Weapons & Ammunition Management Technical Lead, Western Balkans
WAM Technical Lead, Western Balkans
This is a Fixed Term role for 12 months.
The starting salary package for this position is £77,936 GBP including all allowances.
This is an unaccompanied post.
Location: Bosnia Herzegovina with travel across the region.
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:
In this role, you will be responsible for implementing all aspects of Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) operations and related activities within the Western Balkans region, in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and as directed by the Country Director (CD)
Key responsibilities will include conducting joint assessments with national authorities and coordinating and providing technical oversight of WAM projects. These projects may involve weapons and ammunition destruction, the design, delivery, and quality assurance of Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) training, the development and implementation of operational SOPs, and providing guidance to the Construction Manager on the rehabilitation or construction of storage and related facilities.
The post holder will also support the CD in ensuring the safe and effective delivery of all MAG technical activities across countries of operation.
About the Western Balkans 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.
Responsibilities:
- WAM Technical Leadership & Operations
- Lead SALW and PSSM technical assessments and supervise field operations across MAG WAM programmes.
- Act as the principal technical lead for the safe and secure management of weapons and ammunition.
- Manage technical tasking for WAM contracts, including assessments, rehabilitation, and construction of ammunition storage facilities.
- IATG & Technical Standards
- Apply the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG) and implement appropriate Risk Reduction Process levels—basic, intermediate, or advanced—according to national capacity and operational context.
- Provide technical advice to national authorities and conduct technical missions across the Caribbean region.
- Training & Capacity Development
- Deliver PSSM ammunition stockpile management training in accordance with IATG and UN SaferGuard standards.
- Deliver SALW management training in accordance with MOSAIC.
- Oversee regional coaching and mentoring programmes to strengthen national capabilities.
- Technical Team Management
- Support recruitment and management of technical staff, consultants, and contractors.
- Motivate, mentor, and develop the technical team to maintain high professional and operational standards.
- Build effective working relationships with national personnel and external technical partners.
- Reporting, Monitoring & Incident Management
- Provide the Country Director (CD) with regular updates on WAM operations, technical challenges, security concerns, and programme progress.
- Prepare accurate weekly/monthly reports and technical documentation.
- Lead or support thorough investigation and reporting of WAM-related incidents and accidents, including recommendations for corrective action.
- Stakeholder Coordination & Representation
- Liaise with and represent MAG to government authorities, donors, implementing partners, local officials, and other agencies.
- Contribute technical information, case studies, planning, and lessons learned to improve MAG's WAM performance and impact.
- Participate actively in the MAG WAM Community of Practice.
- Safety, Security & Senior Management Support
- Monitor the security situation in operational areas and ensure the CD is informed of relevant risks and developments.
- Ensure WAM activities comply with MAG health, safety, security, and operational procedures.
- Deputise for the Country Director when required, providing leadership and decision-making support.
Essential Experience
- Experience in Physical Security and Stockpile Management work, conducting and planning inspections and licensing/compliance on behalf of a National Technical Authority.
- Experience of conducting formal and/or informal training at an Internationally recognized training establishment and the transfer of appropriate skills to others.
- Experience of managing WAM Operations across multiple countries.
- Experience of leading, motivating and managing a diverse team of people.
- Experience of mentoring and coaching others.
- Experience of conducting formal or informal training and the transfer of appropriate skills to others.
- Experience of working independently for extended periods of time, in 'stand-alone' environments with minimal supervision.
Essential Skills and Knowledge
- Minimum EOD3+ and/or CBRN and/or IEDD and/or large-scale logistic disposal.
- Training, experience and knowledge of a wide range of Land, Air and Navy Services Ordnance.
- Technical knowledge of WAM type activities and operations.
- Ability to develop, review and comply with security and technical Standard Operating Procedures.
- The ability to contribute technical knowledge and clearance targets to proposals and reports.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to plan and coordinate activities and projects.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Good literacy, numeracy and IT skills, specifically word and Excel.
- Fluency in English.
Qualifications
- EOD 3+ Qualification.
- AT/ATO Qualification Desirable.
- Relevant and recognised WAM qualification to fulfil organisational needs or suitable practical experience.
• Renumeration Package: £77,936 per annum including basic salary and all allowances and this increases with service.
• 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.
HOW TO APPLY
Please apply by submitting an application detailing your suitability for the role through the link below before the closing date of Friday 25th September 2026 Midday.
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.
We are happy to provide more details about the role. Please email us at [email protected] for more details if required.
