Weapons & Ammunition Management Technical Lead, Western Balkans

MAG International; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation provided

Three international flights home per y

Comprehensive insurance

Six weeks leave per year

Job summary

MAG (Mines Advisory Group) is seeking a WAM Technical Lead for the Western Balkans region on a 12‑month fixed‑term contract. Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina with regional travel; in‑country accommodation provided.

The role leads SALW and PSSM technical assessments, develops SOPs, and oversees training, with oversight of multi‑country WAM operations and engagement with national authorities and donors.

Qualifications

• Experience with SALW and PSSM within MAG or similar organisations.
• Ability to lead, mentor and manage diverse teams across countries.
• Experience developing SOPs and training materials for WAM operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead SALW and PSSM technical assessments and supervise field operations.
• Act as principal technical lead for safe management of weapons and ammunition.
• Manage technical tasking for WAM contracts, including rehabilitation and storage facilities.

Skills

English fluency

Team leadership

Mentoring

WAM knowledge

Training delivery

Education

EOD 3+ Qualification

Tools

IATG knowledge

MS Excel

Job description

WAM Technical Lead, Western Balkans

This is a Fixed Term role for 12 months.

The starting salary package for this position is £77,936 GBP including all allowances.

This is an unaccompanied post.

Location: Bosnia Herzegovina with travel across the region.

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

In this role, you will be responsible for implementing all aspects of Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) operations and related activities within the Western Balkans region, in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and as directed by the Country Director (CD)

Key responsibilities will include conducting joint assessments with national authorities and coordinating and providing technical oversight of WAM projects. These projects may involve weapons and ammunition destruction, the design, delivery, and quality assurance of Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) training, the development and implementation of operational SOPs, and providing guidance to the Construction Manager on the rehabilitation or construction of storage and related facilities.

The post holder will also support the CD in ensuring the safe and effective delivery of all MAG technical activities across countries of operation.

About the Western Balkans programme

After ten years as a mine action programme in Bosnia i Herzegovina MAG is re-establishing its presence to deliver a sub-regional weapons and ammunition project. Based in Sarajevo the project will work with agreed security and defence forces in three countries to reduce the risk of de-stabilisation to populations through increased safety and security of state-controlled weapons. The role will lead engagement with regional stakeholders, national authorities and donors to deliver the programme and seek to further expand WAM opportunities. Alongside the WAM Technical Lead there will be a very small team of national staff to achieve these aims.

Responsibilities

WAM Technical Leadership & Operations

• Lead SALW andPSSM technical assessmentsand supervise fieldoperations across MAGWAM programmes.
• Act as theprincipal technical leadfor the safeand secure managementof weapons andammunition.
• Manage technical taskingfor WAM contracts, including assessments,rehabilitation, and constructionof ammunition storagefacilities.

IATG & Technical Standards

• Apply theInternational AmmunitionTechnical Guidelines (IATG)and implement appropriateRisk Reduction Processlevels—basic, intermediate, or advanced—according to national capacityand operational context.
• Provide technical adviceto national authoritiesand conduct technicalmissions across theCaribbean region.

Training & Capacity Development

• Deliver PSSM ammunitionstockpile management trainingin accordance withIATG and UNSaferGuardstandards.
• Deliver SALW managementtraining in accordancewithMOSAIC.
• Oversee regional coachingand mentoring programmesto strengthen nationalcapabilities.

Technical Team Management

• Support recruitment andmanagement of technicalstaff, consultants, andcontractors.
• Motivate, mentor, anddevelop the technicalteam to maintainhigh professional andoperational standards.
• Build effective workingrelationships with nationalpersonnel and externaltechnical partners.

Reporting, Monitoring & Incident Management

• Provide the Country Director (CD) with regular updates on WAM operations, technical challenges, security concerns, and programme progress.
• Prepare accurate weekly/monthly reports and technical documentation.
• Lead or supportthorough investigationand reporting ofWAM-related incidentsand accidents, includingrecommendations for correctiveaction.

Stakeholder Coordination & Representation

• Liaise with and represent MAG to government authorities, donors, implementing partners, local officials, and other agencies.
• Contribute technical information, case studies, planning, and lessons learned to improve MAG's WAM performanceand impact.
• Participate actively intheMAG WAM Communityof Practice.

Safety, Security & Senior Management Support

• Monitor the security situation in operational areas and ensure the CD is informed of relevant risks and developments.
• Ensure WAM activities comply with MAG health, safety, security, and operational procedures.
• Deputise for the Country Director when required, providingleadership and decision-making support.

Essential Experience

• Experience in Physical Security and Stockpile Management work, conducting and planning inspections and licensing/compliance on behalf of a National Technical Authority.
• Experience of conducting formal and/or informal training at an Internationally recognized training establishment and the transfer of appropriate skills to others.
• Experience of managing WAM Operations across multiple countries.
• Experience of leading, motivating and managing a diverse team of people.
• Experience of mentoring and coaching others.
• Experience of conducting formal or informal training and the transfer of appropriate skills to others.
• Experience of working independently for extended periods of time, in 'stand-alone' environments with minimal supervision.

Essential Skills and Knowledge

• Minimum EOD3+ and/or CBRN and/or IEDD and/or large-scale logistic disposal.
• Training, experience and knowledge of a wide range of Land, Air and Navy Services Ordnance.
• Technical knowledge of WAM type activities and operations.
• 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.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to plan and coordinate activities and projects.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good literacy, numeracy and IT skills, specifically word and Excel.
• Fluency in English.

Qualifications

• EOD 3+ Qualification.
• AT/ATO Qualification Desirable.
• Relevant and recognised WAM qualification to fulfil organisational needs or suitable practical experience.

Renumeration Package

£77,936 per annum including basic salary and all allowances and this increases with service.

Accommodation

MAG will provide accommodation in-country.

Leave

We recognize our staff work hard and need the appropriate time out to stay motivated. You'll have a minimum of six weeks out of the programme per year.

Flights

MAG provides three 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.