Base Manager – Mrauk U

Duty Station:** Mrauk U, Rakhine

Reporting to: Area Manager – Rakhine

Direct Report: 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).

Responsibilities:

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: (include years of experience)

• Master’s degree in political science, international development, economics or other relevant field or related field or comparable experience

• At least 4 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 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

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• Master’s degree in political science, international development, economics or other relevant subject

• Relevant field experience

• Ability to thrive in a remote field location

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

Conditions

Contract: DRC staff contract, including a probation period of 3 months. Renewables depend on both funding and performance. This position opens for both Expatriates and National candidates. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment. The position is placed in Employment Band F – Manager.

Further information

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.dk