Base Manager At Danish Refugee Council

Background

DRC has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. Using a human rights framework, the DRC Somalia operations focuses mainly on people who are affected by displacement, including refugees, internally displaced, and migrant.

Danish Demining Group (DDG) is a specialized unit within DRC which implements mine action and armed violence reduction (AVR) programmes. DDG’s mandate is ‘to create a safe environment free from armed violence and the remnants of conflict’, and DDG does this via a programmatic focus on four key sectors: Security Systems Reform, Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) management, Mine Action and Conflict Management.

Overall Purpose of the role:

The Base Manager will be responsible for the overall management of the DRC intervention in Hargeisa including the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the projects in Hargeisa and surrounding locations. This position will be responsible for representation of DRC in the area, building and maintaining DRC’s reputation through ensuring quality delivery of programmes and accountability to our beneficiaries, partners, donors and local authorities. The Base Manager must ensure they are efficient, transparent and ensure value for money for DRC and the donors.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Development

• In consultation with the CD and technical managers, lead the strategic development of the field office and ensure that DRC remains relevant to the needs of the beneficiaries in the area.
• Ensure DRC projects in Hargeisa and surrounding locations remain aligned to the country strategic direction.
• Through coordination with the CD, represent DRC at all relevant forums in Hargeisa and liaise with local authorities and local stakeholders.
• Ensure that the reputation of DRC in the area remains high and issues of concern are raised with the SMT.
• Positively contribute to the teambuilding efforts and ensure that effective coordination exists between programmes and support teams at the location.
• In close collaboration and consultations with the sector heads, ensure programme/support strategies and delivery are up to date and well-resourced.

Program and Project Management.

• Supervise effective, efficient and timely implementation of the projects as per contracts, budgets and donor’s requirement.
• Provide clear and coherent guidance to DRC’s sectoral emergency and longer team projects in the area.
• In consultation with the CD/HOP, prepare project work plans in accordance with annual planning and funding cycles with support from the technical managers and the heads of programs.
• In close consultation with the MEAL Manager, ensure that relevant beneficiary data is collected, compiled, analysed and distributed and that relevant assessments are conducted in the project area.
• Monitor budgets in the coordination with programme leads to ensure there is no overspending or underspending and flag any issues with CD/TM in a timely manner.
• Assist in implementation of DRC’s M&E plans for the projects and ensure complaint handling mechanisms are in place for all projects and promote accountability concepts.
• Oversee preparation of program portfolios under your custody for presentation at weekly country meetings and identify opportunities for new projects in coordination with country programme teams.
• Ensure that DRC programme policies as enshrined in the programme handbook and other programme manuals are followed.
• Manage all project sector heads and ensure all programme leads have clear work plans in place and are following

Support Management.

• Manage DRC staff resources in your location and coordinate with technical sector managers/coordinators/specialists as it may be required.
• Ensure that the activities of support teams are carried out in compliance to DRC policies, procedures and operation handbooks.
• Ensure all key staff functions (programme and support) are adequately staffed, including minimum yearly requirements for both programme and support staff and budgets are available for effective, management of area/field offices.
• Lead on all financial management, location master budget management and maintain efficient financial control, and tracking including donor reporting, monitor and analyse financial risks in line with the financial procedure’s handbook.
• Oversight and management of the bank accounts including deposits, withdrawals, preparation of bank reconciliations and revision/ negotiation in regards to bank charges on a yearly basis.
• Proactively engage in proposal budget development, implementation and revision as may be required and requested from the programme team and area finance.
• Directly responsible for control on procurement and management of supplies, vehicles, assets, and stock and ensure necessary systems in procurement and logistics are in place and continuously followed.
• Manage IT and communications systems in the area (laptops, printers, telephones and other means related to information and communication technology), with support of the IT officer and coordinate with IT department.
• Ensure that the national staff policies- instruments and systems- are in place and adhered.
• Ensure that HR activities (recruitments, on boarding performance) are effective managed. Coordinate with the HR team on technical matters or for support.
• Ensure that national staff are continuously developing their ability to fulfil job descriptions and acquiring new skills as much as possible through internal and external trainings.
• DRC Safety protocols are implemented in carrying out all activities in the area and adequate measures are in place to mitigate any potential risk to office, staff and assets.
• Continuously review security situation in the area and coordinate with area/country safety team on all matters related to safety and security.
• Ensure standard procedures and legal formalities are complied with when using services of third-party agencies or contractors.
• Ensure DRC operations in the location comply with all local labour laws and legislations.

Education, experience & technical competencies.

• Degree in Social Science, International Relation or any other relevant field an advantage.
• Minimum 4 years of work experiences in a similar or equivalent role in an INGO/UN agency in areas of humanitarian/development sector, in a conflict and post conflict environment
• At least 4 years of experience in managing a diversified national staff.
• Strong hands-on experience of managing safety and security in a conflict zone.
• Proven financial management experience.
• Experience of protocol development for multiple donors’ external in-depth knowledge of project management and all aspects of project cycle.
• Demonstrate experience in representation with donors and external actors and managing emergency response.
• Basic understanding of conflict resolution and peace building programming.
• Excellent writing and reporting skills.
• Interpersonal skill: ability to work with department heads and technical managers to ensure smooth work operations.
• Time management skill: being able to achieve operational objectives within set deadlines.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Competence

• Leadership skills includes ability to build and motivate a team and willingness to deal with conflicts constructively.
• Proven commitment to accountable practices and knowledgeable of quality assurance systems.
• Experienced with conflict and disaster related displacement issues and experiences in humanitarian advocacy.
• Political and cultural sensitivity, including ability to adapt well to local cultures.
• Proven ability to function and operate is an unstable and restricted environment.
• Human Resource management skills and hands on approach in insecure settings.
• Good communicator with proven diplomatic skills and willingness to engage with all level of staff, communities, local and national authorities, donors, NGOs, UN Agencies and others as required.
• Proven financial management skills-managing budgets and multiple donors’ contracts.
• Ability to resist external pressures.
• Innovative and creative and out of the box thinking.
• Analytical and reporting skills.

ABOUT YOU

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You are a strong networker and enjoy working with many different types of stakeholders, you involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while balancing the role of advisor and taking leadership
• Communicating: You write and speak effectively and honestly and display political and cultural sensitivity, including ability to adapt well to local cultures
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

Conditions:

Availability: 20th June 2022

Duty station: Hargeisa

Reporting to: Country Director

Duration: 6 Months of contract with possibility of extension based on fund and performance.

Contract: This position is graded as band M- F2 -S0 for qualified national staff and the terms of employment will be in accordance with DRC terms for national staff.

THE POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS ONLY.

Gender Equality:

DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.

Equal Opportunities:

DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, color, race, marital status or other protected characteristics.

Commitments:

DRC adheres to the Core Humanitarian Standards. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of these standards.

DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework. ​

For general information about Danish Refugee Council, please visit www.drc.ngo