Local Facilitator

Consultancy announcement 

Consultant – Local Facilitator

Short Term Technical Assignment

Democratic Republic of Congo

Company Profile: 

SoCha (meaning “Social Change”) is an independent Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) firm that provides bespoke solutions to social challenges. We are a US-registered, veteran-owned small business and staff support offices in Nairobi, Bangkok and Mauritius. SoCha currently supports assistance interventions across Asia and Africa.

Background: 

SoCha, LLC is contracted to provide technical and advisory services to the United States Agency for International Development in the Democratic Republic of Congo (USAID/DRC) on the 5-year Mission Strategic Support Program (MSSP). The purpose of MSSP is to provide services assisting the mission with strategy and activity-level performance monitoring, evaluation and learning, including conducting data gathering and verification, data visualization, data quality assessments, impact and performance evaluations, assessments, organizational learning, and MEL capacity building.

Position overview: 

The Local Facilitator will play a key role in leading community workshops and facilitating discussions during individual interviews as part of people-centered justice listening tour in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi (Haut Katanga), and Goma (North Kivu). The facilitator will create a safe, inclusive, and open environment for participants to share their views, focusing on justice issues and access to formal and informal justice systems. This role requires strong facilitation and active listening skills, particularly in engaging with diverse and marginalized communities.
The Local Facilitator will report to the listening tour Team Leader.

Responsibilities:  

1. Lead Community Workshops: Plan, organize, and facilitate community workshops that engage various stakeholders, including marginalized groups, on justice-related issues.
2. Facilitate Individual Interviews: Conduct one-on-one interviews with participants to gather in-depth qualitative data about their experiences and perspectives related to justice.
3. Create a Safe Environment: Ensure a respectful and non-judgmental atmosphere that encourages open dialogue, particularly for vulnerable and marginalized participants (e.g., women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ communities).
4. Manage Group Dynamics: Effectively navigate group discussions, ensuring that all voices are heard, and that discussions are structured and productive.
5. Document Findings: Take detailed notes and summarize key insights from workshops and interviews, providing accurate and timely feedback to the project team leader.
6. Engage Stakeholders: Build relationships with community leaders, local justice actors, and civil society organizations to ensure broad participation and alignment with local context.
7. Adapt Facilitation Techniques: Tailor facilitation methods to suit different groups and settings, whether urban or rural, in line with local customs and languages.
8. Report Writing: Contribute to drafting reports and summaries based on workshop outcomes and interview findings, working closely with the project Team leader.

Qualifications: 

* Education: Bachelor’s degree in law, social sciences, Community Development, or related fields.

* Experience:

1. 1. Minimum of 3 years of experience in community organizing, or facilitating group discussions in justice-related, conflict resolution or similar sectors.
   2. Proven experience working with marginalized and vulnerable groups, particularly in conflict zones or areas with limited access to formal justice systems.

* Skills:

1. 1. Facilitation: Strong group facilitation skills, with expertise in managing group dynamics and ensuring inclusive participation.
   2. Active Listening: Skilled in empathetic listening and ensuring participants feel heard and understood.
   3. Conflict Resolution: Solid understanding of conflict dynamics and approaches to resolving disputes within communities.
   4. Cultural Sensitivity: Ability to work in diverse communities, demonstrating respect for different cultural, social, and economic backgrounds.
   5. Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in French and local languages (Swahili, Lingala, depending on the region).

* Other:

1. 1. Familiarity with justice and human rights issues in the DRC, particularly in relation to informal and formal justice mechanisms.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience in the justice sector reform or involvement in access to justice programs.
2. Knowledge of local traditional justice systems and actors.
3. Experience working with international NGOs or donor-funded projects (USAID, UN, etc.).

Competencies:

1. Leadership: Ability to guide discussions, build consensus, and inspire trust among community members.
2. Problem Solving: Strong critical thinking skills, with the ability to navigate complex group interactions and resolve conflicts.
3. Empathy: Deep understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities, with a commitment to supporting vulnerable voices.

Location:  

Kinshasa, Lubumbashi (Haut Katanga), Goma (North Kivu) / Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

How to apply: 

To apply, please lodge your CV using the following link:

https://jobs.socha.net/localfacilitator-drc/10/23/2024/

Three recent references are required.  Applications for the position will remain open until it is filled.