Technical Field Manager

Technical Field Manager, Ukraine

The starting salary package for this position is £77,056.40 GBP including all allowances.

This is a fixed-term role for 12 months.

This is an unaccompanied post.

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:

Reporting to the Technical Field Manager Team leader and under the direction of the Technical Operations Manager (TOM), you will be responsible for implementing and overseeing mine clearance, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and other technical operations in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures. You will train, assess, and monitor operational staff to ensure safe working practices, maintain operational standards, and strengthen local humanitarian mine action capacity. You will also support the safe, effective, and efficient delivery of all MAG technical activities within the country of operation. Capacity building and people management is a core area of this role. Roles are in complex contexts, but the life-saving impact the work has on local communities is very real, and rewarding.

About the Ukraine programme:

Since the Russian invasion of 24th February 2022, Ukraine has been subjected to heavy artillery bombardment, missile, and air strikes, as well as the use of landmines and cluster munitions. The scale of the conflict and the use of high impact and indiscriminate weapons requires an urgent and extensive response. MAG responded to the crisis in 2022 and now employs nearly 440 staff in our Ukraine programme, in a range of operational and support/administrative activities, with further scale-up planned during 2026. The programme has a representation office in Kyiv, and operational offices in Mykolaiv (also covering accessible areas of Kherson) and Kharkiv.

Responsibilities:

Operations

• Conduct and supervise field operations of MAG HMA operations, including integrated (ADS and or mechanical) mine clearance and EOD operations.

• Co-ordinate with Community Liaison Advisors in the day-to-day planning and implementation of operations.

• Ensure full knowledge of and ensure implementation of all Standard Operating Procedures, drills and other work practices.

• Continually conduct risk assessment operations to ensure that the safety of operations is optimal.

• Conduct monitoring and evaluation of all operational tasks to ensure effectiveness.

• Conduct reconnaissance and survey of mine/explosive ordnance contaminated areas as directed by the TOM and / or TFM TL.

• Ensure an in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of all Explosive Ordnance in the theatre of operations.

• Ensure an in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of all relevant technical equipment in the theatre of operations.

• Ensure that all staff under your line management are aware of, understand, and adhere to all programme SOPs, at all times.

• Support the TOM and / or TFM TL to ensure the maintenance, safe and appropriate storage of all necessary technical materials and equipment (including explosives and accessories).

• Advise and assist the TOM and / or TFM TL with the implementation of new systems and procedures in relation to optimizing safety, efficiency and effectiveness.

• Conduct assessments and other technical missions on behalf of MAG in country and worldwide as required by the CD and Regional Programmes Manager.

Capacity Building and Team Management

• Assist the TOM and Standards & Training Manager (STM) with the design, development, delivery and evaluation of appropriate training programmes for deminers and other technical personnel.

• Support the TOM, TFM-TL and STM in the day-to-day training and development of national staff to conduct technical HMA activities (clearance and disposal) according to MAG Standard Operating Procedures.

• Support with the recruitment of national technical staff.

• Motivate and develop the team to perform to a high standard.

• Build and maintain good working relationships with all national staff to optimise capacity building objectives.

Communication and Reporting

• Ensure that the TOM and / or TFM TL is fully briefed on all technical and operational issues and any technical difficulties arising.

• Assist the TOM and / or TFM TL in providing relevant and useful information and case studies to the programmes team.

• Submit accurate operational reports as directed by the TOM and / or TFM TL and produce other technical reports and documents as and when required.

• Ensure good understanding of all aspects of the programme/project. Ensure staff are made aware of wider programme issues, developments and achievements within MAG.

• Ensure that accurate and thorough reports following investigation into all incidents/accidents are completed and provided to TOM or TFM TL with details of appropriate action taken, in accordance with MAG policies and procedures.

• Contribute to internal discussion and planning designed to improve MAG’s performance, results and impact in Humanitarian mine action.

• Liaise with and represent MAG to donors, implementing partners, local officials and other agencies to further MAG’s aims and ensure operational efficiency , as directed by the TOM.

Health, Safety and Security

• Monitor security situation in work location and areas of operations ensuring that the TOM and / or TFM TL is kept informed of security 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.