Country Director, Syria Response

Overview

Provide strategic leadership and oversight of MAG operations in Syria

You have:

• Extensive experience working internationally at a senior management level in large-scale humanitarian or development programmes.
• Experience in strategic leadership and representation in humanitarian contexts.
• Excellent communication skills and successful relationship development with stakeholders.
• Experience in managing complex programs in challenging environments.
• Previous experience in the mine action sector or related fields is highly desirable.
• Experience working within the Middle East region is desirable.
• Ability to respond to pressure with limited supervision.

Country Director, Syria Response The starting salary package for this position is £70,924 GBP / approx. $88,166 USD, including all allowances

About MAG MAG (Mines Advisory Group) is an international humanitarian organisation based in Manchester, UK, 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 in safely managing 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 MAG is hiring for a Country Director to provide strategic leadership and representation for MAG in Syria, maintaining robust oversight of the programme to ensure quality delivery of MAG activities. Reporting to the Regional Director, you will be responsible for the effective integration of strategic, programmatic and operational management, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and MAG’s mission and mandate in order to maintain the quality, relevance, and consistency of all programme activities. You will have a wide variety of strategic responsibilities including contract management, donor liaison, people management, security management, capacity building and risk management. You will be responsible and accountable for the delivery, effective management, monitoring and evaluation and development of the programme.

About you MAG will be looking for candidates with extensive experience working internationally at a senior management level in large-scale humanitarian or development programmes. You will be an excellent communicator, having experience in successful relationship development and negotiation with a range of stakeholders including local partners, government bodies, donors, and other NGOs with diplomacy and tact. You will be solution-focused, with the creativity and aptitude to respond to pressure with limited supervision, and overall commitment to MAG’s core values and strategic direction. Previous experience in the mine action sector is highly desirable, however we welcome applications from experienced leaders with other backgrounds including the broader disarmament, protection and humanitarian fields. In addition, experience within the region is desirable.

About the Syria programme MAG has been responding to the Syria crisis since 2013, working to support the development of conflict 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. MAG’s operations are in North East Syria, where this role will be based. In addition to leading our current programme in the North East, you will also support further business development initiatives across all of Syria, based on where and how opportunities arise in the future.

Further information and how to apply For the further information on the role, the application pack and details of how to apply, please visit the MAG website at www.maginternational. org/work-for-us/vacancies by the closing date of 16th March 2025.

MAG will support the successful applicant with any visa or work permit required, including application, administration and costs, however applicants will need to be able to obtain these within a reasonable time period to be considered for the role, due to programme needs.

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 here and background checks here. You can also find more information in the candidate information pack, available 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.

Potential interview questions