Base Manager

About the Position

Danish Refugee Council (DRC), one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Base Manager for our operations in Humera, Ethiopia.

Instruction for applicants:

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV in English. Please ensure that your CV does not exceed three pages. Applications with CVs longer than the specified limit may not be considered

The Base Manager is accountable for overall programmatic and operational deliverables under their base. They are responsible for the overall operational and programmatic planning, reporting, and implementation to enable DRC to achieve its objectives. This includes supervising the base, ensuring that DRC procedures are streamlined in the project implementation, building relationships with key humanitarian partners and donors, and securing funding to expand DRC’s programs.

The Base Manager will be responsible for coordinating a multi-sectoral response delivered jointly with a consortium of several INGO and local NGO partners in the area, as well as directly supervising the DRC emergency response team.

Responsibilities

Management

• People management of direct reports (including development, performance, and recruitment)
• Support and mentor staff members by identifying clear deliverables and providing training
• Support and monitor program staff planning of activities
• Supervise finance, admin, Human Resources, procurement, and logistics ensuring that expenditure is compliant with DRC procedures, donors’ regulations, and national legislation

Programming

• Development, coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting to CO, donors, and other relevant humanitarian actors
• Supervision and coordination of program and support staff
• Monitoring project expenditures
• Conducting assessments and fact-finding missions to set up new or follow-up projects
• Assisting in the preparation of project proposals for external donors and negotiating/defending them, conceptualizing, and developing sectoral and local strategies in close cooperation with the HOP and CD
• Assisting in developing new program initiatives and fundraising
• Ensuring that the programs are implemented in accordance with DRC standard regulations and operational procedures
• Supervising implementation of the projects via monitoring and evaluation
• Ensuring adherence to DRC Security procedures according to the DRC Operations Handbook and local security rules

Representation and Coordination

• Cultivate good relations with key local stakeholders, humanitarian actors, including UN, INGOs, and donors, through regular attendance at technical meetings/clusters and bilateral meetings
• Liaison and close coordination with UN agencies, NGOs, government authorities, and local organizations
• Ensure that timely and quality project narrative reports are provided to the donors on time according to donor’s requirements
• Represent DRC as required

Human Resources

• Promote professional development by identifying training and capacity building opportunities and ensuring staff are well versed in emergency response best practices and humanitarian principles, DRC's code of conduct, accountability, respectful dialogue with the beneficiary population, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.
• In collaboration with Addis-based support services staff, ensure timely recruitment onboarding and contract renewal of staff.
• Collaborate with the human resources department to ensure staff performance is continuously monitored, poor performance is timely addressed, and evaluations are conducted on a regular basis.

Logistics and Procurement

• Ensure a proper and timely updated procurement plan is in place
• Ensure accountable, transparent, and well-documented procurement processes for emergency response activities.
• Ensure proper stock management including clear segregation of duties among the existing staff during emergency response in line with the established policies.

Safety and Access

• Lead stakeholder engagement at local and regional levels in implementation areas to maintain humanitarian access and acceptance, in line with the Code of Conduct for humanitarian organizations in Ethiopia and humanitarian principles.
• In close collaboration with the CO Safety and Access Coordinator and the Country Director, ensure that all relevant information regarding safety, security, and the context is collected, updated, and shared in a regular and timely manner.
• In close collaboration with the Safety and Access Coordinator and the Country Director, ensure that staff working on emergency responses are informed and operate by relevant safety protocols.

Requirements

Core Skills

• Professional technical experience evidencing and demonstrating ability to deliver against the above-mentioned responsibilities
• At least 5 years' experience in a relevant field in an INGO
• At least 3 years' experience with people management
• Substantial work experience in the areas of emergency, camp management, and development sector, especially with displaced/refugee communities can substitute education qualification
• Experience managing field offices
• Experience in project management and proven organizational skills
• Good knowledge of relevant donors
• Experience dealing with national partners and local/government authorities
• Professional background in working with internally displaced persons and/or refugees
• Good experience in training and liaising with national NGOs
• Experience working in multicultural work settings

Education

• Master’s in social sciences, Economics, Development Studies, or other relevant fields

Language

• English (fluent)
• Knowledge of additional local language is an asset

We Offer

• Contract length: 12 Months
• Contract Type: National Contract
• Band: F2
• Designation of Duty Station: Humera, Ethiopia
• Start date: August 2026
• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National employees

Application Process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than three pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Please ensure that your CV does not exceed three pages. Applications with CVs longer than the specified limit may not be considered.

Closing date for applications: July 22, 2026

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

Gender Equality

DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.

Equal Opportunities

DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, color, race, marital status, or other protected characteristics.

We strongly encourage female candidates to apply for the position!

We encourage only qualified Ethiopian nationals to apply. DRC considers all applicants based on merit.

About the Company

Founded in 1956, DRC Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest, and a leading international NGO. We have continuously been ranked as one of the best NGOs in the world - and are one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. In over 30 countries, we protect, advocate, and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.

By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of over 6,000 employees. We pride ourselves on our:

• Professionalism, impact & expertise
• Humanitarian approach & the work we do
• Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
• Culture, values & strong leadership
• Fair compensation & continuous development

DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s, and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants based on individual merit and qualifications, regardless of personal characteristics or attributes. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce, aiming for a 50% balance of men and women in management roles and ensuring that at least 50% of management roles are filled by national staff. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is crucial for achieving our organizational goals and making a positive impact on the communities we serve.