Job Openings at Search For Common Ground’s International

Position Summary

• Search is seeking an experienced Early Warning and Early Response Coordinator for a 6-months project for a No Cost Extension funded by the European Union. The project will be implemented in consortium with co-applicants with the overall goal of fostering inclusive community security approaches to address the systemic drivers of violence and criminality in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States. The role is expected to lead the implementation of early warning and early response activities in Bayelsa State. S/he will be based in Bayelsa state and coordinate the early warning and early response component of the project.
• She/He will be expected to coordinate early warning observers in Bayelsa state, confirm and analyze reports and prepare monthly reports. S/he will work closely with the community EWER structures in the implementation of early warning and Conflict prevention activities. The position will report to the Consortium Coordinator and will work closely with the Head of Programme Implementation, Project team and other country-level support staff. He shall have a dotted line reporting channel to the National Conflict and Policy Analyst, EWER Consultant in Abuja to feed data into the Centralised EWER Database. The position holder will be based in Bayalsa State.
• The EWER Coordinator is expected to bring to the role proven experience and skills in Early Warning and Early Response, conflict transformation, conflict resolution, conflict sensitivity and do no harm (DNH) principles. The candidate will have skills in coordinating efforts aimed at transforming criminality, mitigation of violence and criminality and supporting community-based Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) initiatives. The position holder will partner with civil society, security and government actors to institutionalize strategies and approaches that will build community capacity and skills to address social cohesion, lack of economic opportunity and environment degradation and foster sustainable peace. Additionally, the role will ensure that conflicts identified through the EWER mechanism supported by the Project feed into established Peace Architectures and multi-stakeholder forums for dispute resolution and higher-level policy change and create open and neutral spaces for stakeholders, community members and leaders to identify collective solutions.

The Project

• The anticipated project will bring together four leading peacebuilding and development organisations in the Niger Delta, in a consortium aimed at providing a holistic, community-centred approach to addressing core drivers of criminality, violence, and conflict in the region, with a specific focus on the empowerment and inclusion of youth in the security of their respective communities in the Niger Delta. The consortium partners will leverage existing relationships with the action’s diverse target groups, including at-risk youth, local communities impacted by oil production and oil bunkering, state security actors, the private sector, journalists and media actors, key civil society organisations, and policymakers at the state, regional, national, and international levels, to secure broad-based buy-in and participation in the action. Overall, the project will seek to initiate a shift in the way that relevant actors think about and approach issues of oil bunkering, criminality, and security in the Niger Delta in favour of more bottom-up, human-centred perspectives. This institutional and social shift is necessary in order to sustainably reduce the prevalence of oil bunkering and other forms of criminality and violence in the region in the long-term.

The Design Of The Action Centres Around Four Activity Streams, Each Addressing a Systemic Driver Of Division, Violence, And Criminality In Bayelsa, Rivers, And Delta States

• Stream 1 will foster intra-community collaboration around issues of social exclusion, lack of economic opportunity, and environmental degradation.
• Stream 2 will build trust and collaboration between communities and government and security actors for more participatory, community-centred security operations.
• Stream 3 will leverage arts- and culture-based approaches to foster social cohesion between divided communities both online and offline.
• Stream 4 will facilitate policy change to institutionalise community-centred security approaches at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels.

The position will be based in Bayelsa State.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Has the responsibility for managing the Early Warning System (EWS) and integrated hub in Bayelsa state with guidance from the National Conflict and Policy Analyst, Head of Programme Implementation and Consortium Manager.
• Organize monthly meetings with Community Observers (COs) and quarterly meetings with Community-Level Peace Architecture (CPA) in Bayelsa State.
• Ensure that the EW system receives daily SMS/voice incident reports from COs, CPAs and other stakeholders and ensure that such reports are documented on the system and analyzed in real-time and disseminated to actors and communities for immediate response.
• Ensure that all incident reports and early warning signs and indicators are fed into the centralized Search Conflict early warning and early response platform in Abuja.
• Collate and develop weekly Early Warning System (EWS) reports/analysis and a Monthly update to be shared with donors and other stakeholders.
• Develop a bimonthly EWS bulletin to share in printed and electronic copies to local actors, government and stakeholders, including NGOs.
• Coordinate the convening of the Project’s Peace Architecture Platforms, comprising of the Community level, LGA level and State level platforms for Early Warning and Early Response
• Participate and share analysis of EWS reports with LPAs and SPA members.
• Document key success stories from the EWS reports, incidents and/or responses of actors and stakeholders linked to the reports received from the system.
• Provide programmatic and logistic support and assistance to the Consortium Manager and Head of Programme Implementation.
• Serve as a link and intermediary between Search for Common Ground and local communities and partners.
• Facilitate and organize field visits for Search staff, visitors, and donors to local communities
• Contribute to the preparation of contractual and non-contractual reports
• Participate in research and support project implementation and development
• Work with program staff in the development and continuous improvement of systems
• Provide necessary support to implementing partners and the government under the supervision of the project manager
• Provide weekly and monthly progress reports to the supervisor and the management team

