Community Liaison Manager, Ukraine

Community Liaison Manager, Ukraine

The starting salary package for this position is £47,910.80 GBP including all allowances.

This is a fixed-term role for 12 months.

This is an unaccompanied post.

About MAG:

MAG (Mines Advisory Group) is an international humanitarian organisation based in Manchester, UK, and working in over 40 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 play a vital part in supporting communities living with the daily realities of explosive ordnance. As Community Liaison Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring MAG’s approach to community participation lead how communities shape and guide our mine action work, ensuring their knowledge, priorities, and concerns are central to everything we do in your area of operation. In close coordination with the Community Liaison Manager – Team Leader, you will manage and mentor Community Liaison teams, work closely with technical colleagues, and ensure high‑quality delivery of non‑technical survey and explosive ordnance risk education that directly informs safe land release and clearance.

About the Ukraine programme:

Since the Russian invasion of 24th February 2022, Ukraine has been subjected to heavy artillery bombardment, missile, and air strikes, as well as the use of landmines and cluster munitions. The scale of the conflict and the use of high impact and indiscriminate weapons requires an urgent and extensive response. MAG responded to the crisis in 2022 and now employs nearly 440 staff in our Ukraine programme, in a range of operational and support/administrative activities, with further scale-up planned during 2026. The programme has a representation office in Kyiv, and operational offices in Mykolaiv (also covering accessible areas of Kherson) and Kharkiv.

Responsibilities:

Technical

·          Provide technical guidance on non-technical survey (NTS) and explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) to CL teams.

·          Contribute to decision-making on tasking for NTS and EORE activities

·          Liaise with technical teams to facilitate CL support to clearance operations

·          Support and build the capacity of teams on analysis of evidence and decision making during the NTS process

·          Conduct QA on NTS and EORE activities within the area of operations

·          Support the development, testing, and deployment of new EORE materials and modalities

·          Provide research and analysis of relevant socio-economic data in order to help prioritise social target groups and geographical areas for EORE and land release activities.

·          Plan, prioritise and coordinate all CL activities in order to achieve maximum community participation and understanding during all stages of land release activities.

·          Conduct on-going liaison with all relevant stakeholders (government, INGOs, national NGOs, mine action centres, the military, health care providers etc.) and establish and maintain networks for information exchange.

·          Maximise productivity, project outcomes and cost benefit to the donor and beneficiaries through CL programme activities.

·          Advise on safe and effective management of all aspects of CL and related tasks in the country of operation, in accordance with relevant MAG and other Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines and ensuring that these are consistent with MAG’s policies and mandate.

·          Conduct training needs assessment in the area of CL (including EORE, NTS and impact assessment/IA activities).

·          Plan and conduct relevant training activities for national staff where required, including RE/NTS/IA, participatory learning techniques, communication skills and facilitation skills.

·          Monitor and evaluate the on-going performance of CL activities by national staff in the field.

·          As required, manage fieldwork for assessments and evaluations.

·          Assist in the design and implementation of programmes to mitigate the risk of living with explosive ordnance (including both child and adult-oriented risk education programmes)

·          Coordinate the on-going impact assessment of benefits MAG’s activities have on communities and other

·          relevant stakeholders. Where appropriate, design and apply relevant measurement tools and indicators

·          Ensure the capture of data on the outcomes and impact of MAG’s work and the communication of this data to relevant internal and external stakeholders.

·          Conduct research, develop and maintain an understanding of MAG’s CL approach and its evolution. Where required, undertake recording and documenting of CL resources (photographs, reports, EORE materials, etc.)

·          Assist and support the development of the country programme strategy, plans, proposals and budgets with regards to CL training and operations in line with MAG’s mission and mandate

·          Conduct assessments, including on-site interviews with beneficiaries, and other technical missions on behalf of MAG as required.

Reporting

·          Assist when required with proposal writing and budgeting.

·          Provide clear and accurate information and reports for donor and HQ as / when required.

·          Support the provision of case studies and oral testimonies to MAG HQ, showing the variety of experience of living with conflict and explosive ordnance.

Capacity Building

·          Train CL staff on NTS and EORE.

·          Support capacity building of CL staff on QA for NTS and EORE.

·          Build the capacity of CL staff on management, training, and other soft skills.

·          Provide direct supervision, guidance, and support to CL supervisors and team leaders as required.

·          Build and maintain effective working relationships with all national staff and local communities to support and strengthen capacity‑building objectives.

·          Support the recruitment process for national CL staff, ensuring fair and transparent selection in line with organisational standards.

We’re looking for someone with:

Essential Experience

·          Demonstrated experience working overseas in community liaison and/or educational development roles, delivering programmes that effectively engage local stakeholders.

·          Proven ability to lead, engage, and inspire a large, diverse team to work collaboratively and achieve shared objectives.

·          Experience conducting needs or risk assessments and using the findings to design and implement appropriate, targeted interventions.

·          Strong background in monitoring and evaluating development projects, ensuring quality, effectiveness, and continuous improvement.

·          Demonstrated capability in designing and delivering both formal and informal training, with a strong focus on practical learning and effective skills transfer.

·          Experience coaching, training, and developing teams to foster a high‑performing, professional working environment.

·          Experience applying participatory research techniques in operational or community‑based settings.

·          Experience working independently for extended periods in stand‑alone environments, exercising sound judgment and initiative with minimal supervision.

Essential Skills and Knowledge

·          Strong information management skills, with the ability to organise, analyse, and present data effectively.

·          Strong negotiation skills, enabling constructive engagement with a wide range of stakeholders.

·          Excellent organisational skills, with the proven ability to coordinate multiple activities and projects simultaneously.

·          Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with local authorities and individuals from military, development, and community backgrounds.

·          Excellent people‑management skills, including the ability to motivate, guide, and support teams to perform at a high standard.

·          Sound understanding of rural livelihoods and key issues within international development.

·          Proficient IT and numeracy skills, with the ability to use digital tools to support programme delivery and reporting.

·          Strong spoken and written English‑language skills.

Desirable

·          Experience in managing NTS operations

·          Experience in managing EORE operations

·          Experience delivering and/or managing NTS, EORE, and CL trainings

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 on our website.

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.

• Renumeration Package:£47,910.80 per annum including basic salary and 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 four 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 a CV and cover letter detailing your suitability for the role through the link below before the closing date of12 noon (UK Time) on 7th October 2026.

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.