Base Manager

Base Manager - oPt
 

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a Leading protection agency pursuing our mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement-affected populations based on humanitarian principles. Our response in the occupied Palestinian territory is centered on empowering conflict affected communities to meet their basic needs and promoting safety and dignity by addressing protection risks. Operating from two offices in Deir al Balah and Gaza City, and with a coordination office in Ramallah, the DRC maintains an active presence with over 30 national and international staff and four civil society partners. DRC now aims to grow our operation as part of the Middle East Hub, which also comprises Türkiye, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan.

 

About the job

The Base Manager (BM) is responsible for coordinating, managing, and representing DRC programming in Gaza, Palestine. S/he will oversee program implementation according to DRC strategies in Palestine and ensure that operations are implemented within DRC’s regulations, procedures, guidelines, and strategy; enable a productive and accountable relationship with beneficiaries, communities’ leaders/representatives, relevant governmental authorities, donors, national and International NGOs and UN Agencies.  The BM is DRC’s primary representative with relevant actors in the Gaza Strip; s/he is the line manager for all staff with area responsibilities, while technical support and oversight will be provided by the Country Office (CO).  The incumbent will also ensure a safe environment for DRC staff, beneficiaries, and assets through a proactive acceptance approach using DRC’s security framework. 

 

About you

Responsibilities

Representation and Coordination  

• Participate in SMT representing the Area of Responsibility (AOR).
• Represent all aspects of DRC’s programs and operations with stakeholders in Gaza including local authorities and coordination bodies, or delegate to other managers/team leaders as appropriate.
• Act as the primary DRC representative in Gaza and actively participate in relevant fora/meetings.
• In coordination with the CD, Head of Program/Program Managers, and Advocacy Coordinator, ensure that the DRC program in the area contributes to DRC´s advocacy efforts nationally, regionally, and internationally. 
• Maintain close working relationships with national and international organizations in the Area of Responsibility and local counterparts. 

Management  

• Line manage area support and program staff, ensuring inter-department coordination; ensure close coordination with technical leads in the CO who are responsible for technical oversight and support to respective program and support teams in the AOR. 
• Enable an effective team through result-oriented management systems, providing leadership and on-job capacity building.
• Closely coordinate with the senior management team and sector coordinators/specialists, ensuring regular information flows, adherence to sector strategies, proposal development processes, and safety regulations.
• Encourage a positive, innovative, and mutually supportive team spirit amongst the area team. 

Program management and development  

• Contribute to the process of adapting the DRC national strategy to the local context and circumstances.
• Identify risk areas to delivery of projects and coordinate solutions and mitigation measures in a timely manner.
• Provide guidance in developing DRC’s program in the area of operation and provide technical and context-specific input for fundraising efforts;  
• Provide regular analysis of the context and humanitarian situation in the area for developing project proposals and safety assessments.  
• Support the project implementation through management of Project Managers/Team Leaders to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, meet project objectives, and adhere to DRC's Policies and SOPs.

Safety and Security  

• Ensure a safe and secure environment for DRC staff, beneficiaries, and assets by ensuring the local security procedures are up to date and SOPs are followed in line with the SRMS and DRC policy, promoting regular staff training, providing safety and security analysis, recommendations and follow-ups.  
• Take the lead in managing security incidents in coordination with the CD and Safety Coordinator when required.

Accountability 

• Support the M&E team and practices, ensuring that managers apply M&E practices in all projects, in coordination with the CO-based MEAL team.
• Ensure overall provision of and adherence to DRC policies, procedures, guidelines, donor regulations, systems, and standard practices. 
• Promote compliance with DRC policies and practice with respect to child safeguarding, code of conduct, safety and security, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment, and other relevant policies and procedures.
• In coordination with the Country Director, address and implement appropriate management measures in response to Code of Conduct reports.

Operational  

• Jointly with the technical team in the country office, provide leadership in overseeing all logistical/procurement, HR/administration, finance, and office services activities and ensure their timely/efficient delivery, including office scale-up/scale-down based on funding and contextual changes.
• Lead on recruitment of senior staff in coordination with SMT, as appropriate.  
• Contribute to narrative and budget development of proposals and concept notes.
• Overall budget holder for AOR and responsible for ensuring optimal use of financial resources jointly with the DRC Head of Support Services and Head of Programs in line with DRC SOPs and shared cost allocation policy.
• Responsible for ensuring Gaza Area Office compliance with internal procedures and donor regulations.

Reporting 

• Comply with internal reporting requirements, contribute to, and provide quality assurance and timeliness of external reports from area of operation. 
• Lead DRC internal coordination mechanisms in the AOR and participate in country-level mechanisms (e.g. SMT, Programme meetings, etc.) as required. 
• Strengthen efforts to document the impact of DRC’s work in the AOR.

 

 Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum five years of experience managing humanitarian and development programs with NGOs. 
• Minimum two years of experience in generalist project and operations/support management in complex settings
• Experience working in fragile contexts and insecure environments.
• Can do attitude, ability to work independently but able to work in a team and see the bigger picture.  

 

Education:

University degree or higher in relevant subject area.

 

Languages:

• English (Professional Working Proficiency)
• Arabic Native

 

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)

• oPt Country Office Team
• Government
• UN Agencies and INGOs

 

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 uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

 

We offer

National Contract fixed term till Dec 2026

Band: F2

Work location: Gaza

Start date: Expected June 2026

Application process

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

Closing date for applications: 27th  April  2026

For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit our website drc.ngo.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment regardless of personal characteristics or attributes.

 

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