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

Core Competencies

• Demonstrate integrity and promote Search values and ethical standards;
• Promote the vision, mission, and strategic objectives of Search;
• Demonstrate capacity to adapt to a multi-cultural context, tolerance, and respect for issues related to gender, religion, race, and nationality;
• Proficiency in the use of MS Office is required
• Proficiency in data analytics and the use of EWER tracking tools
• Demonstrate capacity in developing concept notes and Terms of Reference for hiring consultants on Early Warning and Early Response.

Education

• A degree or Post graduate degree in conflict resolution, peace studies, peacebuilding, conflict management, or relevant field;
• Additional education in conflict management, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution will be an advantage.

Required Experience

• At least five (5) years of experience in early warning and conflict management or related fields
• Have led implementation of similar Early Warning and Early Response initiatives in Nigeria and the Niger Delta Region
• In-depth knowledge of the Niger Delta region.
• Relevant experience working in the non-profit and NGO sector or institutions providing conflict early warning and early response services.
• Experience with conflict analysis tools;
• Substantial experience working with government officials, NGOs and communities;
• Experience writing reports and project proposals;
• Understanding of the social, political and economic context of the Niger Delta region and how it impacts on conflict drivers and conflict in Bayelsa, state and targeted communities;
• Knowledge and experience in computers and crowd mapping software;

Other Relevant Requirements

• Good knowledge of the local languages will be an asset.
• Knowledge of civil society organizations, government agencies, private sector companies, and international development agencies, with experience of working in partnership within some of these sectors;
• Experience in partnership building, with experience in influencing stakeholders and establishing and maintaining strong partnerships;
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and strong interpersonal skills;
• Commitment to Search’s aims and a clear understanding of the links between policy, lobbying, campaigning, and how policy change can be achieved through effective advocacy;
• Ability to identify issues and to use sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems;
• Good knowledge of the political, economic and social dimensions of Niger Delta region
• Ability to work under extreme pressure in a highly stressful environment;
• Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the EW/ER field;
• Basics financial management skills;
• Knowledge of other languages spoken in the states will be an advantage;
• Strong command of English language, with excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal communication skills;
• A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace; and
• Ability to prioritize, plan and organize workflow to tight timeframes, handle multiple tasks, and be flexible with changing priorities.

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The Project

Search has implemented a 24-month project and is currently in the 2nd month of its No-Cost Extension period with an overall goal to empower women religious actors and youth activists to promote Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and Inter- and Intra-religious peaceful coexistence in Plateau and Kaduna States.
The overall goal is supported by two specific objectives and the four expected results, to guide the project’s activities. Below are the objectives;

• Specific Objective 1: To strengthen the capacity of women religious leaders and youth activists to play an active role in promoting FoRB and peaceful coexistence across different beliefs
• Expected Result 1.1: Target women religious leaders and young religious activists have greater skills and tools to promote FoRB and inter- and intra-religious coexistence in their communities.
• Expected Result 1.2: Target women religious leaders and young religious activists have an increased role in enhancing inter- and intra-faith coexistence at the community level.
• Specific Objective 2: To contribute to a social and policy environment that is conducive to inclusive FoRB efforts.
• Expected Result 2.1: High-level policymakers and religious leaders in target states have an enhanced understanding of the importance of and capacities to support inclusive FoRB and intra- and inter-religious engagement efforts.
• Expected Result 2.2: Citizens in target communities have increased access to information and narratives that positively shift norms and attitudes on FoRB, intra and interreligious engagement, and women and youth’s role in promoting religious coexistence.

Search combined an iterative series of monitoring and quarterly FoRB reports, FoRB and Common Ground Advocacy training for youth and women leaders, training for women religious leaders and youth activists on CGA for religious engagement, women and youth-facilitated interfaith solidarity activities, advocacy visits with high-level faith leaders and policymakers, University sensitizations amongst others to meet the project goal and objectives.

