The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.

The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Position: Head of Base

About the Programme
The Danish Refugee Council / Danish Demining Group (DRC/DDG) has been operational in West Africa since 1998. Our aim is to contribute to promoting peace and stability, protection and promotion of durable solutions to crisis-affected populations in the region based on humanitarian principles and fundamental human rights.

In July, DRC/DDG opened a new country programme in Nigeria to respond to the significant humanitarian needs and challenges in the northeast. Nigeria’s northeast is currently experiencing a significant humanitarian crisis, which has been the result of the ongoing armed conflict between Boko Haram, the Nigerian military and the Multi-National Task Force. An estimated 10 million people are affected by the conflict, which has led to a state of emergency being declared in three northeastern states and spill-over effects into neighbouring countries. High insecurity in the region has made access for humanitarian actors extremely difficult, further exacerbating the situation. DRC/DDG operations have been initially focused on Yola and Mubi in Adamawa State and southern Borno State, where we are responding to the basic needs (protection, Mine Risk Education (MRE), WASH, food security, livelihood and NFI/shelter) of IDPs, as well as supporting outreach to affected areas and displacement camps.

DRC/DDG has a representational office in Abuja and a larger coordination and field-based implementation office in Yola, Adamawa State. During the beginning of 2016, DRC/DDG expects to expand its activities in Borno state to Maiduguri by building a strong emergency response capacity and at the same time, by working to promote resilience and durable solutions for the people affected by the crisis.

Job Descriptions

• This is a dynamic position managing innovative programming in a complex and rapidly changing context.
• Under the supervision of the Country Director, and in coordination with the Head of Admin and Finance (HoFA), the Head of Base (HoB) will set up DRC´s base and oversee the implementation of activities in Maiduguri, Borno State in northeastern Nigeria.
• The programme in Maiduguri will support IDPs and host communities affected by the conflict.
• The Head of Base will coordinate with local and international staff members and also with thematic officers/coordinators (shelter, protection, MRE, armed violence reduction, livelihoods and M&E).
• S/he will be responsible for supervising programme staff in Maiduguri and for ensuring that DRC procedures are streamlined in the project implementation.
• The HoB is responsible for representing DRC and DDG at local and State levels, and coordination and liaison with authorities, ministries, INGOs, UN agencies and other stakeholders.
• The Head of Base will also be responsible for compliance with Standard Operating Procedures for safety, security and general operations.

Duties and Responsibilities
The key responsibilities for this position are outlined below:
Set up and support the operation:

• The Head of Base will conduct all actions necessary in regards to set up and strengthening DRC/DDG´s base and operations in Maiduguri, in collaboration with the HoFA, Security Advisor, Logistic and Procurement Manager, and thematic officers/managers, and under the supervision of the Country Director.

Programme Management:

• Overall responsibility for the design, implementation and effective monitoring of agreed projects and activities in areas of Shelter, Protection, and Livelihoods (Cash / NFI/ relief Item distribution) with IDP’s and host communities. In addition, the HoB will be working together with Mine Action team to support all aspects of project management cycle.
• Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and documentation of all activities and processes (e.g. organise and facilitate cash/NFI post distribution monitoring) and that the analysis of data collected is proactively used to inform activity changes to improve program quality.
• Ensure the development and implementation of all activities in line with Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and DRC program policies especially gender, age, ethnic background, and disability.
• Seek funding opportunities to scale up and/or expand activities working closely with the Country Director, and relevant technical specialists. This includes identifying and undertaking assessments as well as supporting concept notes and proposal writing.
• Close coordination with DDG’s Mine Action and Armed Violence Reduction managers, based in Yola, to ensure quality delivery of DDG programme activities in Borno state
• Provide strategic guidance and contextual understanding to DRC/DDG technical staff in order to ensure quality programme delivery in Borno state.

Reporting:

• Ensure that progress reports are prepared and shared within given deadlines
• Draft and contribute to donor reporting
• Capture lessons learned and document case studies that could be used for donor reports and for DRC/DDG communications materials.

Team Management:

• Supervision, coordination and performance management of programme staff based in Borno state
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to all project sites
• Lead staff and management meetings and share the minutes to all concerned
• Bring human resource/staff management issues to the CD for decisions
• Manage the program activities budget lines, ensuring effective and efficient use of resources including financial, human and all assets.
• Ensure that programme teams work closely with the support team to delivery DRC policies and procedures in finance, procurement and logistics including effective planning weekly, monthly and quarterly.

Security Management:

• Overall responsibility for security in and around Maiduguri including ensuring adherence to agreed security protocols, recommending changes to security protocols and delivering the agreed security action plan.
• In collaboration with the National Security Advisor, monitoring of security trends, reporting on any issues and incidents in a timely manner as per DRC security guideline
• Contribute to updating and reviewing security policies/guide lines and Standard Operating Procedures as per given deadlines
• Ensure that all staff are aware of DRC security policy/guideline/SoPs and they are implemented according at all levels
• Immediately report any violation of security protocols and recommend appropriate actions as per DRC procedures
• Ensure that DRC represents in security coordination meetings at local and State levels.

Representation and Relations:

• Represent DRC/DDG as required in Borno state
• Liaison and close coordination with UN agencies, international and local NGOs.
• Liaison and close coordination with government authorities and other stakeholders.
• Engage with all relevant stakeholders as regularly as possible. This includes local and IDP leadership, local and regional governmental bodies, donors, and partners.

Required Qualifications
To be successful in this role you must have:
Education:

• University Degree (Master's level) in Management, International Development or equivalent education in related field.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 8 years’ humanitarian experience with international NGOs at a senior level
• Minimum 5 years’ experience of working in difficult conflict-affected contexts
• Excellent knowledge on humanitarian standards and tools and working experiences of implementation of standards and tools
• Prior experience implementing programming to respond to the needs of IDPs/Returnees/Refugees/Host communities
• Prior experience engaging donors and writing funding proposals
• Demonstrated ability and experience working in difficult contexts and engaging local/national authorities in a diplomatic manner.

Competencies/Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Flexible and high adaptability
• Excellent team player
• Experience of living in shared guesthouse accommodation
• Experience of managing team diversity in terms of sex, race, nationalities, culture, faith, etc. We offer
• DRC will offer the successful applicant a 12 months contract (with standard 3 month probation period), renewable dependent on both funding and performance. You must be available to start work from 1 February 2016 and be willing and able to work in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Remuneration
Salary and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates. The position will be placed at salary level A10.