Country Director Western Balkans

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,

About the programme:

After ten years as a mine action programme in Bosnia i Herzegovina MAG is re-establishing its presence to deliver a sub-regional weapons and ammunition project. Based in Sarajevo the project will work with agreed security and defence forces in three countries to reduce the risk of de-stabilisation to populations through increased safety and security of state-controlled weapons. The role will lead engagement with regional stakeholders, national authorities and donors to deliver the programme and seek to further expand WAM opportunities. Alongside the WAM Technical Lead there will be a very small team of national staff to achieve these aims. 

Job Purpose:  

You will provide strategic leadership and serve as MAG’s primary representative in the Western Balkans, ensuring strong oversight and the effective delivery of high-quality programme activities. You will be accountable to MAG HQ for the re-establishment, implementation, and management of the Western Balkans programme, including robust monitoring and evaluation. This role requires the effective integration of strategic, programmatic, and operational functions to ensure that all activities remain relevant, consistent, and aligned with MAG’s standards of quality and impact.

Job Description:

 Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of appropriate policies and procedures to enable the effective design, delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of programme activities.

 Contract Management

• Ensure robust financial policies and procedures are in place to support effective financial management of the programme.
• Maintain strategic oversight and control of the programme budget, ensuring the efficient use of MAG resources and maximising contractual and financial returns.
• Oversee all fiscal activities to ensure donor compliance, value for money, and appropriate expenditure in line with MAG policies and practices.
• Support the planning, development, and overall management of project budgets in collaboration with senior field managers and MAG UK HQ and regional colleagues.

 Compliance and Risk

• Maintain a proactive approach to risk management, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, statutory legislation, best practice, and MAG policies to minimise liability and maximise programme effectiveness. 

Representation

• Represent MAG effectively with donors, national and local authorities as required, partners, and other key stakeholders at country and regional level, ensuring clear understanding and support for MAG’s mission, values, and project objectives.
• Strengthen the organisation’s positioning, visibility, and engagement with government entities, defence and security forces, key stakeholders, and the NGO community as appropriate.

 Donor Liaison and Business Development

• Build and maintain effective relationships and networks with key stakeholders including local and regional authorities, donors, partners.

 Security & Asset Management

• Maintain oversight of programme health, safety and security plans, policies, and controls to ensure the safety and security of MAG staff, assets, and resources.

Financial, Administrative Management and Oversight

• Ensure compliance with all administrative and legal requirements in relation to national authorities.
• Provide overall financial leadership and accountability for the country programme.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, national regulations, and internal policies and procedures.
• Lead country budget development, financial planning, and sustainability planning
• Oversee financial performance, including budget monitoring, forecasting, and financial risk management.

Human Resources

• Build, manage and lead a multidisciplinary team that enables MAG’s objectives to be carried out effectively in the country programme.
• Provide strong leadership, advice, and support to the country team, promoting a positive, inclusive, and high‑performing organisational culture.

Essential Experience

• Substantial experience working internationally in a senior management capacity in complex operating environments.
• Proven experience of strategically managing and directing large‑scale projects, including implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation, risk assessment and mitigation, and contract compliance.
• Strong people management experience, with a proven ability to develop, lead and manage multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, often in remote or complex operating environments.
• Proven expertise in new business development, including programme design and development, networking, and contract negotiation.
• Demonstrated experience of developing effective relationships and negotiating with donors, government bodies, and local partners.
• Experience of managing financial, administrative, and human resource systems to ensure effective and efficient programme delivery.
• Demonstrated experience of promoting and driving forward change in relation to gender, equity, and diversity across teams. 

Essential Skills and Knowledge

• Demonstrable understanding of the contextual, political, and operational factors relevant for Western Balkans region, gained through relevant professional experience and/or broader strategic knowledge.
• Strong financial management skills, including demonstrated experience of overseeing robust financial management across a multi‑grant portfolio and maintaining effective budgetary oversight.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and sustain effective working relationships at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Excellent written communication skills, with proven ability to develop strategies, proposals, business plans, budgets, and high‑quality reports.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of relevant institutional donors, including the EU, UN agencies, and government donors.
• Strong representation, communication, and negotiation skills, including experience engaging with senior stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and coordinate multiple activities simultaneously.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

• Renumeration Package: £60,728 per annum including basic salary and all allowances. 

• Accommodation: MAG will provide accommodation in-country.  

• Leave: We recognize our staff work hard and need the appropriate time out to stay motivated. You'll have a minimum of six weeks out of the programme per year. 

• Flights: MAG provides three 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. 

This is a 12 month fixed term contract, this role is being advertised subject to funding.

HOW TO APPLY 

Please apply by submitting a CV and cover letter detailing your suitability for the role through the link below before the closing date of Midday (GMT) - 24th September 2026. 

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 visit our website www.maginternational.org.

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.