Consultant (Strategic Development - Market Analyst) at Search For Common Ground’s International

Location: Maiduguri, Borno

Position Summary

• Our Strategic Development department is seeking a resultsoriented individual to serve as Market Analyst.
• This is a unique opportunity to achieve Objective 2 of the project which is aimed at empowering and supporting children associated with CJTF for increased employability.
• The Market Analyst is to conduct a market analysis in the communities in which children and youth will be reintegrated or disassociated.
• The purpose of the analysis is to better understand the local livelihood systems, household economies, and market opportunities so that appropriate and economically relevant training and economic reintegration opportunities can be sought for the children. 
• The project will be implemented mainly in MMC, Jere, and Mafa Local Government areas, among other neighboring locations in Borno state.

About the Project

• The overall objective for the “Supporting the SocioEconomic Reintegration of Children Associated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups including the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in North East Nigeria” project is to support the longterm reintegration of children associated with vigilante groups (CJTF) in North East Nigeria. The 12 month project, funded by the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF), is being implemented in Borno State, Nigeria. It is supported by three objectives:
  • Objective 1: To strengthen the resilience of children associated with CJTF in North East Nigeria.
  • Objective 2: To empower and support children associated with CJTF for increased employability.
  • Objective 3: To create a conducive environment and community support for the social and economic reintegration and separation of children associated with CJTF.
• The project builds Conflict sensitivity and Do No Harm principles into its wider approach. In addition, the Best Interest of the Child (BIC) principle as articulated in Article 3 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child will be the key and core guiding principle for the project.
• The project will also be carried out in an inclusive and genderpositive manner by prioritizing full and equal participation for girls and young women in the project activities, identifying gender dynamics of the conflict and the context of the communities, as well as adapting female participation strategies to ensure that girls are fully represented and substantively engaged.
• The project will also be guided by the Paris Principles and Guidelines on Children formerly associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups which promote an inclusive and communitybased approach to reintegration, including communitybased enterprise development for economic empowerment can that help minimize the impact  of stigmatization and tensions on children.

Roles and Responsibilties

• Consultant is responsible for collecting, analyzing and evaluating local data on existing and potential markets in Borno
• Identify and monitor competitors and research market conditions or changes that may affect sales. Study and report on the attractiveness and the dynamics of potential new local and export markets
• Identify the needs and demands of the local markets within the project communities.

Key activities, will include but are not limited to:

• Designing research projects, preparing questionnaires and samples analyses data, preparing reports, and presenting findings and recommendations to management
• Identification and assessments of the local artisans/small business owners in targeted communities
• Providing of data required for business’ sales plan, which aims to focus its resources on improving the sales and gaining an advantage over competitors
• Carrying out of industry analysis and global environmental analysis, and analyses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the business
• Analysis of marketing metrics to identify cause and effect relationships
• Evaluation of demographics, prices, distribution channels and marketing outlets
• Forecasting of marketing and sales trends
• Gathering data about consumers, competitors and market conditions
• Findings of the market analysis will inform the curriculum of the apprenticeships and microenterprise training planned on the project, as well as the selection of selfemployment and wageemployment businesses opportunities for reintegrated children. Findings from this market analysis, beyond being used to inform programme planning and implementation, will be shared widely with project participants and partners, and presented during SFCG Nigeria programs.
• The market analysis report - with sensitive details redacted - will eventually be published on SFCG’s website and shared with other learning networks in order to enhance the broader field of economic reintegration and peacebuilding in Nigeria and the world.

Methodology:

• The market analysis will adopt a mixed approach methodology, comprising of both qualitative and quantitative methods.
• The market analysis will primarily utilize a community based survey; however for triangulation and indepth understanding of the findings of the survey, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews will also be utilized.
• The market analysis will target community residents in the locations where the project is being implemented as listed above and as logistically feasible.

Deliverables
The market analysis deliverables are:

• An inception report detailing the proposed method, study matrix, data collection tools and work plan. It is to be approved by SFCG before starting data collection.
• Draft report for review by SFCG staff and other stakeholders.
• Final Report (maximum 30 pages, excluding appendices), consisting of, but not limited to: Executive Summary, Methodology, Findings and Analysis, Conclusions, Lessons Learned and Recommendations. The report should be structured according to the evaluation questions.
• A 3pages summary with key findings and recommendations.
• Appendices, including data collection tools and list of interviewees.
• A power point presentation of the report.

Qualifications
Education:

• Graduate degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Business Administration, or related disciplines

Required Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ work experience in livelihoods and market research in a reputable manufacturing, retail, wholesale company or trade and industry associations, market research firms, advertising agencies, governmental or private nonprofit agencies
• Experience in market research relating to local economies, livelihoods, and indigenous businesses.

Other Relevant Requirements:

• Demonstrated knowledge of consumer behavior, psychology & sociology
• Experience with mixed methods
• Strong analytical skills, highly numerate with excellent knowledge of statistics and data analysis
• Excellent written communication and report writing skills in English
• Prior work experience in North East Nigeria  
• Ability to communicate fluently in Hausa and Kanuri
• Ability to be flexible with time and work schedule
• Membership of related professional bodies such as the Nigeria Market Research Association will be an added advantage

Logistical Support

• SFCG will provide the following logistical support to the consultant;
• Transmission of background materials (project proposal, meeting notes, etc.)
• Availability of meeting rooms in Maiduguri
• Meeting arrangements with stakeholders and beneficiaries as requested by the consultant
• Support of a SFCG Field Officer for introductions to key stakeholders and equivalent

Timeframe:

• The market analysis will take place between July and August, 2018, with the final deliverables due end of 31st August, 2018.