Peace and Security Associate at International Alert

Location: Abuja (with possible travel to field locations)
Duration: Up to 3 months with potential for extension
Contract Type: Consultancy
Reports to: National Team Lead

Background

The project supports the harmonisation of national disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR) frameworks in Nigeria, aligning with international standards and promoting inclusive peace and security. Sustaining such efforts requires robust, ongoing peace and security analysis to inform evidence-based planning, mitigate emerging risks, and foster preventive responses to violence and instability.

To support these objectives, the Peace and Security Associate will provide analytical, coordination, and technical support to the Peace and Security Expert and the wider project team.

Purpose of the Assignment

The Peace and Security Associate will assist in gathering, analysing, and interpreting data related to peace and security trends, conflict dynamics, and stakeholder developments. The role will ensure timely inputs into strategic decision-making, early warning, and project responsiveness, while also supporting stakeholder coordination and peace architecture strengthening at local and national levels.

3. Key Responsibilities

Security and Conflict Trend Monitoring

• Support the collation and analysis of real-time conflict data, security incidents, and peacebuilding activities across project sites.
• Maintain a security trends dashboard and produce regular summaries of key issues and developments.
• Monitor and flag potential threats, shifts in conflict dynamics, or areas requiring urgent peacebuilding intervention.
• Map local peace infrastructures, community protection systems, and conflict early warning mechanisms.

Strategic Analysis and Reporting

• Assist in preparing analytical briefs, situation updates, and background notes on security-related developments.
• Support the drafting of policy-relevant technical reports and updates that feed into strategic planning and risk mitigation.
• Contribute to developing scenario analyses and contingency planning.
• Ensure that field insights are translated into programmatic recommendations.

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Assist the Peace and Security Expert in coordinating with local security actors, civil society peace actors, and traditional conflict resolution mechanisms.
• Document minutes of security coordination meetings and follow up on agreed action points.
• Support the logistics and facilitation of security consultations, conflict analysis workshops, and scenario planning exercises.

Technical and Operational Support

• Provide research support on security, peacebuilding, and DDR best practices.
• Assist in updating and maintaining a stakeholder mapping database on peace and security actors.
• Work with the Research and MEL teams to align peace and security indicators with project monitoring frameworks.
• Support the preparation of presentations and visual materials for peace and security dialogue sessions.

Expected Deliverables

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Security Studies, or related discipline. Master’s degree is an added advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 2–4 years of relevant experience supporting peace and security programming, security analysis, or conflict prevention.
• Experience working with multi-stakeholder projects in fragile or conflict-affected contexts is desirable.
• Familiarity with DDR, community security, and early warning systems is a plus.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical, writing, and documentation skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights.
• Good knowledge of local, national, and regional peace and security dynamics in Nigeria.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data visualization tools.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• High ethical standards and sensitivity to conflict contexts.