Lead Consultant – Peace and Conflict Analysis (PCA), Sokoto State at International Alert

International Alert works with people directly affected by conflict to improve prospects for peace by addressing the structural and proximate causes of violence. In Sokoto State, evolving conflict dynamics linked to climate stress, competition over natural resources, gender inequality, youth exclusion, weak service delivery, and governance challenges continue to undermine stability and development outcomes.

To ensure conflict sensitive and peace positive programming, International Alert intends to undertake a comprehensive Peace and Conflict Analysis (PCA). The PCA will systematically analyse conflict drivers, actors, trends, and dynamics alongside existing peace factors and opportunities. It will also integrate a gender sensitive and inclusion lens, with specific focus on climate, women and youth economic empowerment, WASH, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and gender based violence (GBV).

The findings will inform programme design, adaptation and implementation, ensuring interventions go beyond Do No Harm to actively contribute to conditions that support sustainable peace, inclusive governance and strengthened trust between communities and institutions.

Purpose and Objectives of the Assignment

The overall purpose of the consultancy is to conduct a structured and context specific Peace and Conflict Analysis of Sokoto State to inform conflict sensitive programme implementation.

Specific objectives include:

• Analyse the conflict profile, root causes, triggers and trends in Sokoto State.
• Identify and map key conflict and peace actors, including power dynamics, relationships and influence.
• Examine the interaction between conflict dynamics and core project sectors, particularly climate change, women and youth economic empowerment, WASH, SRHR and GBV.
• Apply a gender sensitive and intersectional lens, examining differentiated impacts on women, men, girls, boys and marginalised groups.
• Identify existing peace capacities, local conflict resolution mechanisms and governance structures that can be strengthened.
• Provide practical, actionable recommendations to integrate conflict sensitivity across the project lifecycle and maximise peacebuilding outcomes.

Scope of Work

The Lead Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

Desk Review

• Review relevant literature, policies, assessments and previous studies on conflict, peacebuilding and development in Sokoto State and North West Nigeria.
• Review project documents to understand objectives, approaches and assumptions.

Methodology Design

• Develop a robust, participatory and conflict sensitive PCA methodology.
• Ensure integration of gender sensitivity, safeguarding and ethical research principles.
• Submit an inception report outlining methodology, tools, timeline and stakeholder engagement plan.

Field Data Collection

• Conduct key informant interviews with government actors, traditional and religious leaders, civil society, women and youth groups, service providers and security actors.
• Facilitate focus group discussions disaggregated by gender, age and other relevant social factors.
• Ensure inclusive engagement of marginalised and at risk groups.

Conflict and Peace Analysis

• Analyse conflict drivers related to climate stress, resource competition, governance, social exclusion and service delivery.
• Map actors, alliances, power relations and institutional roles.
• Identify connectors and dividers, peace assets and opportunities.
• Examine risks and opportunities related to project sectors including WASH, SRHR, GBV and livelihoods.

Recommendations and Validation

• Develop clear, practical recommendations for conflict sensitive and peace positive programming.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen inclusive governance, local conflict resolution mechanisms and community institution trust.
• Facilitate a validation workshop with key stakeholders to test findings and refine recommendations.

Updating and Use of PCA

• Propose a framework for regularly updating the PCA throughout project implementation.
• Provide guidance on translating findings into adaptive management and decision making.

Key Deliverables

• Inception report including methodology and workplan.
• Draft Peace and Conflict Analysis report.
• Stakeholder validation workshop report.
• Final PCA report incorporating feedback.
• Practical conflict sensitivity guidance note for programme staff.

Duration and Level of Effort

The assignment is expected to last 20–25 working days over a period of 6–8 weeks, including desk review, fieldwork, analysis and reporting.

Management and Reporting

The Lead Consultant will report to the Programme Manager, International Alert Nigeria and work closely with project and MEAL teams.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, International Development, Political Science, Social Sciences or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience conducting peace and conflict analyses or political economy analyses in fragile and conflict affected contexts.
• Strong expertise in conflict sensitivity, Do No Harm and peacebuilding methodologies.
• Proven experience integrating gender, youth and inclusion analysis into conflict assessments.
• Demonstrated understanding of climate conflict, livelihoods, WASH, SRHR and GBV in conflict settings.
• Experience working in North West Nigeria is a strong advantage.
• Excellent analytical, facilitation and writing skills.

Ethical Considerations

The consultant must adhere to International Alert’s safeguarding, ethical research and data protection policies, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality and conflict sensitivity throughout the assignment.