This role will be based in Syria, with travel within the region and to Sudan as required
Fixed Term 6 months
The starting salary package for this position is £89,156 GBP / approx. $119,800 USD including all allowances.
About the role:
You will provide high-level technical leadership, operational guidance, and stakeholder engagement to support and enable operational planning and scale-up. Based primarily in Syria, you will support the scale-up of operations for newly liberated areas, including concept of operations, mobilisation, and key stakeholder engagement. You will also support our Lebanon programme to refine operational models and respond to new contamination, and potentially also provide surge support to our Sudan programme as we initiate and mobilise our life-saving work in new areas. You will support planning with regards to our work and engagement in Gaza. You will represent us to a wide range of stakeholders to ensure our technical credibility and operational effectiveness.
About you:
You will be an experienced Humanitarian Mine Action operator with significant experience in the Middle East region including leading on operational scale-ups. You will be IMAS EOD 3 qualified with proven experience in training, mobilisation, and capacity development. You will be a strong communicator, able to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders including local, national, and international partners and authorities. You should be strategic, with experience of operational design, assessment, and technical planning. Previous experience in Syria, Lebanon, and Sudan would be advantageous. Areas of operations are often remote with basic amenities, so applicants will need to be able to deal with living and working in challenging environments.
Purpose of the Assignment
The Technical Advisor will:
• Provide technical and strategic support to the operational scale-up in Syria, including concept of operations,
mobilisation, recruitment, training, and stakeholder engagement.
• Provide technical and strategic support to MAG Lebanon, especially in refining operational models,
responding to new contamination, and contributing to MAG’s strategy in-country.
• Potentially provide surge technical support to Sudan as MAG initiates a new programme, including
assessments, concept of operations, mobilisation, and stakeholder engagement.
• Represent MAG to a wide range of stakeholders (national authorities, UNMAS, AOR structures, partners,
and local communities), ensuring MAG’s technical credibility and operational effectiveness.
• Support planning for Gaza operations and engagement with relevant stakeholders
Represent MAG to a wide range of stakeholders (national authorities, UNMAS, AOR structures, partners, and local communities), ensuring MAG’s technical credibility and operational effectiveness.
Scope of Work
A. Syria
Operational Scale-Up:
• Work with the programme on the development and delivery of a Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for
newly liberated areas.
• Design and oversee mobilisation plans, including recruitment and training of international and national
staff.
• Support the establishment of safe, effective, and compliant operational systems and SOPs.
Training & Capacity Development:
• Develop staff capacity for progressive responsibility within operations.
Assessments & Planning:
• Conduct technical and operational assessments of new areas.
• Provide recommendations on priorities, modalities, and resource needs.
Stakeholder Engagement:
• Build relationships with national partners, local communities, UNMAS, Mine Action Area of Responsibilities
(AOR), and the National Mine Action Centre.
• Support coordination mechanisms, ensuring MAG’s inputs reflect operational realities.
B. Lebanon
Operational Review & Strategy:
• Support MAG Lebanon in reviewing and adapting the newly changed operational model.
• Analyse new contamination and ensure operational responses remain fit-for-purpose.
• Contribute to defining MAG’s medium-term operational strategy, aligned with national priorities.
Support to Authorities:
• Provide advocacy and technical support to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Lebanese Mine Action
Centre (LMAC).
• Advise on resource needs, standards compliance, and capacity-building opportunities.
C. Sudan
Operational Establishment:
• Support MAG’s initial entry into Sudan as the organisation establishes a new programme following the conflict.
• Conduct technical and operational assessments to inform programme design and start-up planning.
• Develop and oversee the CONOPS for safe and effective launch.
Recruitment & Training:
• Support the recruitment, mobilisation, and induction of technical and operational staff.
• Develop and assist in delivery of training to build national and international staff capacity.
Stakeholder Engagement:
• Build relationships with national authorities, UN coordination mechanisms, and local partners.
• Ensure MAG’s operational approach aligns with international standards and national frameworks.
Sustainability & Risk Management:
• Identify long-term capacity-building opportunities for national counterparts.
• Establish systems for operational risk management, safety, and quality assurance during early
implementation.
D. Gaza
• Support planning for Gaza operations and engagement with relevant stakeholders
Potential Deliverables
• Syria
o Approved CONOPS for newly liberated areas.
o Mobilisation plan, including recruitment and training framework. o Assessment reports with operational recommendations.
• Lebanon
o Report reviewing the new operational model with recommendations for refinement.
o Strategy note defining MAG’s operational direction in Lebanon (with advocacy priorities).
o Briefing notes for engagement with LAF, LMAC, and UNMAS.
• Sudan
o Draft Concept of Operations for MAG’s entry into Sudan, adapted to the security, access, and political context.
o Mobilisation & Staffing Plan covering recruitment, training framework, and phased build-up of operational capacity.
o Stakeholder Engagement Note mapping and documenting relationships with national authorities, UN coordination mechanisms, and key local actors.
o Capacity Development Plan for national staff and partners, aligned with IMAS and anticipated national legislation/standards.
Reporting Line
• Reports to: Programmes Quality Director
• Works in close coordination with: Programme Quality Team (PQT), Regional Directors, Head of Mission,
Country Directors (Syria & Lebanon), Technical Operations Managers
Duration & Location
• Duration: Six Months Initially
• Location: Primarily based in Syria, but visits to Lebanon, Sudan and in support of Gaza as required
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
• IMAS EOD 3
• Extensive operational experience in Humanitarian Mine Action, including leading operational scale-ups.
• Proven experience in concept of operations design, assessments, and technical planning.
• Strong background in training and staff mobilisation (international and national staff).
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders (national authorities, UN, local
partners, communities).
Desirable
• EOD 3+
• Previous experience in Syria, Lebanon and Sudan, with knowledge of the regional political/security context.
• Experience in advocacy and operational strategy development.
Competencies
• Strategic and operational planning.
• Training and capacity development.
• Stakeholder engagement and diplomacy.
• Strong communication and report-writing skills.
• Adaptability in complex and insecure environments.
About the Syria programme:
MAG has been responding to the Syria crisis since 2013, 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, you will also support the safe expansion of initiatives across all of Syria, based on where and how opportunities arise in the future.
Benefits and further information:
MAG staff are rewarded with comprehensive benefits – you can read the candidate information sheet in the application pack for further details:
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 through the link below.
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 encouraged to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
For further information and the application form, please download the candidate information pack:
MAG – Technical Advisor Operational Scale Up – Application Pack
Application is by submission of the following documents to humanresources@maginternational.org by the closing date of Thursday 20th November 2025:
1. Up-to-date CV
2. Completed Candidate Profile Form
Application is by submission of the following documents to humanresources@maginternational.org by the closing date of Thursday 20th November 2025.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are not able to respond to every application. If you have not heard back from us within 3 weeks of the application closing date, it means that your application has not been successful.
