Country Director, Iraq
The starting salary package for this position is £74,124 GBP / approx. $100,435 USD including all allowances.
About the role:
MAG is hiring for a Country Director to provide strategic leadership and representation for MAG in Iraq, maintaining robust oversight of the programme to ensure quality delivery of MAG activities. Reporting to the Regional Director, you will be responsible for the effective integration of strategic, programmatic and operational management, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and MAG’s mission and mandate in order to maintain the quality, relevance, and consistency of all programme activities. You will have a wide variety of strategic responsibilities including contract management, donor liaison, people management, security management, capacity building and risk management. You will be responsible and accountable for the delivery, effective management, monitoring and evaluation and development of the programme.
This position is based in Erbil, with travel to MAG’s operational bases as and when required.
About you:
MAG will be looking for candidates with extensive experience working internationally at a senior management level in large-scale humanitarian or development programmes. You will have previously worked within the Middle East Region. You’ll demonstrate experience of ensuring effective financial management across multiple grants and have an understanding of relevant institutional donors.
You will be an excellent communicator, having experience in successful relationship development, negotiation and representation with a range of stakeholders including local partners, government bodies, donors, and other NGOs with diplomacy and tact. You will be solution-focused, with the creativity and aptitude to respond to pressure with limited supervision, and overall commitment to MAG’s core values and strategic direction. Arabic language skills would be beneficial.
Previous experience in the mine action sector is highly desirable, however we welcome applications from experienced leaders with other backgrounds including the broader disarmament, protection and humanitarian fields.
About the Iraq programme:
Following decades of conflict, Iraq is heavily contaminated with landmines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO). MAG has been working in Iraq since 1992 with our Head Office in Erbil and operational bases across northern Iraq. By clearing hazardous areas, MAG has enabled new schools, roads, and hospitals to be built, opened up vital trade routes and allowed communities to use their farming land in safety, giving them greater food security and an escape from poverty.
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:
- Salary: £74,124 per annum including all allowances and this increases with service.
- Accommodation: MAG will provide accommodation in-country.
- Leave: We recognise our staff work hard and need the appropriate time out to stay motivated. You'll have a minimum of eight weeks out of the programme per year.
- Flights: MAG provides three international flights home per year
- Insurance: 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.
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.
How to apply
For further information and the application form, please download the candidate information pack:
MAG – Country Director MAG Iraq - Application Pack
Application is by submission of the following documents to humanresources@maginternational.org by the closing date of 2ndJuly 2025:
1. Up-to-date CV
2. Cover letter, setting out why you believe you are suitable for this position, and how you feel you align to MAG Values.
3. Completed Candidate Profile Form
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 applying, it means that your application has not been successful.
