Base Manager (1 post) At Danish Refugee Council

Vacancy Announcement

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international humanitarian organization founded in Denmark in 1956. DRC implements relief and development activities in more than 30 countries throughout the world, assisting more than 1.5 million people of different ethnicities and religions. DRC is a non-governmental, non-political and non-religious organization – and in DRC, people’s right to a life with dignity takes precedence over politics and principles. DRC has been operating in Myanmar since May 2009 and in Rakhine State since 2010, responding to the humanitarian needs in the aftermath of the Cyclone Giri. DRC has recently expanded its programme providing shelter, WASH, NFIs, Economic Recovery and community assistance to the people affected by the June and October 2012 events in Rakhine State. DRC Myanmar in Rakhine State is funded by ECHO, SDC, DFAT, USAID and UN agencies, including UNHCR, UNICEF and UNFPA.

To strengthen DRC’s Programme in Rakhine State, DRC is looking for highly motivated and capable candidates to fill the position of

Base Manager (1 Post)

Duty Station : Mrauk Oo Office, Rakhine State

Reports to : Area Manager-Rakhine

Direct report for :WASH Manager, Protection and MEAL team leaders, Support Services Team Leader, Supply Chain Team Leader, Government Liaison and Safety and Security Specialist – Indirectly, All sector and support staff in Mrauk U Field Base

Overall purpose of the role:

The Base Manager – Mrauk U is responsible for the management, implementation, development and representation of DRC programming in the area of Mrauk U and Kyawktaw townships. S/he is directly responsible for the oversight of program implementation as well as direct management of support functions for a base which counts around 50-60 DRC staff. The Base Manager, in close collaboration with the Program Coordinators and with the support of the Area Manager based in Sittwe, will promote programme integration and guarantee the effective delivery of activities in the area. This role has an area focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the area. The role contributes to the development of area strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The post holder represents DRC to all external stakeholders in the area, building relationships with key humanitarian partners and donors, local Government, and other INGOs/NGOs/CBOs.

Geographic scope: Area (Mrauk U & Kyauktaw, Rakhine)

The role has an area focused on Mrauk U and Kyauktaw townships but will sometimes be asked to support with wider Rakhine activities. He/she will also be a key member of the Rakhine Senior Management Team (R-SMT).

Specific duties and responsibilities: The duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Management

• People management of direct reports (incl. development, performance & recruitment)
• Support and mentor staff members by identifying clear deliverables and providing training
• Support and monitor programme staff planning of activities
• Supervise finance, admin, Human Resources, procurement and logistics (Support Services) ensuring that expenditure is compliant with DRC procedures, donors’ regulation and national legislation
• Take lead in positive, innovative and mutually supportive team building

Programming and Financial Management:

• In conjunction with technical staff, provide leadership, coordination and integration of DRC activities in the area including, but not limited to – general protection, child protection, gender-based violence prevention and response, and WASH activities
• Ensure strong links between different programme teams, to run a cost-efficient (e.g., logistics, finance, programme teams sharing resources), well-integrated programme (e.g., between protection and livelihoods)
• Be a driving force in terms of developing DRC’s program in Rakhine State and provide input to fundraising efforts, in coordination with the Programme Coordinators and Programme Manager
• Work with technical teams to ensure strong coordination, and avoid duplication, with other actors working in the same technical areas of intervention
• Draft and present to the Area Manager regular analysis on the context and humanitarian situation in his/her area of responsibility to inform future proposal development processes in the area
• Conduct assessments and fact-finding missions to set up new or follow-up projects as required
• Assisting in the preparation of project proposals for external donors and negotiate/defend them, conceptualizing and developing sectoral and local strategies in close co-operation with the Area Manager and technical teams
• Ensure programs adaptability and program integrations within the operational areas and sectors.
• Ensure that at all times contact with beneficiaries, target groups and representatives of authorities is conducted in a sensitive and respectful manner Closely coordinate with the MEAL team and technical teams to monitor against project indicators

Financial Management:

• Act in coordination with Support Services Team Leader as the budget holder for relevant budgets and sub-budgets.
• Supervise programs and support teams to enable strong budget follow-up, and maintain a Master budget for the field base (in collaboration with support services team, and Rakhine Area Manager)
• Ensure full adherence and compliance with DRC’s country-level financial processes and procedures, and DRC’s global policies and guidelines.

Representation and coordination

• Act as the DRC representative in Mrauk U area and attend all relevant forums/meetings
• Build and manage a good professional relationship with the local authorities, both civilian and military (in close coordination with the Area Manager and Country Director)
• Develop, implement and regularly revise a DRC engagement strategy and acceptance in the area
• Identify and build relationships with authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the area and coordinate all communication and liaison with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in Mrauk U
• Regularly provide contextual and programmatic reports to the Area Manager in Sittwe
• Coordinate and manage any donor or other visits to DRC in Mrauk U (with support of Area Manager)
• Engage proactively and coordinate with other humanitarian and development actors active in Mrauk U District

Accountability

• Guided by the DRC Programme and operations Handbooks, continuously monitor, propose and implement relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthen the effort to document the impact of DRC’s activities in the area

Safety and Security

• Act as security manager in the area ensuring all staff understand and adhere to the security protocols
• Ensure the evolving security situation is understood, documented and reported to the national security focal person, other security focal points and Area Manager
• Actively support the country safety advisor to develop and regularly update the local security plan for Mrauk U area
• Develop and maintain a security focal persons’ network for the Mrauk U area. Ensure adherence to DRC Security procedures according to the DRC Operations Handbook and local security rules. Adapt and develop security management plans and SOPs for Mrauk U field base, in coordination with security focal points, Area Manager and Yangon-based Security Advisor

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Working in close coordination with the MEAL team, and technical teams, ensure implemented projects are in compliance with DRC monitoring, evaluation and learning Minimum Operating Procedures and country M&E framework.

As a Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
• Accountable for people management of direct reports in coordination with Area based Technical Managers. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC

*Any other duties relating to the nature of the job as requested by the Area Manager

Experience and technical competencies:

• Master’s degree in political science, international development, economics or other relevant field or related field or comparable experience
• Relevant field experience
• Ability to thrive in a remote field location
• Full professional proficiency in English
• At least 5 years’ experience managing a field base/office – including responsibility for operations (logistics, procurement, finance, admin and HR) and/or overseeing programme implementation
• Strong staff management skills based on a bottom-up management style
• At least 3 years of work experience in both humanitarian and/or development programming
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to determine priorities and respect deadlines
• Strong project management, budget management and report writing skills
• Clear communication, presentation style, good interpersonal and diplomatic skills essential
• Ability to work independently in a remote location
• Ability to handle stress and to adapt to changing environments and work modalities
• Full understanding of humanitarian and protection principles

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)

• Local Government and relevant stakeholders, including at township, village tract and village level
• DRC technical teams in Sittwe and Yangon
• DRC support teams in Sittwe and Yangon
• Rakhine Area Manager

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. “

We Offer:

• Starting date of employment:ASAP.
• Contract length: Until the end of Dec 2023 includes a probation period of 3 months, possible extension based on performance and project funding.
• Salary: Competitive salary according to DRC Myanmar salary scale.

This position is open for Myanmar National only. DRC strongly advocates for equal opportunity and promotes a diversified and inspiring working environment. Therefore, qualified candidates of ethnic minorities and women are strongly encouraged to apply.