Technical Field Manager, Syria

MAG International; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 69,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation provided in-country

Four international flights per year

Comprehensive programme insurance

Job summary

MAG International, based in the UK, seeks a Technical Field Manager for Syria to lead and develop teams in hazardous environments across mine/IDOP operations. You will train staff, monitor field activities, and ensure safe execution while liaising with partners and donors.

Fluency in English is essential; Arabic or Kurdish is desirable. Roles are remote across Syria as opportunities arise and funding permits, with a salary package around £76,524 per year including allowances.

Qualifications

• IMAS Level 3 EOD qualification is required (advanced explosive theory, etc.).
• Experience in quality management, operational management and clearance in minefields, BAC, IED clearance.
• Ability to develop, review and comply with security and technical SOPs.
• Ability to contribute technical knowledge and clearance targets to proposals and reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage teams of locally recruited staff to safely implement IED, mine and EOD operations.
• Conduct training and day-to-day assessment and monitoring of staff to ensure safe practice.
• Represent MAG to donors, implementing partners, local communities and other agencies.
• Coordinate communication and reporting across the Syria programme, across current and future opportunities.

Skills

IMAS Level 3 EOD

Field operations leadership

Team management

Diplomatic liaison

English proficiency

Education

IMAS Level 3 EOD qualification

Job description

Technical Field Manager, Syria

The starting salary package for this position is £76,524 GBP / approx. $103,900 USD including all allowances.

This role is subject to funding.

About MAG:

MAG (Mines Advisory Group) is an international humanitarian organisation based in Manchester, UK, and working in 32 countries. We remove landmines and unexploded ordnance to release safe and productive land for communities, and work to reduce the threat of armed violence by supporting governments to safely manage weapons and ammunition. In 1997, MAG was a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for our work campaigning for the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.

About the role:

Our Technical Field Managers are the core of our work and actively manage and lead our teams of locally recruited staff to safely implement our life saving IED, mine and BAC clearance and EOD operations. Reporting to the Technical Operations Manager, you will conduct training and day to day assessment and monitoring of all staff carrying out technical operations, ensuring safe practice and building local capacity for humanitarian mine action activities. You will support the Technical Operations Manager in ensuring overall safe execution of all MAG technical activities across the country of operation. You will ensure effective communication and reporting, including representation of MAG to donors, implementing partners, local communities, and other agencies. Roles are in remote areas, working in challenging contexts away from home comforts, but the life-saving impact the work has on local communities is very real.

About the Syria programme:

MAG has been responding to the Syria crisis since 2013, working to support development by finding and destroying the explosive remnants of war so that communities can raise their families and pursue their livelihoods in a safe and secure environment, free from fear of death or injury. In addition to our current programme in the North East, we are expanding our life-saving initiatives further throughout Syria. You will join our growing team to support across all of Syria, based on where and how opportunities arise in the future.

You must be qualified to IMAS EOD 3 (or equivalent), with previous experience of working in IED/mine clearance, conventional minefields and EOD operations in developing countries contaminated by remnants of conflict, and have managed integrated field operations. Additionally, it would be advantageous to hold an IMAS IEDD 3 qualification and have experience in IEDD or High Risk Search operations. You will need excellent diplomacy and liaison skills to effectively build relationships with our national partners and authorities. You must have excellent people management skills with a proven track record of leading, motivating, and managing a diverse team of people. You will also have the ability to contribute technical knowledge and clearance targets in proposals and reports and demonstrate a proven track record of delivering training and capacity building of locally recruited staff and national partners. Fluent written and spoken English language skills are essential, whilst local language skills, such as Arabic or Kurdish would be desirable.

We’re looking for someone with:

• Explosive Ordnance Qualification to IMAS Level 3 in line with IMAS 09.10/01/2023 (Advanced Explosive Theory, Bulk Demolitions, Air Dropped Weapons, Guided Weapons, Chemical Ordnance (Basic), Armoured Fighting Vehicle Clearance) This can be from a relevant and recognised military, civilian or HMA NGO.
• Experience in quality management, operational management and clearance in conventional minefields, BAC, IED “minefield” clearance, integrated mechanical land release
• The ability to develop, review and comply with security and technical Standard Operating Procedures
• The ability to contribute technical knowledge and clearance targets to proposals and reports

Please note that as part of MAG's commitment to safeguarding, this post is subject to background checks before an offer of employment is confirmed. For more information on MAG’s approach to safeguarding and background checks on our website.

MAG is committed to the principles of diversity, equality and inclusion. If you think you would be suited to one of our roles we would welcome your application regardless of your background. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment where all employees feel respected and supported in fulfilling their potential.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Renumeration Package: £76,524 per annum including basic salary and all allowances and this increases with service.
• Accommodation:MAG will provide accommodation in-country.
• Leave: We recognise our staff work hard and need the appropriate time out to stay motivated. You'll have a minimum of eight weeks out of the programme per year.
• Flights: MAG provides four international flights home per year.
• Insurance: Internationally contracted, programme based staff are automatically covered by MAG's comprehensive insurance package including: Personal accident and medical expenses insurance; Death by natural causes insurance and access to 24-hour medical assistance.