National Conflict Analyst at Search For Common Ground’s International

Position Summary

• The National Conflict Analyst (NCA) will keep track of the unfolding social, political and conflict dynamics in Nigeria and provide real time conflict analysis.
• S/he will provide periodic and thematic conflict analysis reports to inform the program, partners, donors and other stakeholders.
• S/he will be responsible for the implementation of Search for Common Ground’s conflict-sensitivity engagements in selected project states and contribute to achieving the annual goals and objectives of Search’s Policy Analysis and Advocacy team.
• The NCA will support the National Programme Manager (NPM) in engaging potential donors, partners, and relevant government agencies, national and international actors relevant to Search’s activities. S/he will support the NPM in engagement with Search’s GAP team at the HQ, regional office on context analysis/information, policy influencing and other related issues.

Responsibilities
Conflict Analysis:

• Prepare briefings or updates based on the review and analysis of news, incident reports from the  staff and partners, interviews with key informants, and information collected from SFCG Nigeria’s  programs and early warning system; 
• Prepare specific conflict analysis reports on a periodic basis, either thematic or geographic focus  based on needs and relevance;
• Serve as a hub for reporting of incidents from staff and partners as required;
• Liaise with government, civil society, security actors, donors, media, UN bodies, and the private  sector as needed to further improve information in the reports
• Carry out specific research and studies as required;
• Contribute to the proposal and report writing processes by writing the context analysis section;
• Contribute to developing curriculum and implementing the training on “conflict sensitivity and do no  harm” to staff, partners and local stakeholders.

Policy Analysis:

• Prepare specific policy, peace and security analysis reports on a periodic basis, either thematic or  geographic focus based in the need and relevance;  
• Seek out an opportunity to build partnership with critical government, civil society, security, donor, media and private sector actors on peace and security issues in Nigeria.  
• Represent Search at national and international level engagements necessary for policy and program influence. 
• Seek out opportunity to build partnership with critical government, civil society, security, donor.

Centralized Early Warning System:

• Directly manage and nurture the transition to a fully Centralized Early Warning system Establish an Early Warning Situation Room in Abuja Office
• Coordinate the scanning of the cyber space to collate Early Warning Signals  (Online) using ICT applications such as the Talk walker
• Work with the early warning coordinators and community focal persons on projects to collate real time early warning information for analysis
• Establish and maintain a data repository platform for dissemination of information or periodic reports with partners. 
• Maintain a database of security incidents and other significant developments related to farmer – herder conflicts, banditry, violent extremist groups, religious freedom and persecution and other issues of interest.

Reporting and Supervision:

• The National Conflict Analyst reports to the National Program Manager and works in close collaboration with other members of the Senior Management Team, Technical leads such as Design, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager, the Security Coordinator, Project Associate, Communications Coordinator, Media Manager etc.
• The position is based in Abuja with frequent travels to the fields.

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities. 

Requirements

• University Degree in Social Sciences, Conflict and Peace Studies, Journalism, or related field is required.
• Master's Degree in the aforementioned fields is desirable.

Required Experience:

• Five years of relevant work experience and three years specific work experience in conflict analysis is required
• Qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis skills and experience are required
• Superior written and oral communication skills in English
• Proficiency at using Microsoft office software: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc. is required
• Attention to detail and ability to follow up on tasks to completion is required
• Ability to work autonomously and take initiative to generate valuable findings and communicate them in a timely manner.
• Ability to efficiently create and send reports during critical times or deadlines
• Prior experience in advocacy, liaison and collaboration with donors, partners, security agencies, relevant government agencies, security forces and media is desirable.
• Experience working in a conflict (hard to reach) environment is a plus.

Other Relevant Competencies:

• Accountability: Being accountable and passing on accountability for one's own actions and those of colleagues and the organization. 
• Attention to detail: The ability to process detailed information effectively and consistently
• Collaboration: The ability to work effectively with others in order to achieve a shared goal - even when the object at stake is of no direct personal interest possibilities. 
• Creativity: The ability to come up with original and innovative ideas and solutions, to adopt points of view outside the usual parameters. 
• Focus on Quality: Setting high quality standards and striving for continuous improvement and quality assurance. 
• Learning Ability: The ability to absorb new information readily and to put it into practice effectively
• Adaptability: The ability to remain fully functional by adapting to changing circumstances (environment, procedures and people).