Mines Advisory Group
Country Director, Azerbaijan (8-month fixed term contract until March 2024). Start date no later than July 2023. The starting salary package for this position is £54,824 GBP per annum (approx. $68,458 USD) including all allowances
About MAG:
MAG saves lives and builds futures by working with others to reclaim land contaminated with the debris of conflict, to reduce the daily risk of death or injury for civilians, and to create safe and secure conditions for development. MAG shared the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize as a founding member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines for our work to ban landmines. Our vision is a safe and secure future for men, women and children affected by armed violence and conflict.
About the Azerbaijan programme:
In December 2021, MAG will establish a start-up project in Azerbaijan funded by the US State Department’s Office for Weapons Removal and Abatement (WRA) and the Canadian government’s Peace and Stabilisation Operations Program. The widespread use of landmines and UXO during the recent fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia, in November 2020, have created a renewed and urgent need to improve the country’s humanitarian mine action response.
This project will see MAG work to improve the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action’s (ANAMA) ability to deliver an expanded and high-quality humanitarian mine action programme to address the new and legacy contamination, and in turn make affected regions safer for vulnerable communities and internally displaced people. MAG will train ANAMA supervisors in effective team management, as well as delivering a comprehensive review and upgrade of their Standard Operating Procedures.
Crucially, MAG will also work to strengthen relationships with ANAMA, embassies and other implementers in this initial 12-month period, as it looks towards future work in the country.
About the role:
MAG is looking for a Country Director to provide strategic leadership and representation for MAG in Azerbaijan and maintain robust oversight of the programme to ensure quality delivery of MAG’s activities., deliver the existing project and also create resource mobilisation opportunities with the national authorities and donors to build a long term mine action programme.
Reporting to the Regional Director, you will be responsible for the effective integration of strategic, programmatic and operational management, in compliance with contractual obligations and MAG’s mission and mandate. You will have a wide variety of strategic responsibilities including contract management, donor liaison, people management, security management, capacity building and risk management. This senior role will provide you with the opportunity to use your people management skills, leading a small team of international and national staff. You will also have the opportunity to use your skills in stakeholder management, to take a leading role in donor development, and working with a range of national and international actors.
About you:
The Country Director will need to be a self-starter with demonstrable experience of new project development, able to work extremely closely with the national authorities as well as networking with potential donors to further develop and extend MAG’s programme of work. As well as demonstrable skills in people, project and financial management, you will need previous experience working overseas in senior management roles and managing and leading projects and/or programmes, from project design through to contract delivery. Previous experience at a management level in the mine action sector or working within the region would be highly desirable*.* You will have demonstrable experience of working in complex political environments that require tact, sensitivity and relationship-building skills. You will need to have high level planning, organisational and diplomatic skills to negotiate with various political and military stakeholders. You will also have fluency in English, and the ability to network with potential donors to further develop and extend MAG’s programme of work. Evidenced experience of project start-up, demonstrating ability to problem solve in a new working environment where there are no existing programme structures is highly desirable.
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, please click here. You can also find more information in the candidate information pack, available on the MAG website, using 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
How to apply
For the further information on the role, the application form and details of how to apply, please visit, the MAG website at www.maginternational.org/vacancies-at-MAGby the closing date of 9th June 2023.