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Expert on Women’s Political Participation in Syria (Service contract)

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Based in Brussels and active in over a dozen countries, the European Institute of Peace (www.eip.org) is an independent organisation working collaboratively with the parties to the conflict, those who represent people suffering from insecurity or at risk of violence, as well as European decision-makers and the conflict prevention, resolution and mediation community.


We provide practical experience, technical expertise, and policy advice on conflict resolution. We use a variety of tools to help us do this, including analysis, mapping and design of peace processes and agreements, facilitating policy discussions, and proposing practical engagement, for example through inclusive dialogue and mediation support. 


Are you captivated by our innovative approach to peace, and do you want to contribute to the mission of our institute? Do you share our vision for a world where people live in safety and peace because conflicts and grievances are resolved through inclusive dialogue and lasting political agreements?


We are looking for an Expert on Women’s Political Participation in Syria to support efforts to strengthen women’s meaningful participation in local governance and advance gender-responsive governance practices.

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Project background and objective

In the Syrian context, the project aims to strengthen women’s meaningful participation in local governance; to support gender-responsive policy development; and to enhance community engagement in Latakia and/or Tartous, Homs, and Rif Dimashq. The Expert’s primary role will be to co-design and deliver capacity building workshops in close collaboration with the programme’s Senior Gender Advisor and the EIP programmatic team. In partnership with the project’s local counterpart, this will include in-country delivery of the workshops, requiring travel to the selected target locations.

The Expert’s role will additionally entail contributing to the provision of advisory input and technical support to enhance gender sensitive and responsive governance, and to increase women’s meaningful participation in and engagement with local governance.

The Expert is expected to draw on their network to enhance and expand the impact of the project.


You will
  • Co-design, engage in preparations, and deliver capacity-building workshops in selected target locations in Latakia and/or Tartous, Homs, and Rif Dimashq, and engage in preparatory activities, in coordination with the Senior Gender Advisor, programme team, local partners, and co-facilitator(s).
  • Develop and adapt training agendas, methodologies, and materials on topics related to political literacy, leadership, and women’s political participation, ensuring relevance to local contexts and evolving developments on the ground in close collaboration with project team and local partners.
  • Facilitate interactive in-person training workshops in Syria (including up to two field missions), fostering inclusive participation and engagement among diverse stakeholders, and applying gender-sensitive techniques.
  • Ensure all activities and training approaches are gender-sensitive, context-specific, conflict-sensitive, and aligned with do-no-harm principles and relevant best practices.
  • Provide written reports summarising the impact of each of the trainings and workshops, format to be agreed upon prior with project team.
  • Provide advisory input and technical support to enhance gender sensitive and responsive governance and to increase women’s meaningful participation in and engagement with local governance, including with but not limited to local governance stakeholders and civil society.
  • Provide support to inclusive dialogue and consultation efforts and mechanisms between women in governance, civil society actors, and local communities.
  • Engage and coordinate with local networks and partners to support stakeholder outreach, participant identification, speaker engagement, and workshop preparation and logistics.
  • Maintain close coordination with local partners and the Senior Gender Advisor to ensure coherent implementation, technical quality, and contextually informed programming.
  • Maintain regular availability throughout the assignment period and actively participate in coordination meetings, team calls, planning sessions, debriefings and other project related exchanges with programme staff, Advisors and partners, as required for the successful delivery of the assignment.

Your skills and experience
  • Minimum 6 years of professional experience working on women’s political participation, women’s rights, and/or the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, with essential and demonstrated experience working in Syria.
  • Experience providing technical advice across one or more of the following areas: women’s political participation, inclusive governance, policy development, and institutional strengthening.
  • Experience designing and delivering capacity-building initiatives, including development of training materials, facilitation methodologies, and/or Training-of-Trainers (ToT) approaches.
  • Strong contextual knowledge of Syria and strong networks within Syria,  and experience engaging with civil society organisations and/or multi-stakeholder processes, are required, with prior engagement with local governance actors considered an important asset.
  • Experience supporting or advising inclusive participation mechanisms for women, such as councils, consultation platforms, or community engagement structures would be considered an important asset.
  • Experience contributing to strategic communications, media engagement, and/or context-sensitive social and behavioural change initiatives related to gender equality and women’s participation would be considered an asset.
  • Strong knowledge of international gender equality and Women, Peace and Security (WPS) frameworks, with the ability to apply these in context-specific and conflict-sensitive programming.
  • Excellent facilitation, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including governance actors, civil society representatives, and media partners.
  • Fluency, both written and spoken, in Arabic and in English is required.
  • Willing and able to travel to Syria or based in Syria.


What we are offering

Consultancy contract from July 2026 until March 2027.

Start date: as soon as possible

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Recruitment process

Closing date: 28/06/2026, midnight (CEST).


Please submit your application using the webform below.


Our hiring team will review all applications after the closing date of the vacancy. We will keep you informed on the status of your application.


EIP firmly believes that diverse perspectives are key to our work. Therefore we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusiveness. Your qualities and commitment are what matter to us, regardless of race, nationality, gender, age, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.

 
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Apply Now!