Our Theory Of Change Is Premised On

IF women religious leaders and youth FoRB activists have increased capacities and opportunities to promote FoRB and inter- and intra-religious peaceful coexistence in Plateau and Kaduna States, and IF target communities, policymakers, and religious leaders recognise and value the importance of FoRB and women and youth’s role in sustaining it, and IF target communities experience positive interactions and narratives that foster inter and intrareligious collaboration and dispel myths and harmful stereotypes, THEN a diverse community of multi-level stakeholders can more effectively and collaboratively protect and support the rights of people of all faiths and beliefs and promote religious coexistence across target communities BECAUSEeffective FoRB and religious engagement initiatives require the support and intervention of all of society, including women and youth, to be effective and adequately incorporate the needs of all Nigerians.

Goal and Objectives of Study

• As the project enters its close-out phase, it is important, as best practice and a contractual obligation, to conduct the project's end-line assessment. This assessment will help Search understand the project’s impact and changes in the FoRB landscape across both states. Specifically, it will examine shifts in the challenges faced by women religious leaders and youth activists in promoting FoRB, assess changes in associated risks, and explore their coping mechanisms. It will also capture lessons learned from the inclusion or exclusion of these groups in advancing FoRB in the two states. The objectives of the End-line assessment are as follows:
• Evaluation of the Relevance of the Project Results: Understand whether the objectives of the project aligned with the needs and priorities of the target community and stakeholders.
• Examine the Project's Effectiveness: Determine the extent to which the project achieved its stated objectives and outcomes.
• Measure the Project’s Impacts: Examine the broader changes (positive, negative, intended, and unintended) resulting from the intervention.
• Understand the Sustainability of the Project Results: Identify barriers and factors that could affect the likelihood that the benefits of the project will continue beyond the life of the project.
• Harvest the Lessons Learned for Future Intervention: Understand what worked well, what needs to be improved, and what did not work well during the project implementation.
• Collect End-line information to assess the project’s Outcome Indicators after the project implementation and conduct a comparative analysis with the baseline information.

The study will measure the following indicators as stated above:

• Type, Overall Objective: To empower women religious actors and youth activists to promote freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) and inter and intra-religious peaceful coexistence in Plateau and Kaduna States.
• Indicator:
• % of surveyed women and youth who believe they can make a positive difference in their religious communities in Plateau and Kaduna states.
• % of surveyed people in target areas who report collaborating across religious divides on a community initiative led by women/youth religious actors.
• Specific Objective 1
• To strengthen the capacity of women religious leaders and youth activists to play an active role in promoting FoRB and peaceful coexistence across different beliefs
• Indicator:
• % of trained women religious leaders and youth activists who can cite at least one example of successfully using a conflict transformation skill learned through the action to promote FoRB and/or peaceful coexistence.
• % of women religious leaders and youth activists surveyed who take action to influence the things they care about.
• Specific Objective 2
• To contribute to a social and policy environment that is conducive to inclusive FoRB efforts.
• Indicator:
• % of trained women and youth participants who believe they have increased opportunities to access policymakers to advocate for inclusive FoRB efforts as a result of their participation in the action.
• % of trained women and youth participants who believe that they were able to achieve at least one of the goals set in their advocacy plan
• % of radio program listeners who believe that women and young people have valuable contributions to make to FoRB efforts.

Key Study questions

• The consultant is expected to collect data, analyse, and provide answers to the following research questions

Relevance

• Were the project’s outcomes aligned with the identified needs and priorities of the target community?
• Did the project address significant gaps in the context of its implementation?
• Was the intervention adaptable to changes in the operating environment?

Effectiveness

• To what extent were the project’s objectives and targets met?
• What factors contributed to or hindered the achievement of these objectives?
• Were the methods and strategies used effective in delivering results?

Impact

• What significant changes occurred in the community and the lives of beneficiaries as a result of the intervention?
• Did the project contribute to systemic or transformative changes?
• Were there any intended (positive) or unintended (negative) consequences?

Sustainability

• Are mechanisms in place to sustain the project’s benefits?
• Were local capacities and systems strengthened to maintain activities?
• Did the project integrate environmental, financial, and social sustainability considerations?

Lessons Learned

• Was the project consistent with national policies and donor interventions?
• Did it complement or duplicate the efforts of other stakeholders?
• Were synergies achieved through collaboration with other programs?
• What worked well, what did not work well, and what needs to be improved in the project implementation?
• Further Key questions of interest of the assessment include:

Understand the changes in the FoRB context in both Kaduna and Plateau states

• What are the recent FoRB and related conflict issues in Kaduna and Plateau states that have changed?
• Who are the key actors involved negatively or positively in religious-based conflicts
• What are the challenges/gaps faced at the community and state levels in advancing FoRBs in Kaduna and Plateau states, and how have these gaps been closed?

Identify changes in in dynamics of challenges, potential risks, and opportunities for women's and youths' participation in promoting FoRBs in Kaduna and Plateau states

• What are the changes in the dynamic of challenges that actors (women religious leaders, youth activists) face at the community and state levels in advancing FoRBs?
• What has changed in the potential risks for these actors’ engagements at the community and state levels?
• What are the coping mechanisms for mitigating the risks, and how have the actors supported/ engaged and presented with opportunities to further advance FoRBs at the community and state levels?

Geographic Locations

• This assessment will be conducted in Kaduna and Plateau states while using desk research to capture data from states of interest and neighbouring states that are relevant to this study. The stakeholders of interest relevant to this study will be discussed upon engagement.

Methodology and Data Collection Tools

• The consultant(s) in submitting the proposal should outline the research approach and methodology for data collection to be used, including justification for these methods related to the research objectives. The applications submitted must clearly explain why the proposed methodology is the most appropriate to achieve the study objectives. The consultant(s) must also clarify the different tools that will be used and how each of these tools will contribute to meeting the established lines of inquiry.
• The consultant(s) will be responsible for finalising the literature review, designing the final methodology, developing tools, training of enumerators, conducting data analysis, and drafting the report and actionable recommendations. Proposals should include clarity on data triangulation and key methodologies for data collection. The proposal will also include sampling strategies associated with the proposed methods, methodologies for data analysis outlined with justifications and reasoning for any key methods mentioned, Do No Harm strategies, and any proposed strategies for sharing the findings of the study.
• The final methodology and tools will be approved by Search’s Head of DMEL before data collection begins. The Search DMEL unit will participate in the training of enumerators and intermittently visit to supervise data collection in the field.

Logistical Support

• The consultant(s) will be responsible for organising their logistics for data collection (vehicles, fuel, and drivers), and this must be budgeted into the study.
• In addition, Search will share the following elements with the external consultant: background materials including the project proposal and logframe, M&E plan, background materials including the project proposal, conflict and Youth Gender analysis and relevant reports on the context, etc.

Timeline and Key Deliverables

• Timeline:
• This study will take place from 6th June 2025 to 30th June 2025, with the final deliverables due by 15th July 2025 at the latest. The final deadlines will be agreed upon by Search and the consultant upon finalisation of the contract.

Deliverables

• Search expects the following deliverables from the external consultant(s) as they correspond to the timeline and budget:
• Inception report detailing the methodology, data collection tools, Analysis plan, and timeline.
• Setting up and sharing the systems for data collection with Search.
• Oversight of data coding and training data collectors.
• Supervise and participate in field data collection, submit raw and cleaned data used for analysis to Search.
• Debrief after data collection is completed (presentation of first trends and preliminary findings).
• Use the evaluation template for reporting.
• Provides a clear connection between the conflict or context assessment and the intended and unintended results that have changed as a result of the project.
• Fully explains the objectives and research questions of the study, limitations, and methods chosen for analysis.
• Findings should respect Search’s evaluation standards, be structured around the main objectives of the study, and be presented concerning the intended target groups. The findings should speak to the link between the project, its Theory of Change, and its contribution to the project strategy. It should explain adaptations that occurred during the project and their impact on results.
• An updated version of the project Outcome indicators Table showing the project baseline, Target and the evaluation values.
• Strategic Recommendations should have a clear audience and be specific, accessible, and actionable.
• Appendices should include detailed research instruments, a list of interviewees, terms of reference, and evaluator(s) brief biography.
• 2-page summary of key findings.
• PowerPoint slides (12 slides max)

Budget

• The proposal must also include a budget offer in line with the technical offer. A detailed budget should be provided, including daily rates for personnel and costs related to data collection (per total number of people sampled, sites for collection, etc.), analysis, and production of deliverables. Also, the cost of holding data validation sessions should be included in the proposal. Note that the Budget should include all planned costs for the study, as no additional costs will be borne by Search.

Requirements Of The Consultant

• The following skills and experience are expected by Search for the selected evaluator for this evaluation:
• Proficiency in English and local languages (written and spoken).
• More than 7 years of experience in conducting conflict assessment, project evaluation, mapping, including collecting data in interviews, surveys and focus group discussions.
• Experience in conflict analysis and working with religious, human rights activists, and civil society sectors.
• Experience working with international organisations.
• Experience conducting quantitative and qualitative surveys and analysis.
• Evaluation methods and data collection skills.
• Strong analytical and report writing skills.
• Familiarity and experience with contextual challenges in the geographic location(s) where the study will take place.