Myanmar: Head of Base

We are looking for a dedicated, motivated and highly qualified Head of Base (HoB) to oversee the management of the Mrauk U Office and the programmes which operate from it.

Who are we?

DRC has been operating in Myanmar since 2009 and currently supports operations in four different States. The overall programme objective is the promotion and protection of durable solutions for vulnerable populations including conflict and disaster-affected people, IDPs and returnees in Rakhine State, Kachin State, Northern Shan State and the Southeast of Myanmar. DRC’s work is based on humanitarian and protection principles and human rights.

In Rakhine State, DRC has a well-established presence, initially providing emergency assistance to communities affected by cyclone Giri. Following the June and October 2012 violence, around 140,000 people were displaced, including over 120,000 people in camps, mainly in Sittwe, as well as in other affected areas in rural townships. Another 100,000 people in host/surrounding villages are affected due to poverty, restrictions on freedom of movement and lack of access to basic services. The DRC programme in Rakhine focuses on protection, child protection, GBV, livelihoods support and recovery activities, camp management, shelter, WASH and disaster risk reduction. Furthermore, longer-term support to local authorities in strengthening community-driven safety and reconciliation processes and other types of support are envisioned. DRC in Rakhine State also operate out of a sub office in Mrauk U and in Maungdaw, Northern Rakhine State.

DRC/DDG Myanmar currently employs over 300 national and 28 international staff and operates from ten operational offices. DRC’s main office is in Yangon; the main donors of DRC in Myanmar are ECHO, EC, UNHCR, UNICEF, DFID, DANIDA, OFDA, UNFPA, AusAid, USAID and SDC.

About the job

The Head of Base (HoB) in 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 staff.

S/he is to ensure field teams are prepared to respond to emergencies.

The HoB, in close collaboration with the program coordinators and with the support of the Programme Manager based in Sittwe, will promote programme integration and guarantee the effective delivery of activities in the area.

The position reports directly to the Rakhine Programme Manager based in Sittwe.

The Base Manager will be based in Mrauk U with frequent travels to Sittwe.

Duties and Responsibilities

In this position, you will be responsible for the following;

Responsibilities:

Program Management and Development

• In conjunction with Programme Coordinators, provide leadership, coordination and integration of DRC activities in the area including, but not limited to - protection monitoring, child protection, gender based violence prevention and response, and livelihood activities
• Direct line management of the staff based in Mrauk U, including recruitment, coaching, capacity building and ensuring interdepartmental co-ordination
• Ensure a rights-based approach to all DRC programming in his/her area of responsibility
• Take lead in positive, innovative and mutually supportive team building
• 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
• Draft and present to the DRC country office regular analysis on the context and humanitarian situation in his/her area of responsibility to inform future proposal development processes in the area

Finance, Administration and Logistics

• Ensure the smooth functioning of the office and ensure compliance with all DRC policies and procedures (admin/finance, procurement and logistics)
• Ensure promotion, understanding and compliance with DRC Code of Conduct
• Ensure budget spending is in accordance to approved budgets and plans for both support function and program activities allocated for the area
• Provide budget monitoring, financial control in compliance with DRC country office requirements and as per the Operations Handbook
• Be responsible for development of the base, including the procurement of assets for effective working of the base, in conjunction with Programme Coordinators if appropriate

Coordination/Representation

• 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 Programme 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 Programme Manager in Sittwe
• Coordinate and manage any donor or other visits to DRC in Mrauk
• 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 and Programme Manager
• Actively support the country safety coordinator 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

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Ensure implemented projects are in compliance with DRC monitoring, evaluation and learning Minimum Operating Procedures and country M&E framework

About you

• To be successful in this role you must have:
• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Management, or related field or comparable experience
• Proficiency in English is essential
• At least 1 year experience managing a field base/office – including responsibility for operations (logistics procurement, finance, admin and HR)
• Minimum 5 years relevant professional work experience in a similar context; especially in a management role
• At least 3 years in dealing with displacement issues of both internally displaced, returnees and refugees and related international standards/frameworks
• Proven experience in relationship building with government and military
• Strong staff management skills
• At least 3 years work experience in both development and crisis management
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with high level of flexibility in a challenging and fast moving multicultural environment
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to determine priorities and respect deadlines
• Proven experience in report writing
• Clear communication, presentation style, good interpersonal and diplomatic skills essential
• Ability to work independently in a remote location

We offer

DRC will offer the successful applicant a 12-month contract with the possibility of extension. Envisaged start date is January 2018. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. The position is placed at A14 on DRC salary scale.

Rakhine is eligible for a location adjustment to salary and R&R according to DRC terms of employment level C. This is not a family duty station.

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking here.

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered.

This is an unaccompanied position.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk

Applications close 5^th January 2018 . Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and interviews may take place before the deadline.

The proposed start date would be before end Jan 2018.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profitorganisationfounded in 1956 that works in more than 35 countries throughout the world. We are the largest humanitarian NGO in Denmark and consistently ranked as one of the world’s best NGOs according to Global_Geneva.
We fulfil our mandate by providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations – refugees, internally displaced people and host communities in the conflict areas of the world. We also advocate on behalf of conflict-affected populations globally on the basis of humanitarian principles and the Human Rights Declaration. Our work and long-term strategies are guided by our five core values: Humanitarian approach - Respect - Independence & neutrality - Inclusion - Honesty & transparency.
You can read more about our vision and work ondrc.ngo.