Conflict Sensitivity and Security Advisor at ActionAid Nigeria

Purpose

• The Conflict Sensitivity and Security Advisor will provide high-level technical expertise and advisory support to the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership (RWVL-Nigeria) project to ensure that all project strategies, interventions, partnerships, and engagements are conflict-sensitive and context-responsive.
• The Advisor will lead and guide comprehensive conflict sensitivity analyses at national and state levels, identify conflict drivers and peacebuilding opportunities, and ensure that RWVL programming is designed and implemented in ways that ‘do no harm’ and strengthen social cohesion.
• The role includes reviewing existing security programs; conducting comprehensive analysis of present and anticipated threats, providing time sensitive on-the-ground advice, advise on systems to mitigate risk and potential threats against the RWVL and the organization.
• The Advisor will assist in ensuring that programs remain responsive to Nigeria’s evolving security and social dynamics, especially in fragile and conflict-affected areas program locations.
• The Consultant will work closely with the Project Manager, MERL team, partners, and relevant stakeholders to integrate conflict-sensitive approaches across the project lifecycle. Expertise in gender analysis and understanding of the intersection between gender inequality and conflict dynamics will be a strong added advantage.
• The RWVL Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, is a five-year initiative aimed at strengthening women’s rights organizations, networks, and movements in Nigeria to advance gender equality and women’s rights.

Key Responsibilities
Conflict Sensitivity Analysis and Advisory:

• Lead the design and conduct of comprehensive conflict sensitivity analyses at national and RWVL Project States.
• Map key conflict drivers, actors, risks, and peacebuilding opportunities relevant to RWVL thematic areas.
• Analyze how gender inequality, structural exclusion, and power dynamics intersect with conflict dynamics.
• Develop context-specific conflict sensitivity briefs and advisory notes for RWVL interventions.
• Provide practical recommendations to ensure that project activities do not exacerbate tensions and are aligned with “Do No Harm” principles.

Integration of Conflict Sensitivity into RWVL Programming:

• Support the integration of conflict sensitivity findings into annual workplans, partner selection processes, and implementation strategies.
• Review project documents (PIP, PMF, Governance Framework, partner proposals, etc.) to ensure alignment with conflict-sensitive programming principles.
• Advise on mitigation measures for identified risks within the project’s risk management framework.
• Support the incorporation of conflict-sensitive indicators within the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) system.

Capacity Building and Technical Support:

• Develop user-friendly guidance tools on conflict sensitivity for RWVL staff and partners.
• Facilitate training sessions and technical workshops for national networks and Women Rights Organizations, Networks and CBOs on conflict sensitivity, Do No Harm approaches and security risk management.
• Strengthen partner capacity to conduct basic conflict mapping and context monitoring.
• Provide ongoing advisory support during sensitive advocacy, policy engagement, and movement-building activities.

Security Information Gathering and Risk analysis:

• Conduct vulnerability assessments on facilities, venues and operations, identifying potential threats, and recommend security measures.
• Monitor the security environment, analyse data, and provide updates to leadership to inform decisions.
• Carry out travel security risk assessment for project staff and build local networks.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, law enforcement, and local authorities to ensure a safe, compliant environment.

Gender and Conflict Analysis (Added Advantage):

• Apply gender analysis frameworks to examine how conflict affects women, girls, and structurally excluded groups differently.
• Support integration of feminist conflict analysis approaches within RWVL programming.
• Ensure that conflict analysis reflects intersectional realities, including women with disabilities, women in conflict-affected communities, young feminists, and other marginalized groups.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Produce a comprehensive Conflict Sensitivity Analysis Report (national and state-level as applicable).
• Develop concise policy briefs and advisory notes for management decision-making.
• Present findings and recommendations to RWVL Project Steering Committee and relevant stakeholders.
• Provide a final consultancy report outlining methodology, findings, risks, mitigation strategies, and recommendations.

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal:  RWVL Team and  Entire AAN staff
• External: Donor, Partners, Community, and other stakeholders.

Persons Specifications
Education / Qualifications:

• First Degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Development Studies, International Relations or other relevant Social Sciences is essential.
• Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, Security Studies is desirable.

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years’ progressive experience in conducting conflict sensitivity and conflict analysis at national and state levels.
• Proven experience applying Do No Harm and conflict-sensitive programming approaches in development or humanitarian contexts.
• Demonstrated experience in political economy analysis, stakeholder mapping and risk assessment.
• Experience working with civil society organizations, networks and movements.
• Experience facilitating participatory conflict analysis workshops and multi-stakeholder consultations.
• Strong understanding of Nigeria’s conflict dynamics and socio-political context.
• Experience integrating gender analysis and intersectional approaches into conflict analysis frameworks is desirable.
• Experience working with women’s rights organisations, feminist networks or gender equality programmes is desirable.
• Experience working on donor-funded projects, particularly institutional donors such Global Affairs Canada is desirable.

Skill/Abilities:

• Strong analytical and contextual assessment skills.
•  Excellent report writing and documentation skills.
• Ability to translate complex conflict dynamics into practical and actionable programme recommendations.
• Strong facilitation and capacity strengthening skills.
• Strong risk identification and mitigation planning skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong planning, prioritisation and organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and deliver within agreed timelines.
• Experience developing conflict-sensitive monitoring indicators and integrating them into MEL systems is desirable.
• Knowledge of feminist conflict analysis methodologies is desirable.

Personal Qualities:

• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism and accountability.
• Strong commitment to gender equality, women’s rights and social justice.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to diversity, inclusion and intersectionality.
• Ability to maintain neutrality, confidentiality and sound judgment in sensitive contexts.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse team environment.