Base Manager

Mrauk Oo, Rakhine State

Who are we?

DRC has provided humanitarian assistance to people in need in Myanmar since 2009. DRC is currently engaged in humanitarian response in Rakhine, Kachin, Northern Shan and Kayah. 

In 2012, waves of inter-communal violence swept through Rakhine, forcing approximately 140,000 persons to flee their homes and take refuge in IDP camps spread across the state. DRC activities target these IDPs, as well as other local vulnerable populations such as host villages and isolated villages. DRC implements a multi-sector response, including camp management, GBV, Child Protection, Livelihoods, Protection, and WASH in Sittwe, Pauktaw, and Mrauk-U Townships in Rakhine. 

DRC/DDG Myanmar currently employs over 385 national and 34 international staff and operates from eight operational offices.

 The Base Manager will report to the Area Manager in Rakhine State, Myanmar.

Overall purpose of the role:

The Base Manager - Mrauk Oo is responsible for the management, implementation, development and representation of DRC programming in the area of Mrauk Oo 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 national and international staff. The Base Manager acts as the security focal point in liaison with the Area Manager and Yangon based Security Advisor. 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 Oo, Kyauktaw, Rakhine)

The role has an area focused on Mrauk Oo and Kyauktaw townships. The Area Manager will sometimes be asked to support with wider Rakhine activities, and is a key member of the Rakhine Senior Management Team (R-SMT).

Reporting to                   : Area Manager – Rakhine

Direct Reports             : Project Manager – Protection, Livelihoods Project Manager, Child Protection Team Leader, Gender – Based Violence Team Leader, Finance/Admin Officer, Supply Chain Team Leader, - Indirectly, All sector and support staff in Mrauk Oo Field base

Responsibilities:

Management

• People management of direct reports (incl. development, performance & recruitment)
• Support and mentor staff members by identifying clear deliverables and providing training
• Ensure that all teams' work plans, procurement plans and movement plans are coordinated for maximum efficiency and adherence to security SoPs.
• Supervise finance, admin, Human Resources, procurement and logistics (Support Services) ensuring that expenditure is compliant with DRC procedures, donors’ regulation and national legislation
• Ensures team's capacity development is undertaken as per career development plans and support in clear understanding of teams' roles and responsibilities.Take lead in positive, innovative and mutually supportive team building

Programming

• 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 livelihoods 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)
• Ensure a rights-based approach to all DRC programming in his/her area of responsibility
• Ensure quality standards are met and programs are able to adapt to the contextual changes specifically in reduced access settings.
• 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 Managers.
• Work with technical teams to ensure strong coordination, and avoid duplication, with other actors working in the same technical areas of intervention
• Explore and present funding opportunities and program modalities to adapt to contextual changes, includingscaling-up of reach and activities as per the overall country strategy and ensures
• Supervise technical 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)
• 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 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

Representation and coordination

• Act as the DRC representative in Mrauk Oo 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 Oo
• Regularly provide contextual and programmatic reports to the Programme Manager in Sittwe
• Coordinate and manage any donor or other visits to DRC in Mrauk Oo (with support of Programme Support Manager)
• Engage proactively and coordinate with other humanitarian and development actors active in Mrauk Oo 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 Oo area
• Develop and maintain a security focal persons' network for the Mrauk Oo 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 Oo 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.
• Supporting the MEAL team in setting up and rolling out a robust remote monitoring systems as needed.

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. 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)  

• 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.
• Supporting the MEAL team in setting up and rolling out a robust remote monitoring systems as needed.
• Master's degree in political science, international development, economics or other relevant subject
• Relevant field experience
• Ability to survive in a remote field location
• 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. 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
• Master's degree in political science, international development, economics or other relevant field or related field or comparable experience
• At least 3 years' experience managing a field base/office – including responsibility for operations (logistics, procurement, finance, admin and HR) and overseeing programme implementation
• Proven experience in relationship building with government and military
• Strong staff management skills
• 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

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• Master's degree in political science, international development, economics or other relevant subject
• Relevant field experience
• Ability to survive in a remote field location

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)

• Local Government, 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

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• Full professional proficiency in English

About you

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC five 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.

We offer

DRC will offer the successful applicant with 12 months contract (negotiable). 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 in Employment Band F, level 2. 

The duty station is Mrauk Oo, Rakhine State, with occasional travel to Sittwe and to Yangon as needed. Mrauk Oo is a non-family duty station.

Application process

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button. All applicants must send a cover letter and an up-to-date CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered. 

Deadline for applications: 10 October 2019 (Thursday).

(Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and a candidate may be appointed before the closing date)