
  • 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
  • Fluency in Arabic and English (both written and spoken) is mandatory. Proven ability to work and communicate effectively in both languages in professional and political contexts
  • Strong professional network in Syria within relevant governmental, judicial, and civil society 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
• How to apply
  
  
  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 31.01.2026. 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 [email protected] indicating in the subject line the respective title of the position