Researcher / Analyst

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 organizations. 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 reopens its Country Office in Damascus in 2026. It is currently implementing 14 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 Analysis and Research Unit supports the Syria portfolio with timely, evidence-based analysis on general context, including economic and social developments. It provides decision-relevant research and analysis to programme teams, senior management and commissioning parties.

The Researcher / Analyst will contribute to this work by combining strong research skills with analytical judgement, local knowledge and the ability to turn complex and sometimes incomplete information into clear and concise analysis.

Your tasks

• Monitor and analyse political, security, governance, economic and social developments relevant to GIZ’s work in Syria.
• Conduct focused research in response to questions from programme teams, senior management and commissioning parties.
• Analyse developments at national and sub-national level.
• Identify emerging trends, risks and changes in the operating environment and assess their potential implications for GIZ programmes and partners.
• Triangulate information across Arabic- and English-language open sources, official information.
• Draft concise analytical notes, briefings, situation updates, profiles, stakeholder mappings and other research products.
• Support assessments of institutions, organizations, stakeholders and potential partners where relevant to programme decision-making.
• Conduct key informant interviews and other consultations and contribute to developing and maintaining relevant professional information networks.
• Contribute to political economy, conflict sensitivity, access and operational risk analysis.
• Maintain structured research records, source logs, datasets and other analytical resources used by the team.
• Support the use of digital research and analytical tools, while independently checking underlying sources and analytical outputs.
• Work closely with other analysts to test assumptions, challenge conclusions and improve the quality and consistency of the unit’s analytical products.
• Develop subject-matter or geographic expertise in line with the priorities of the Analysis and Research Unit.

Your profile (required qualifications, competencies and experience)

• University degree in political science, international relations, economics, sociology, development studies, law, security studies, journalism or another relevant field.
• Relevant professional experience in research, analysis, journalism, international development, humanitarian affairs, governance, security analysis or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of contemporary Syria, including its political, institutional, socio-economic and security context.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research using multiple sources and to assess the reliability and limitations of available information.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to identify patterns, assess competing explanations and explain the significance of developments rather than simply describe them.
• Ability to work with incomplete, and sometimes contradictory information and to communicate uncertainty clearly.
• Strong Arabic-language research skills, including the ability to work across formal and informal Arabic-language sources.
• Strong professional English skills, particularly in written analysis.
• Ability to write clearly, concisely and in a way that is accessible to non-specialist audiences.
• Strong online research, information verification and source assessment skills.
• Experience conducting interviews, consultations or maintaining professional information networks is an advantage.
• Familiarity with spreadsheets, data management, mapping, social-media research, data visualisation or other analytical tools is an advantage.
• Experience working with an international organisation, research institution, think tank, media organisation or consultancy is an advantage.
• Strong judgement, intellectual curiosity and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while contributing actively to a collaborative analytical team.
• Ability to work under short deadlines and adapt to changing analytical priorities.