Peace and Security Expert at International Alert

Location: Abuja-Nigeria with potential field visits to Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Benue, and potentially South-East Nigeria)
Duration: Up to 3 months with possibility for extension
Type of Engagement: Individual Consultant
Reporting to: National Team Lead and DDR Expert

Background

The evolving insecurity in Nigeria—driven by banditry, insurgency, armed criminality, and inter-communal violence—has led to the proliferation of disjointed disengagement initiatives, often lacking coordination and strategic oversight. To address this, the Government of Nigeria is leading the development of a DDR policy and strategy
This initiative aims to harmonise diverse federal and state-level approaches, institutionalise DDR within Nigeria’s security governance architecture, and align national practice with UN Integrated DDR Standards (IDDRS) and African Union DDR frameworks.
A Policy, Results and Strategy Development Expert is sought to support the design and drafting of the national DDR framework and provide technical support on strategic planning, results-based management, and policy integration.

Objective of the Assignment

The consultant will provide expert technical guidance and strategic direction to ensure that the project’s interventions and policy outputs are grounded in solid peace and security analysis, conflict sensitivity, international best practice on DDR, and the political realities of Nigeria’s security environment.

The Peace and Security Expert will also play a vital role in strengthening the capacity of relevant institutions, developing tools for screening and reintegration, and supporting the alignment of DDR, counter-terrorism, and transitional justice frameworks.

Scope of Work and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the National Project Lead and working closely with other stakeholders, the consultant will be expected to:

Strategic and Technical Advisory

• Provide technical guidance on the design and implementation of a National DDR Policy, Legal and Operational Framework.
• Support the alignment of DDR strategies with Nigeria’s Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, the National Action Plan on PCVE, and relevant international standards (e.g. UN IDDRS, AU DDR frameworks).
• Advise on the integration of peacebuilding, justice, and security reform principles into DDR programming.

Peace and Security Analysis

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of peace and conflict dynamics in target regions, including patterns of armed group activity, security actor responses, community perceptions, and reintegration barriers.
• Map state-level DDR initiatives, amnesty experiences, and security policies to inform harmonisation processes.
• Analyse the socio-political drivers of recruitment and re-engagement into violent groups.

Design of Tools and Operational Frameworks

• Co-develop screening and vetting frameworks, including criteria for low-, medium- and high-risk categorisation of disengaged combatants.
• Contribute to the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for reception, rehabilitation, risk assessment, and reintegration.
• Support the design of monitoring and risk mitigation protocols for DDR and rehabilitation centres.

Knowledge Generation and Learning

• Document lessons learned, emerging practices, and case studies from Nigeria and comparable contexts to inform adaptive programming.
• Draft policy briefs and analytical papers to feed into national DDR learning platforms and global policy processes.

Key Deliverables

• Inception Report outlining methodology, workplan, and stakeholder mapping.
• Peace and Conflict Landscape Report with security dynamics across target states.
• Policy and Strategy Advisory Notes for national DDR framework development.
• Screening and Classification Toolkits including SOPs and risk-tiering templates.
• Inputs into National DDR Policy and Strategy Document (technical drafts).
• Documentation of Learning Events and Consultations.
•  Final Technical Report summarising key achievements, lessons, and recommendations.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• Advanced degree (PhD) in Peace and Conflict Studies, Security Studies, International Relations, Law, or related field.

Professional Experience:

• At least 10 years of experience in peacebuilding, DDR, security sector reform, or conflict transformation in fragile or post-conflict contexts.
• Demonstrable experience advising national governments or international institutions on DDR, counter-terrorism, PCVE, or reintegration frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of the Nigerian context including security architecture, non-state armed actors, local reconciliation dynamics, and state-citizen relations.
• Experience in legal and policy analysis, especially related to DDR, amnesty, or criminal justice systems.

Competencies:

• Strategic thinker with strong political acumen and ability to navigate complex, multi-actor environments.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
• Proven facilitation and capacity-building experience.
• Fluency in English required; working knowledge of Hausa or other local languages is an asset.