Peace and Security Working Group (PSWG) Manager at Mercy Corps

Program / Department Summary

• The Peace and Security Working Group (PSWG) has been established to enhance the effectiveness and coordination of interventions that are designed to reduce conflict, or to prevent the start or resumption of violent conflict in Nigeria.
• These activities may address the underlying drivers, neutralize potential triggers of violence, create a societal expectation for peaceful conflict resolution or stabilize society politically and socio-economically in the midst of crisis situations.

General Position Summary

• The PSWG exists primarily to serve the needs of its members and to act in their interest for decreasing violence in Nigeria.
• The main objectives include information sharing/ communication; coordination; policy development and advocacy; engagement with national civil society and international NGOs, national government and donors; and external representation of the NGO community.
• With two staff (a Senior Manager and an Intern), the PSWG plans to expand its reach with the goal of improving services to its members and increasing advocacy related to identified key priority issues.
• While the position focuses largely on coordination and representation duties, practical management skills, policy drafting experience and conflict management/peacebuilding expertise will prove invaluable.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Information Sharing / Communication:

• Act as focal point for the PSWG (both for external and internal stakeholders).
• Respond to requests for help and information from member organizations, non-member organizations and other stakeholders. Often this requires a high degree of coordination and the collection of sensitive information.
• Effective employment of motivational skills to help facilitate active engagement by members.
• With the Intern, develop a knowledge management system to enable access to easily navigable clearinghouse for members’ data, reports, etc.

Coordination:

• Provide overall support to the members via facilitation of regular meetings, operations of the PSWG, and other tasks as needed.
• Serve as primary focal point with the regional PSWG subgroups and ensure good coordination and working together between the regions and the central level.
• Help maintain high quality countrywide coordination by providing support and guidance when needed.
• Foster active collaboration between members of the PSWG to pursue common goals and/or complement their technical expertise.

Policy / Advocacy:

• Lead in development and implementation of an Advocacy Strategy that reflects member concerns and interests while mobilizing and leveraging support from member organizations.
• Work with PWG members to regularly update key messages and talking points that can be used generally and also for conversations with specific stakeholders.
• Work with PSWG members to regularly draft policy and positioning papers and briefs in line with collective views on topics of concern.
• Actively engage high profile targets and allies within federal and state governments, parliamentarians, to further advocacy objectives.
• Stay informed on global, regional and national opportunities to further advocacy objectives by anticipating key dates and ensuring adequate time to contribute productively. Liaise with relevant consortia to this end.
• Collect, analyze and share information relevant to members and external stakeholders, often with the goal of influencing policies and improving peace and security situation in the country.
• Ensure that PSWG position on specific issues and interests are well represented at relevant platforms and meetings; and as much as possible promote representation by PSWG members themselves.
• Actively build relationships with NGOs, donor and diplomatic communities to expand representation of the PSWG.

Management:

• Work with the PSWG Steering Committee to discuss strategic goals, new ideas aimed at strengthening the PSWG influence, annual work plans, and other strategic documents. 

Accountability to PSWG Members:

• PSWG team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our members and to international standards guiding international relief and development work.
• The PSWG exists to serve the needs of its members and the Senior Advisor will be required to ensure the conduct of their job is in line with the expectations. 

Knowledge and Experienc

• Advanced university degree in relevant field or equivalent through experience.
• 7+ years of experience in a conflict or post-conflict setting with a local or international NGO.
• Proven high profile management, coordination and advocacy experience in development context.
• Familiarity with the peacebuilding, conflict management, CVE sectors.
• Strong knowledge of the Nigeria context, knowledge of peace and conflict dynamics in Nigeria desired.
• Strong research and analysis skills.
• Knowledge of advocacy and policy change related to peace and security space.
• Experience in administration and coordination of coalition or secretariat functions a plus.
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities.
• Strong communication, inter-personal, facilitation and diplomatic skills.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal, with strong writing and editing skills. Knowledge of Hausa is a plus.
• Excellent computer skills.

Success Factors

• Commitment to achieve results in a timely manner.
• Trustworthiness and integrity.
• Committed to humanitarian and development values and principles.
• Strong people-management skills.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills.
• Strong communication skills.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Gender equity and protection sensitive.
• Creative solutions to problems.