Team Leader – Occupied Palestinian Territories

Background

SoCha is pursuing the OPTIMEL Project, an FCDO-funded contract that will provide independent monitoring, research, and learning support for FCDO’s humanitarian programs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). The program will focus on independent monitoring and third-party monitoring (TPM), research and evaluation, and portfolio learning and engagement while operating in a highly complex and sensitive environment.

SoCha seeks a highly qualified individual to fill the role of Team Leader. The position will be based in the OPTs and is contingent on contract award and approval.

Scope of Work

The Team Leader will ensure strategic oversight, risk management, and technical leadership in the delivery of high-quality MEL services. The role requires a combination of diplomatic engagement, programmatic adaptability, and strong team leadership. He/she will provide technical leadership throughout all stages of work and ensure all deliverables meet the highest quality standards. The Team Leader will work closely with project team members, local MEL partners, and SoCha home office technical staff to ensure the successful implementation of the OPTIMEL platform. He/she will fulfill the following responsibilities:

• Technical & Strategic Leadership
  • Provide technical guidance for the design, implementation, and oversight of all MEL activities.
  • Develop and oversee the strategic vision for the platform, ensuring adaptive MEL approaches responsive to conflict dynamics.
  • Ensure that MEL findings inform programmatic decision-making, policy adjustments, and strategic learning.
• Stakeholder & Partner Coordination
  • Serve as the primary liaison with FCDO, ensuring alignment with programmatic and policy priorities.
  • Engage with INGOs, UN agencies, local government bodies, and humanitarian actors to ensure effective coordination.
  • Lead collaborative MEL efforts with Palestinian MEL organizations to ensure contextualized data collection and analysis.
• Operational & Risk Management
  • Provide adaptive leadership in high-risk settings, adjusting MEL approaches to navigate political sensitivities.
  • Ensure full compliance with FCDO’s risk management, safeguarding, and aid diversion prevention policies.
  • Supervise duty-of-care measures for field-based staff and local enumerators to ensure safe MEL operations.
  • Oversee data protection and ethical considerations, ensuring compliance with GDPR and FCDO data security requirements.
• Team & Performance Management
  • Lead and manage a multidisciplinary team, fostering professional development and high performance.
  • Oversee contract compliance, financial forecasting, and performance-based management.
  • Ensure the delivery of all key performance indicators tied to payment milestones.
  • Supervise the design and implementation of performance-based monitoring frameworks to meet donor requirements.
• Financial & Contract Oversight
  • Work closely with the finance team to ensure cost-effective resource allocation within FCDO’s financial framework.
  • Ensure full transparency and accountability in financial reporting, in line with FCDO’s open-book accounting and audit requirements.
  • Manage project expenditures, ensuring value for money while maintaining high technical standards.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• An advanced university degree in political or social sciences, economics, development studies, or a related field.
• At least twelve (12) years of experience in MEL, TPM, research, or international development, with at least five (5) years in senior leadership roles.
• Proven Team Leader or Chief of Party experience on MEL/TPM projects valued at £5M+ for FCDO, USAID, UN, or equivalent donors.
• Extensive experience in fragile/conflict-affected settings, ideally in the Middle East.
• Strong track record of stakeholder engagement, including diplomacy, government liaison, and donor relations.
• Expertise in MEL methodologies, evaluation design, TPM, and adaptive learning frameworks.
• Experience managing data verification, compliance frameworks, and ethical MEL standards.
• Demonstrated experience in risk management and security oversight for MEL fieldwork.
• Strong financial and contract management experience, including budgeting and performance-based payments.
• Fluency in English is required. Arabic proficiency is highly preferred.

Location

Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs).