Associate Legal and Justice Expert at International Alert

Location: Abuja, Nigeria (with field travel as required)
Duration: Up to 3 months with possibility for extension
Contract Type: Consultancy
Reports to: National Team Lead

Background

The National DDR initiative aims to support the Nigerian government in developing harmonised and rights-based frameworks that enable the disengagement, demobilisation, and sustainable reintegration of individuals associated with armed violence and non-state armed groups. Central to this is the development of legal and justice frameworks that are credible, restorative, and aligned with national and international human rights and DDR standards.

The Associate Legal and Justice Expert will play a crucial supporting role in embedding legal thinking, justice accountability mechanisms, and transitional justice considerations throughout the programme. Working under the supervision of the Lead Justice and Legal Expert, the Associate Expert will support research, stakeholder engagement, legal drafting, and knowledge management on justice-related aspects of DDR.

Purpose of the Role

To support the legal and justice dimensions of DDR policy and strategy development, ensuring practical integration of legal ideas into programme design, advocacy, training, and implementation. The Associate Expert will contribute to legal research, analysis of justice practices, preparation of policy documents, and liaison with relevant national institutions and actors.

Duties and Responsibilities

Legal Research and Analysis

• Conduct background research on Nigerian and international legal frameworks relevant to DDR, reintegration, restorative justice, and transitional justice.
• Assist in mapping institutional mandates and justice practices across participating states.
• Analyse existing laws, draft comparative legal notes, and support the harmonisation process.
• Track relevant legal developments and emerging jurisprudence that may impact DDR operations.

Technical Support to Legal Integration

• Assist the Lead Expert in developing legal guidelines and safeguards for reintegration categories.
• Support the drafting and review of legal inputs into national DDR policies, SOPs, and reintegration manuals.
• Review community justice mechanisms and identify points of intersection with formal systems.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Help coordinate meetings with justice institutions (e.g., judiciary, ministries of justice, legal aid councils).
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, and background notes for legal consultations and working groups.
• Document outcomes of legal stakeholder sessions and consultations.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Products

• Assist in developing legal training materials for prosecutors, legal aid officers, and reintegration personnel.
• Contribute to learning sessions, simulations, and justice-focused policy dialogues.
• Draft concise technical briefs and legal summaries to inform programme activities.

Support for Legal Documentation and Reporting

• Compile and organise legal references, resources, and precedents relevant to DDR.
• Draft sections of technical and legal reports as assigned by the Lead Expert.
• Ensure legal inputs are well integrated into wider programme documentation and communication.

Key Deliverables

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• University degree in Law, Human Rights, or related discipline. A Master’s degree (LL.M or equivalent) is highly desirable.

Experience

• At least 5–7 years of experience in legal analysis, justice reform, human rights, or transitional justice.
• Experience working with or within national justice institutions or civil society organisations.
• Familiarity with DDR, peacebuilding, or reintegration programmes is an asset.
• Understanding of community-based and informal justice systems is desirable.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to draft policy, technical and legal documents.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to coordinate with diverse stakeholders.
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Hausa or other local languages is an advantage.

Reporting Line and Performance Management

The Associate Legal and Justice Expert will report to the National Team Lead and work closely with the Legal and Justice Expert (DDR). Performance will be reviewed quarterly based on agreed outputs and contribution to programme objectives.