Background
SoCha is preparing a proposal to provide independent third-party monitoring (TPM) services for projects financed through the Democratic Republic of the Congo Humanitarian Fund (DRC HF), administered by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).
The assignment involves independent verification of humanitarian project implementation, including field monitoring, beneficiary consultations, remote verification and beneficiary verification surveys. Activities will cover multiple humanitarian sectors and geographically dispersed, insecure and hard-to-reach locations.
SoCha seeks a qualified Team Leader to provide overall technical and operational leadership for the assignment, ensuring the timely delivery of rigorous, independent and actionable monitoring findings.
Position Summary
The Team Leader will be responsible for the overall management, technical quality and operational delivery of TPM services. The position will serve as SoCha's principal focal point for the UNOCHA DRC Humanitarian Fund Unit (HFU), supervising the Field Monitoring Coordinators, Data Analyst and associated monitoring personnel.
The Team Leader will ensure that monitoring activities follow approved methodologies, contractual requirements and ethical standards, while maintaining operational readiness across the seven priority provinces.
Key Responsibilities
A. Technical Leadership and Monitoring Methodology
- Lead the development and implementation of the TPM Operational Plan, including risk-based prioritization, monitoring approaches, deployment schedules and quality-assurance arrangements.
- Oversee the design of project-specific monitoring plans, sampling strategies, data collection tools and means of verification.
- Ensure monitoring methodologies are appropriate to the relevant humanitarian sectors, including Health, Nutrition, Protection, Food Security, Shelter/NFI, WASH, Education and Camp Coordination and Camp Management.
- Ensure systematic triangulation of documentary evidence, field observations, stakeholder interviews and beneficiary feedback.
- Oversee remote monitoring approaches when physical access is restricted, subject to UNOCHA approval.
B. Project Management and Operational Coordination
- Manage day-to-day implementation of TPM assignments, ensuring adherence to agreed work plans, timelines and deliverables.
- Supervise Field Monitoring Coordinators and the Data Analyst, ensuring effective coordination between field operations, data management and reporting.
- Coordinate the mobilization of field monitoring teams, including urgent or unplanned assignments.
- Oversee operational planning, including staffing, logistics, access arrangements and security assessments, in coordination with SoCha's operational personnel and local partners.
- Monitor implementation progress, identify bottlenecks and initiate corrective action where necessary.
C. Stakeholder Engagement and Contract Management
- Serve as the principal technical and operational liaison with the UNOCHA DRC HFU.
- Coordinate with implementing partners to facilitate access to project documentation, sites, personnel and beneficiaries, while safeguarding the independence of monitoring activities.
- Participate in regular coordination and management meetings with UNOCHA.
- Provide timely updates on monitoring progress, operational constraints and emerging risks.
- Ensure potential conflicts of interest are identified and disclosed before assignments.
D. Quality Assurance and Reporting
- Oversee the preparation and quality assurance of TPM reports, Beneficiary Verification Survey reports and periodic synthesis reports.
- Ensure findings are evidence-based, appropriately triangulated and clearly distinguish verified results from observations, unverified information and allegations.
- Ensure reports assess implementation progress, quality of assistance, beneficiary perspectives, cross-cutting issues and areas requiring corrective action.
- Review all substantive deliverables before submission to UNOCHA.
- Ensure reports and supporting evidence are submitted in French and within contractual deadlines.
- Lead the preparation of biannual synthesis reports and presentations when requested.
E. Risk Management, Safeguarding and Compliance
- Ensure monitoring activities comply with applicable security, safeguarding, PSEA, data protection and Do No Harm requirements
- Oversee the implementation of security and access protocols, including go/no-go decisions, contingency planning and remote-monitoring alternatives.
- Ensure serious protection concerns, suspected fraud, aid diversion and other critical findings are escalated through approved channels within required timelines.
- Maintain appropriate procedures for informed consent, confidentiality and secure handling of sensitive information.
- Ensure all monitoring personnel receive appropriate training and comply with SoCha and UNOCHA requirements.
Required Qualifications and Experience
- University degree in monitoring and evaluation, social sciences, statistics, humanitarian affairs or a related discipline; a Master's degree is strongly preferred.
- More than seven years of experience in team management, preferably involving geographically dispersed monitoring or research operations.
- At least three years of relevant experience in monitoring, evaluation or independent verification, including in the DRC or a comparable complex operational environment.
- Demonstrated experience managing humanitarian or development monitoring assignments for UN agencies, international organizations or major institutional donors.
- Strong understanding of risk-based monitoring, mixed-methods research, field verification and data quality assurance.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and operations in insecure, hard-to-reach or otherwise challenging environments.
- Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality analytical reports and manage demanding reporting schedules.
- Strong understanding of humanitarian principles, protection, safeguarding, PSEA and ethical data collection.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in written and spoken French is required.
- Working proficiency in English is required.
- Knowledge of relevant DRC local languages is an advantage.
Preferred Qualifications
- More than five years of experience specifically in humanitarian or development monitoring and reporting.
- Previous leadership of TPM assignments for UN agencies, humanitarian pooled funds or bilateral donors.
- Direct operational experience in eastern or northeastern DRC.
- Familiarity with the DRC Humanitarian Fund, humanitarian coordination structures and relevant sector standards.
- Experience with digital monitoring platforms, including Kobo Toolbox, ODK or similar systems.
Expected Deliverables
The Team Leader will be accountable for:
- The TPM Operational Plan and regular updates.
- Approved project-specific mission plans and monitoring methodologies.
- Timely delivery of TPM reports and supporting evidence.
- Oversight of Beneficiary Verification Surveys and associated reporting.
- Weekly progress updates during active assignments.
- Periodic synthesis reports and management presentations, as requested.
- Quality-assurance documentation, corrective action tracking and end-of-contract handover.
Reporting and Working Arrangements
The Team Leader will report to SoCha's designated Project Director or senior management representative and will serve as the primary point of contact with UNOCHA.
The position is full-time and dedicated to the contract. The Team Leader will supervise the core technical team and coordinate with SoCha's operations and security personnel and approved local partners.
The position requires travel within the DRC, subject to approved security and access procedures.