Country Director - Burkina Faso

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 Burkina Faso programme:

MAG established its Burkina Faso programme in June 2015 as part of a wider West Africa strategy to improve arms and ammunition control and reduce threats to human security and regional stability. Working in partnership with the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (CNLPAL/CNCA), MAG supports the implementation of the National Action Plan and relevant regional and international frameworks to curb the proliferation and trafficking of illicit weapons.

Burkina Faso faces significant challenges, including inadequate storage facilities, inconsistent weapons management procedures, and limited trained personnel. MAG addresses these issues through infrastructure development, technical training, and capacity building in weapons and ammunition management.  Since 2015, MAG’s work has expanded from physical security and stockpile management (PSSM) to a broader range of small arms and light weapons (SALW) interventions. These include building armouries and ammunition depots, training personnel, weapons marking and destruction, and supporting the development of national action plans. In addition, MAG delivers community-based risk education, helping people live more safely with the threat of small arms and explosive hazards, while also promoting armed violence reduction and gender mainstreaming in arms control.

About the role

To provide strategic leadership and representation for MAG in-country, with overall accountability to MAG UK for the delivery, effective management, monitoring, and evaluation of the country programme. The role ensures robust oversight and the integration of strategic, programmatic, and operational management to maintain the relevance, quality, and consistency of MAG’s activities.

Due to the requirements of the local legal context in Burkina Faso, it is essential that the post-holder be a Burkinabè passport holder. 

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of appropriate policies and procedures to enable the effective design, delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of programme activities.
• Lead the programme Senior Management Team in the development of annual business plans and oversee delivery and progress against agreed objectives.
• Contribute as a member of MAG’s Global Leadership Team (GLT), upholding organisational standards and values, and supporting the effective and efficient delivery of MAG’s global strategy.

 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.
• Oversee all registration and accreditation requirements, ensuring full compliance with relevant legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting NGOs and ensure timely communication of relevant updates to the Regional Director, and appropriate regional and HQ colleagues.
• Ensure all programme activities are delivered in compliance with statutory requirements, donor and client obligations, and contracted agreements.
• Ensure activities are implemented in line with donor requirements and in accordance with MAG, donor, country, and international standards, rules, and regulations.
• Maintain corporate oversight of all contracted activities, including the provision of high‑quality progress and performance reports to key stakeholders, incorporating variance analysis and corrective actions where required.
• Oversee contractual relationships with sub‑contractors and partners, ensuring delivery in accordance with Head Contracts and agreed terms.

 Donor Liaison and Business Development

• Build and maintain effective relationships and networks with key stakeholders, including local and regional authorities, donors, partners, commercial actors, and mine action and disarmament operators.
• Proactively identify and pursue business development opportunities to maximise MAG’s impact in‑country and support the programme’s continuity and long‑term sustainability.
• Oversee the development of all proposals and the production of operational and financial reports for the country programme, working closely with senior field managers and regional and HQ colleagues.

 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.
• Lead security context analysis, risk assessment, and the development, implementation, and enforcement of security standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Lead the Incident Management Team and ensure appropriate response, reporting, and follow‑up.

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.
• Ensure strong internal controls, transparency, and the efficient and effective use of resources.
• Approve key financial decisions and represent the organisation in financial matters with donors and relevant authorities.
• Build, manage, and motivate a diverse, multidisciplinary team to enable effective delivery of MAG’s objectives within the country programme
• Ensure HR policies and procedures are consistently applied to promote high performance and adherence to MAG’s standards and values.
• Line manage and foster positive and productive working relationships across the senior management and wider country team, ensuring close collaboration and effective integration of strategic and operational activities.
• Provide strong leadership, advice, and support to the country team, promoting a positive, inclusive, and high‑performing organisational culture.