Mines Advisory Group in Cambodia

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Archie was appointed as the Mines Advisory Group’s (MAG) Country Director for Cambodia in 1998 where he served until 2002. He headed up the 500-person strong MAG Cambodia mine clearance operation which cleared mines and returned land to communities in some of the most heavily mined areas in the world.

OBJECTIVES

Archie was tasked with developing the first country strategy, promoting national ownership of the programme, and increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of mine clearance operations in Cambodia.

OUTCOMES

  • Archie led the development of the first country strategy for MAG with the Leadership Team. He identified and secured funding to expand into two new provinces in support of this strategy.
  • The use of machinery to support mine clearance operations was introduced under Archie's leadership. Armoured brush cutters were deployed to clear mine fields of scrub to enable the deminers to demine more effectively. This innovation led to a 100% increase in productivity.
  • Archie demonstrated a unique commitment to enabling MAG's Khmer Staff to lead mine action operations in their country. He recruited women and landmine survivors as deminers and appointed the first woman demining supervisor in Cambodia.
  • A leadership programme for approximately 30 MAG Cambodia leaders was established by Archie, in partnership with the Cambodian Leadership Institute, VBNK. The programme ran for six months and involved formal and on the job training, peer support and a mentoring programme.
Mines Advisory Group in Cambodia

Under Archie’s leadership international staff were phased out and Khmer Staff appointed to senior leadership roles. To support this shift, he worked with a local training provider to create and implement an 18-month leadership development program for senior and middle management staff which included a mentoring program to support emerging leaders.