Integrity recently appointed Ms. Peris Gitonga to the role of Chief of Party for the USAID Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) Somalia Monitoring and Learning Project 2 (SMLP2).
SMLP2 Chief of Party, Peris Gitonga
Peris, who has served as SMLP2 Deputy Chief of Party since March 2023, brings over a decade of experience in design, oversight, and implementation of monitoring, evaluation and learning activities for international humanitarian and development programming. Peris’ expertise lies in managing third-party monitoring (TPM) systems that prioritize data integrity and drive transparency, accountability, and programmatic improvement.
Reflecting on her new role, Peris shared: “Having worked in Somalia for the past nine years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges posed by climate and conflict-related shocks, the evolution of the humanitarian response, and the critical role of TPM in providing impartial, reliable, and timely evidence to make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. My goal is to build on the strong foundation SMLP2 has established in its first two years by deepening our value to BHA and its implementing partners in the crucial work they do in delivering assistance. I am particularly passionate about working with our Somalia partners to strengthen their ownership of the data management cycle, ensuring enduring positive outcomes and a strong base for continued progress in Somalia.”
“My goal is to build on the strong foundation SMLP2 has established in its first two years by deepening our value to BHA and its implementing partners in the crucial work they do in delivering assistance. I am particularly passionate about working with our Somalia partners to strengthen their ownership of the data management cycle, ensuring enduring positive outcomes and a strong base for continued progress in Somalia.”
Peris also emphasized her vision to leverage technology and refine TPM approaches to deliver real-time, actionable insights: “In Somalia’s dynamic and complex operating environment, timely and responsive TPM systems are essential. By intensifying our efforts to incorporate innovative technology into our monitoring and reporting processes, I aim to ensure that our work provides immediate value to BHA and other stakeholders.”
Our SMLP2 consortium delivers innovative TPM services to BHA programming across Somalia. We work actively with BHA to discern informational and learning needs arising from implementation across its portfolio that includes agriculture and food security, economic recovery and market systems, protection, shelter and settlement, nutrition, multi-purpose cash assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene, and emergency health interventions. SMLP2 seeks to improve BHA’s ability to monitor performance of BHA-funded activities, verify quantity and quality of reported activity outputs, and selected immediate outcomes, verify the delivery of assistance to program participants as reported by implementing partners. Critically SMLP2 uses TPM findings to strengthen adaptive management of BHA-funded programs and improve BHA’s and IPs’ access to and use of direct feedback from program participants.
Integrity founder and CEO, Anthony Ellis, said: “Peris’ advancement from DCOP to COP is a great achievement and a milestone in our close cooperation with BHA to deliver the best possible TPM of the humanitarian portfolio in Somalia. I want to congratulate Peris and look forward to a close and supportive working relationship.”
Integrity has worked in Somalia since 2011, co-ordinated from our East Africa hub in Nairobi. For more detail of our regional track record in delivering high-quality research and data and translating evidence into action see our capabilities statement or please get in touch: [email protected]
This post is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this post are the sole responsibility of Integrity Global and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
