IPA Project Officer at Search For Common Ground’s International

Location: Jos, Plateau

Project Goal & Specific Objective

• Search for Common Ground (Search) Nigeria is implementing a project: Can Contact Reduce Conflict between Farmers and Herders in Nasarawa and Plateau States. With a target of implementing 96 dialogues comprising 64 Intra Dialogues and 32 Inter dialogues with farmers and herders.
• The specific objective of the project is to Increase collaboration between farmer and herder communities for dispute management, violence prevention, and mitigation at the community levels.
• Improved understanding of  the conflict dynamics, causes, actors  and  context of the communities
• Build acceptance, trust, and Improved Intragroup communication and collaboration.

Position Summary

• The Project Officer is to provide programmatic support, including planning, organizing, and coordinating communication and project activities. The position is full time, based in Jos, Plateau State with frequent field visits within and outside the State.
• The position holder will work under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator and closely with the project team. 

Roles and Responsibilities

• Create and nurture a positive working relationship with relevant stakeholders 
• Contribute to reporting efforts 

The project officer may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties:

• Support the timely and successful implementation of activities 
• Assist in planning, organizing, and coordinating program activities 
• Manage budgets, activities and ensure proper use of the activities’ fund in full compliance of Search’s policies 
• Coordinate and arrange all logistics for various meetings, and trainings, including invitations, venue, participants travel and accommodation
• Facilitate dialogue sessions and meetings with relevant actors 
• Participate in radio programs when delegated 
• Ensure financial necessary prior arrangements are made for activities and assist with all other matters related to the project as needed for Finance and Administration.
• Collaborate with Search finance team in order to fulfil payments and other project expenditure;
• Provide support to the Project Coordinator in identifying key relevant stakeholders
• Develop and nurture relations with relevant state, NGO, religious bodies and other stakeholders at the local, state and national level
• Create and maintain a database of all relevant contacts 
• Communicate with relevant project stakeholders and mobilize them to ensure their participation in the project’s activities 
• Represent Search to local authorities meetings, when delegated
• Keep track of project progress and feed in Search’s monitoring and evaluation system;
• Writing and producing reports that include but not limited to activity reports, context updates, monthly reports, quarterly reports, success stories, and case studies; 
• Analyze the context within the scope of the project and provide inputs for regular context updates; 
• Support in the reporting on project activities, ensuring timely grant reporting and compliance with contract and donor guidelines in coordination with the consortium partners.

Educational Background

• Bachelor's Degree in Peace Building, Conflict, Security Studies, Political / Social Science, International Studies, Public Administration or Development Studies and experience in a related area. 
• Additional extensive training in at least one of the areas of SFCG thematic work- Peace building, conflict transformation and resolution is an added advantage.

Required Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years experience in implementing social cohesion project with a special focus on conflict analysis, social cohesion, crisis prevention, early warning and early response and/or  farmer-herder Project engagement
• Experience working in an NGO. Experience in an INGO is a plus;
• Experience implementing complex activities with limited supervision; 
• Experience in a delicate conflict context with difficult and hard-to-reach stakeholders;
• Experience working in large multicultural environment and in a diverse team.