MAG (Mines Advisory Group) is an international humanitarian organisation based in Manchester, UK, working in 32 countries to remove landmines and unexploded ordnance and to reduce the threat of armed violence. This is an 18-month fixed-term, unaccompanied post in Damascus, Syria, with a salary package of £87,628 including all allowances.
Reporting to the Country Director with a technical line to the Technical Director, the Senior Technical Advisor leads MAG's capacity development partnership with Syria Civil Defence. The role provides senior technical advice at institutional level and builds nationally owned capacity to plan, manage and deliver explosive ordnance response and risk education safely and to standard.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead the technical relationship and capacity development partnership with Civil Defence, agreeing institutional priorities and a sequenced capacity development plan.
- Oversee the development of systems for safe and effective delivery, including training, SOPs, quality management, accreditation and operational information management, aligned with National Mine Action Standards, IMAS and MAG Global Technical Standards.
- Line manage the Technical Field Managers, Community Liaison Manager and National Technical Coordinator, and ensure embedded staff mentor and coach rather than substitute for Civil Defence personnel.
- Provide strategic and technical oversight of community liaison and explosive ordnance risk education capacity.
- Support the Country Director with strategy, proposals and budgets, manage donor contractual and reporting obligations, and represent MAG with Civil Defence, SNMAC, ministries, UNMAS, GICHD and donors.
- Manage technical safety, risk, incident reporting and quality.
Requirements: Senior experience leading humanitarian mine action operations in conflict-affected contexts; experience designing and leading capacity development or localisation programmes; experience developing SOPs, training and quality management; team leadership and mentoring; donor-funded programme management; strong technical knowledge of explosive ordnance, EOD and clearance; excellent English; Explosive Ordnance Qualification to IMAS Level 3 (IMAS 09.30/01/2022). Desirable: Syria or Middle East mine action experience, NMAS development, IMSMA, urban clearance, Arabic.
Benefits include accommodation in-country, a minimum of eight weeks out of the programme per year, four international flights home per year, and comprehensive insurance. The post is subject to safeguarding background checks. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Please apply by submitting an application detailing your suitability for the role through the link below before the closing date of Midday, Thursday 15th October 2026.
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply by submitting an application detailing your suitability for the role through the Workable link before the closing date of midday, Thursday 15th October 2026. MAG will support the successful applicant with any visa or work permit required.
https://apply.workable.com/mag-international/j/908856C031/apply/