Conflict Data Analyst at UNDP

Job Identification: 10257

Background

• Insecurity in the North West (NW) region of Nigeria - especially Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto is characterized by a complex blend of communal conflicts, farmer-herder conflict, armed banditry and organized crime.
• These conflict drivers are further amplified by demographic pressure, relative deprivation, perceptions of economic exclusion and climate-induced risks. While numerous peace agreements and amnesties including in Sokoto and Zamfara provided some short-term stability, violence that resurged in the North West, especially in 2020 poses a significant stability risk to the region and country as a whole. In Katsina and Kaduna States for example, organized communal violence and banditry attacks tripled from April to June 2021 and at least 80,150 and 67,192 people respectively are now in IDP camps with many more urbanely displaced. 
• UNDP is engaged in the North West of Nigeria through an integrated conflict prevention program comprising of three interrelated projects.
• Firstly, the “Strengthening Local And State Level Peace Architectures For Peacebuilding and Prevention in Katsina and Kaduna States of North West Nigeria Project” with funding from the Secretary General’s Peacebuilding Fund Project aims to reinforce non-military responses to conflict and insecurity in Kaduna and Katsina States by strengthening existing infrastructures for peace, providing safe spaces for inclusive (inter-and-intra)-community dialogue, enhancing the resilience of communities directly affected by conflict through the provision of psychosocial support and increasing access to sustainable livelihoods.
• The inter-agency project is implemented jointly by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women and International Organization for Migration (IOM), with UNDP being the coordinating agency.
• Additionally, UNDP has entered into a UN-to-UN agreement with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN OHCHR).
• Secondly, to foster resilience against climate and security risks, the North West Climate-Peace Hubs: A Climate Security Approach to Conflict Prevention project, with funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will through a conflict-sensitive manner contribute towards:
  • Improved access to data supporting decision-making for anticipatory actions to climate and conflict risks
  • Increased access conflict sensitive and climate resilient livelihoods and green jobs and
  • Strengthened systems and practices for communal management of natural resources. The project pilot states are Katsina and Sokoto, with focus on borderland areas.
• Thirdly, the Preventative Action Facility funded by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs catalyzes timely, collaborative, and decisive, State led, cross-state and cross-border prevention efforts to the front line states of Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina.
• The aim is to prevent the region from descending into loss of governance control over large swaths of territory, a possible humanitarian crisis and a new foothold for regional violent extremist actors with grave implications to Nigeria’s security.
• The three projects are interrelated and mutually supplementary, but with different focus areas and approaches.

Scope of Work

• Under the direct supervision of the Conflict & Political Economy Specialist, the Conflict Data Analyst will be responsible for the following functions and tasks:

Summary of Key Functions:

• Conduct timely research and data analysis of conflict trends through collecting, analyzing and visualizing conflict related data.
• Support evidence-based knowledge management and information sharing, including monitoring & evaluation (M&E).
• Support evidence-based development and implementation of programme strategies.

Conduct timely research and data analysis of conflict trends through collecting, analyzing and visualizing conflict related data:

• Conduct regular and comprehensive analysis of the conflict trends in the Northwest and other zones and states as required, including emerging trends and maintain an up to date understanding conflict-related developments in the region(s);
• Collate, verify, analyze and monitor data on conflict actors, drivers, trends and impacts;
• Support data analysis of primary and secondary data relevant to the project, including survey data and environment related data;
• Produce data visualization products, including dashboards, for  information sharing and reporting of analyses undertaken ensuring alignment to overall project objectives.

Support the application of appropriate methodologies for data collection and management in the M&E of UNDP projects in the NW:

• Apply appropriate methodologies for data collection for baseline determination, assessments and planning;
• Apply a conflict and gender sensitive approach in project activities related to data collection, analysis and visualization.

Support evidence-based development and implementation of programme strategies:

• Provide technical inputs for developing and updating programme strategies with focus on data, evidence and monitoring;
• Support formulation of a detailed implementation plan of the identified interventions based on verifiable data, in accordance with UNDP’s rules and regulations.

Institutional Arrangement:

• The Conflict Data Analyst will report to the Conflict & Political Economy Specialist.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Master's Degree in International Development/Relations, Economics, Business Management, Political Science, or other related fields. 
• First-level University Degree (Bachelor's) in relevant field with two additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:

• At least 2 years of experience in conducting research and analysis in areas of peace-building, conflict prevention or climate security;
• Demonstrated expertise in analyzing data pertaining to conflict trends and dynamics in Nigeria, and the ability to identify correlations with other socioeconomic and climate related data;
• Proficient in developing, updating and monitoring interactive dashboards and other data visualization products. Ability to use GIS software to create maps strongly preferred;
• Knowledge of primary data collection methodologies including experience with development of survey instruments and analysis of survey results;
• Experience with diverse projects in complex environments, involving multi-disciplinary teams, broad ranges of stakeholders, and within volatile security situations is strongly preferred;
• Previous working experience with UNDP and other UN agencies is highly desirable.

Competencies:
Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Functional / Technical competencies:
Business Management:

• Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. 

Business Management:

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Business Management: Portfolio Management

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization's programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; 
• Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.

Business Direction & Strategy:

• System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Direction & Strategy:

• Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources.

Business Direction & Strategy:

• Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates 'win-win' situations. 

Business Development: Integration within the UN

• Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work;
• Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations.

Required skills:

• Innovation
• Communication
• People Management.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. 
• Ability to communicate effectively in Hausa, or any other local language spoken in the NW region is an asset.