How to apply for Construction Manager - Caribbean

About Mines Advisory Group

MAG (Mines Advisory Group) is a humanitarian organization founded in 1989 that works to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance and to manage weapons and ammunition stockpiles. This role sits within MAG's physical security and stockpile management programme, which strengthens safe storage of weapons and ammunition across the Caribbean. Working here means contributing to risk reduction and community safety in the region.

About the role

The construction manager plans, manages, and provides technical oversight for the rehabilitation and construction of storage areas across the Caribbean. You will manage tender processes, third-party contractors, and quality delivery in line with MAG global policies and WAM Construction SOPs. The role is remote but based in the Caribbean and requires frequent regional travel.

A typical day

A typical day may involve reviewing engineering designs and bills of quantities, coordinating with third-party contractors, and conducting site visits to storage areas across the Caribbean. You would also ensure work complies with MAG global policies and WAM Construction SOPs, and report on progress to programme management. Frequent travel means days are split between remote planning and on-site oversight.

Who Mines Advisory Group is looking for

• At least five years of experience in construction activities, including managing projects, tender processes, and third-party contractors.
• A university degree or postgraduate qualification in construction, civil engineering, or equivalent.
• Substantial knowledge of developing and evaluating engineering designs, bills of quantities, and specifications.
• Experience working in the Caribbean region, and fluency in Spanish is highly desirable; experience in humanitarian safety or an NGO environment is also desirable.

Tips for this application

• Confirm you meet the citizenship requirement: you must be a citizen of a CARICOM Member State or the Dominican Republic and based within the region.
• In your CV, list specific construction projects you have managed in the Caribbean, including contract values, contractor management, and tender processes.
• If you speak Spanish, state your proficiency level clearly, as it is highly desirable for this role.
• Reference MAG's WAM Construction SOPs and MAG global policies in your application to show you understand the framework you would work within.
• Address the fixed-term nature of the role (until 31 March 2028, with possible renewal) and confirm your availability for frequent travel across the Caribbean.

What to cover in your cover letter

Highlight your experience managing construction projects, tender processes, and third-party contractors. Explain your familiarity with the Caribbean region and any Spanish language skills. Mention any prior work in humanitarian safety or an NGO setting. Show that you understand the role involves rehabilitation and construction of storage areas under MAG policies and WAM Construction SOPs.

Research before applying

• Read about MAG's physical security and stockpile management (PSSM) programmes, especially any work in the Caribbean.
• Look up WAM Construction SOPs and what they cover in weapons and ammunition management construction.
• Research the CARICOM Member States and the Dominican Republic to understand the regional context and travel requirements.
• Find out more about MAG's history since 1989 and its current donor-funded projects to understand the funding environment.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How you have managed tender processes and third-party contractors to ensure quality delivery.
• Your experience developing and evaluating engineering designs, bills of quantities, and specifications.
• Your knowledge of construction practices and regulations in the Caribbean region.
• How you would apply MAG global policies and WAM Construction SOPs to storage area rehabilitation and construction.
• Your ability to travel frequently across the Caribbean and work remotely while coordinating with a regional team.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without confirming you are a citizen of a CARICOM Member State or the Dominican Republic, as this is a hard requirement.
• Failing to provide concrete examples of managing construction projects, tenders, and contractors in the Caribbean.
• Ignoring the fixed-term nature of the role or not addressing willingness to travel frequently across the region.