Technical Field Manager Team Leader - Syria
About the role
Technical Field Manager Team Leader, Syria
The starting salary package for this position is £78,436 GBP including all allowances.
Expanding Our Syria Programme – We’re Recruiting for two Permanent Positions.
Location: These two positions will be based in the northwest and northeast of the country, operating from Hama and Raqqa, respectively, with regular travel between team locations within their assigned areas.
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 Manager Team Leader leads, oversees and safely manages mine/ERW clearance, EOD and IEDD operations within the project area, in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and consistent with MAG's policies and mandate.
The role manages Technical Field Managers (TFMs) and other technical staff, overseeing their work either as direct line manager or roaming technical specialist, and performing a quality assurance role across their output.
The Technical Field Manager – Team Leader supports the TOM in developing project strategy, plans, proposals and budgets for technical training and operations, and represents MAG within the project area.
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.
Responsibilities:
Operations
• Plan, prioritise and coordinate clearance operations within the identified project area to achieve project outputs.
• Supervise and conduct MAG field operations, including manual, and or integrated mechanical clearance assets, Battle Area Clearance (BAC), EOD and IED clearance, as relevant to the programme.
• Implement all aspects of mine, EOD and IED clearance operations and related tasks within the project, in line with SOPs and as directed by the TOM.
• Ensure full knowledge and implementation of all SOPs, drills and other work practices.
• Assist the STM to Review, develop and revise SOPs, as appropriate, for the TOM's approval.
• Conduct ongoing risk assessment to maximise the safety of operations.
• Monitor and evaluate operational tasks to ensure effectiveness.
• Conduct reconnaissance and survey of EO-contaminated areas, as appropriate.
• Maintain in-depth, up-to-date knowledge of explosive ordnance and technical equipment in the theatre of operations.
• Coordinate with Community Liaison Manager - TL and IM on the planning and delivery of technical operations, where appropriate.
• Ensure the maintenance and safe storage of project materials and equipment (including explosives and accessories).
• Perform a quality assurance role across the work of TFMs and field teams within the project, escalating non-conformities to the TOM.
• Advise and assist the TOM on new systems and procedures to improve productivity and safety.
• Conduct assessments and technical missions on behalf of MAG in-country and worldwide, as required by the TOM.
• Deputise for the TOM when required, including assuming operational management responsibility.
Capacity Building
• Assist the TOM and the Standards & Training Manager (STM) with the design, development, delivery and evaluation of appropriate training programmes for technical personnel.
• Oversee the day-to-day training and development of TFMs and national staff in mine and EOD clearance activities, in line with MAG SOPs.
• Build and maintain good working relationships with all staff to support capacity-building objectives.
• Assist the CD/TOM with the recruitment of national technical staff.
• Motivate and develop the technical team to perform to a high standard.
Management and HR
• Manage, motivate and develop TFMs and the technical team within the project to a high standard, including international staff where applicable.
• Ensure 1-1’s take place, objectives are set and appraisals take place annually to identify and address development and training needs.
• Ensure HR policies and procedures are implemented in consultation with the TOM and MAG HQ.
• Participate in the recruitment of project staff, in line with MAG's policies and procedures.
• Hold regular Ops team meetings to keep staff informed of project activities.
Communication and Reporting
• With the TOM, liaise with and represent MAG to donors, implementing partners, local officials and other agencies, to further MAG's aims and support operational efficiency.
• Keep the TOM fully briefed on technical and operational issues and any difficulties arising.
• Assist the TOM with relevant and useful information and case studies on MAG's activities.
• Submit accurate operational reports as directed by the TOM, and produce other technical reports and documents as required.
• Assist the TOM with the development and production of project proposals, reports and budgets.
• Keep staff informed of wider programme issues, developments and achievements within MAG.
• Ensure that thorough investigation reports on incidents/accidents are completed and provided to the TOM, with details of action taken, in line with MAG policies.
• Contribute to operational planning to improve project outputs.
Health, Safety and Security
• Monitor the security situation in your work location and areas of operations, keeping the TOM informed of risks and developments.
• Ensure MAG health and safety requirements are complied with in your area of operations and field accommodations (if applicable), including, ensuring duty of care to staff.
Requirements
We’re looking for someone with:
Essential Experience
• Experience of working in HMA operations in developing countries that are contaminated by remnants of conflict including humanitarian IED clearance.
• Experience of managing manual mine clearance (MMC), Battle Area Clearance (BAC), EOD and IED clearance operations.
• Experience of managing integrated clearance assets within manual and mechanical clearance operations.
• Experience of managing field operations, including through other field managers or team leaders.
• Experience of leading, motivating and managing a diverse team of people.
• Experience of mentoring and coaching others.
• Experience of managing and conducting formal or informal training and the transfer of skills to others.
• Experience of working independently for extended periods of time in stand-alone environments with minimal supervision.
• Experience in managing teams conducting Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD).
• Experience in conducting IEDD render safe procedures in a humanitarian environment.
Essential Skills and Knowledge
• Highly authoritive technical knowledge of Explosive Ordnance and clearance techniques including IED clearance, including any new developments. At a minimum this is to be at the level of supervisor in line with IMAS 09.10/01/2023
• Ability to develop, review and comply with security and technical SOPs.
• Ability to contribute technical knowledge and clearance targets to proposals and reports.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to plan and coordinate activities and projects.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good literacy, numeracy and IT skills.
Essential Qualifications
• 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 should be from a relevant and recognised military, civilian or HMA NGO.
• Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) up to Level 3+ in line with IMAS 09.31/01/2019. This should be from a relevant and recognised military, civilian or HMA NGO.
Desirable Experience, Skills, Knowledge and Aptitude
· Understanding of managing Information Management Systems (including Esri – ArcGIS, IMSMA)
· Experience in managing teams conducting mechanically assisted land release.
· Experience in managing teams conducting debris management and rubble clearance.
· Experience in managing teams conducting EOD and clearance in an urban environment.
· Knowledge of research and development of innovative HMA tools and procedures
· Knowledge and experience In Weapons and Ammunition management, including ammunition processing.
· Experience in manging Bulk Demolitions and advanced EOD techniques including render safe of Aerial Bombs, Guided Weapons and Chemical Ordnance.
· Advanced Knowledge of IT tools (Microsoft Office (advanced Excel), Outlook 365, SharePoint, Power BI)
· Knowledge and experience in foreign languages (Arabic).
Desirable Qualifications
· Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) up to Level 3+ in line with IMAS 09.31/01/2019. This should be from a relevant and recognised military, civilian or HMA NGO.
· 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 should be from a relevant and recognised military, civilian or HMA NGO.
· Ammunition Technical/Ammunition Technical Officer qualification or equivalent. This should be in line with the competencies outlined in Ammunition Technical Guidelines 1.90 up to level 6. This should be from a relevant and recognised military, civilian or HMA NGO.
· Formal Accident & Incident Investigation training. This should be from a relevant and recognised military, civilian or HMA NGO
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.
Benefits
• Renumeration Package: £78,436 per annum including basic salary and all allowances and this increases with service. (for IEDD up to Level 3+ in line with IMAS 09.31/01/2019 certified candidates a £6,200 allowance per annum will be added).
• Leave: We recognize 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.
HOW TO APPLY
Please apply by submitting an application detailing your suitability for the role through the link below before the closing date of Midday, Tuesday 24th November 2026.
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.