The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), an international non-governmental organization (NGO), has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC promotes and supports solutions to the problems faced by refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and migrants. The organization has offices across the region and has been operational in Ethiopia since 2009.  With funding from bilateral and multilateral donors, DRC is currently implementing a range of activities across Ethiopia and Djibouti, including WASH and shelter provision, child and youth protection, gender-based violence response, awareness-raising of migration risks, protection monitoring of migration routes, and livelihoods support for returning migrants or those at-risk of migration.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

Under the line management of the Area Manager, the Base Manager will be responsible for supervising the day-to-day management of the base and staff in Afar region. The role will require close oversight and accountability for programme implementation, ensuring that programme activities are delivered as per DRC standards and in a timely and compliant manner. The Base Manager will also ensure sound financial management of the grants implemented in his/her intervention area, along with internal and external reporting. The Base Manager must be able to represent DRC with donors, authorities and host communities alike.

Key Responsibilities:

To achieve the overall and specific objectives of the position, the Base Manager will perform the following tasks and undertake the following responsibilities:

Programming

• Monitor the progress of projects against work plans and budget spending, and provide appropriate support to senior project staff and support staff to ensure high quality programs are delivered in a timely fashion
• Ensure Project Cycle Management processes and tools are in place as per the DRC PCM guidelines
• Ensure recommendations and guidance provided by technical units are incorporated into field activities and work plans.
• Engage in regular communication with support Services Team Leader, Area manager, Program manager and relevant team leaders on project implementation strategy and needed support.
• Ensure that at all times contact with beneficiaries, target groups and representatives of authorities is conducted in a sensitive and respectful manner as per DRC accountability guidance
• Contribute to analysis of the local context, and under the supervision of the Area Manager and in coordination with HOP and field program team, assist in the preparation of new programme initiatives and project proposals.

Operations

• Support the management of finance, admin, and stock/assets processes in the base, in line with DRC processes and procedures, donor regulation and national legislation
• Ensure smooth day-to-day running of base, including responsibility for management and maintenance of the DRC Office/Guesthouse, management of office supplies and consumables, ensuring prompt payment of suppliers, and maintaining and overseeing guard schedules
• Provide update on overall base management related issues to the Area manager on a timely manner.
• Actively participate in the master budget preparation for Afar region and ensure all cost related to office administration are sufficiently factored in the master budget.
• Support the development of budgets and manage them in a time bound accurate way as budget holder

Representation and coordination

• Lead in coordination and liaison with humanitarian partners and other relevant stakeholders
• Cultivate good relations with key humanitarian actors, including UN, international and national NGOs and local authorities, through regular communication, liaison and attendance at technical meetings/clusters and bilateral meetings
• Ensure that timely and quality project updates and coordination inputs (e.g. 4/5 Ws) are shared in a timely manner with relevant stakeholders.
• Represent DRC publicly at the site level, including in coordination fora with other agencies
• Maintain a constructive and cordial relationship with the partners, beneficiaries and host communities throughout the project implementation in the area of responsibility.

Human resources

• People management of direct reports (incl. recruitment, development & performance), creating respectful and positive working relationships which allow for the effective implementation of all activities.
• Actively promote the recruitment and leadership of women within the team
• Support and mentor staff members by identifying clear deliverables and providing training
• Ensure all staff receive inductions, Code of Conduct training and relevant training and capacity building to meet KPIs
• Ensure time sheet for incentive workers and daily labor is collected and reviewed in a timely manner

Safety and access

• Ensuring adherence to DRC Security procedures according to the DRC Operations Handbook and local security rules
• Assume responsibility for staff safety in the area of operation.
• Ensure all relevant information regarding safety, security and the context is collected, updated and shared with the Area manager and Hayat in Addis in a regular and timely manner.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master

DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

Requirements

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• At least 5 years’ experience in relevant field in an INGO
• At least 3 years’ experience with people management
• Substantial experience in the field of humanitarian response and refugee/IDP protection working for an international NGO, UN agency or relevant ministry or local authority.
• Experience dealing with national partners and local/government authorities
• Experience in project management and proven organizational skills
• Strong planning, problem solving, analytical and writing skills, with the ability to use planning tools appropriately, and produce well-written documents for internal and external use.
• Strong sense of integrity, strong work ethic, and ability to consistently meet deadlines.

EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

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

LANGUAGE: (indicate fluency level)

• Excellent verbal and written proficiency in Amharic and English