Lead Data Quality Analyst

Overview SoCha is a US-based analytical services firm that assesses international projects funded by the US Government. SoCha is bidding on a five-year opportunity to provide DQR services to MCC worldwide. MCC is a U.S. Government corporation whose mission is to provide assistance that supports economic growth and poverty reduction in carefully selected countries that demonstrate a commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizenry. SoCha is seeking a highly qualified Data Quality Review Team Lead for an anticipated five-year opportunity to provide Data Quality Review services to the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) worldwide. The Team Lead will serve as the primary technical and managerial point of contact for MCC and will oversee the delivery of Data Quality Reviews, data quality improvement support, capacity-building activities, learning products, and related technical directives. The role requires strong technical knowledge of DQR methodology, excellent client management skills, and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams across multiple countries and sectors. SoCha prefers an exclusive bidding arrangement for this position. Applicants must be US citizens. Key Responsibilities Serve as SoCha’s primary liaison with MCC, including the Contracting Officer’s Representative, Project Monitor, MCC M&E staff, MCA/Accountable Entity counterparts, implementing entities, government institutions, and other stakeholders. Lead the design, management, and implementation of MCC-aligned Data Quality Reviews across sectors such as energy, agriculture and irrigation, education, land, transportation, and WASH. Ensure DQRs assess data quality against MCC’s core criteria: accuracy, timeliness, consistency, and transparency. Oversee reviews of indicator definitions, data sources, data flows, collection tools, reporting systems, verification processes, institutional responsibilities, and source documentation. Lead or review DQR inception reports, methodological notes, data collection plans, fieldwork plans, interview guides, data verification templates, evidence matrices, findings, recommendations, and final reports. Provide technical leadership for both full DQR assignments and lighter-touch support tasks, including reviews of external DQR reports, datasets, data collection tools, and draft findings. Manage multidisciplinary teams, including sector experts, statisticians, institutional strengthening specialists, GIS/database specialists, local consultants, and other on-call experts. Oversee approximately three DQRs and four to five follow-on or related data quality assignments per year, subject to MCC’s needs. Ensure clear team roles, timelines, deliverable expectations, quality assurance processes, and accountability mechanisms. Review and approve major technical deliverables before submission to MCC, ensuring they are concise, evidence-based, practical, and aligned with MCC expectations. Lead internal quality assurance reviews and ensure deliverables respond effectively to MCC comments and consolidated feedback. Support oral presentations, stakeholder workshops, findings workshops, learning events, and Q&A sessions with MCC and partner country stakeholders. Lead or oversee capacity-building activities for MCC, MCA, partner country staff, implementing entities, and data producers on DQR methods, data verification, indicator documentation, and data quality improvement. Support the design and implementation of DQR Action Plans and Data Quality Improvement Plans. Contribute to learning products, thematic reviews, data quality tools, presentations, and knowledge products based on DQR findings. Coordinate with SoCha’s project management, finance, HR, recruiting, and leadership teams as needed. Support budget oversight, performance reporting, work planning, and continuous improvement of contract performance. Required Qualifications U.S. citizenship required. Master’s degree or higher in economics, statistics, monitoring and evaluation, public policy, international development, data science, social sciences, or another relevant field. Minimum 10 years of experience in performance monitoring, data quality reviews, data quality assessments, M&E systems, or results measurement in developing countries. Minimum 10 years of experience managing multi‑sector teams to achieve specific measurable results. Demonstrated ability to lead complex assignments involving government officials, donor agencies, project implementers, utility or sector institutions, and project participants. Strong knowledge of DQR methodology, indicator systems, M&E Plans, Indicator Tracking Tables, data flow mapping, source documentation, and verification protocols. Excellent interpersonal, cross‑cultural, facilitation, and communication skills. Excellent English writing, editing, presentation, and client‑facing communication skills. Ability to manage multiple concurrent assignments and maintain quality under tight timelines. Preferred Qualifications Prior experience with MCC and/or MCA compact or threshold programs. Direct experience conducting or managing MCC‑style DQRs, DQAs, Data Quality Improvement Plans, or M&E Plan indicator reviews. Familiarity with MCC M&E Policy, MCC common indicators, MCC M&E Plans, Indicator Tracking Tables, compact implementation structures, and MCA/Accountable Entity operating environments. Professional proficiency in French and/or Spanish, with French strongly preferred. Experience in one or more MCC‑relevant sectors, particularly energy, agriculture and irrigation, education, land, transportation, and WASH. Experience developing learning products, thematic reviews, databases, evidence summaries, presentations, or knowledge products related to data quality or M&E systems. Experience working across Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Asia, or other MCC operating regions. Additional Requirements Nondisclosure agreement and conflict‑of‑interest disclosure will be required upon award. Applicants must be able to meet SoCha and MCC eligibility, confidentiality, conflict‑of‑interest, and security requirements. International travel may be required. Compensation Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Anticipated salary range is $125,000 to $152,000 contingent on contract award. Location Continental United States preferred; Washington, DC Metropolitan Area desirable. International travel may be required to MCC partner countries. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement SoCha is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. SoCha is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr