Job Opportunities at Search for Common Ground (SFCG)

About The Project
Search for Common Ground with support from USAID is starting a two-years project titled “Sharing the Green Grass: Cultivating a Locally-led Peace Architecture in the Niger Delta”. The Action aims to strengthen local capacities to peacefully manage conflict and prevent violence from escalating within a locally-led peace architecture in the Niger Delta. The project pursues two specific objectives: “Farmer and herder communities cultivate the skills and relationships to collaborate on peace and security issues” and “Farmer and herder communities develop effective, sustainable local mechanisms for early warning response, dispute management, and violence mitigation.”

The project will be implemented in Ethiope East LGA, Isoko North and Ndokwa West and Ughelli NorthLGA of Delta State. This “Peace Architecture,” will work to cultivate a culture of cohesion for communities to be at peace with themselves and equipped to build upon that foundation. Search and her partners will work with authorities first at the lowest level (local administration, authorities, the judiciary) and other higher levels (State, Federal) where necessary. This approach, as developed has successfully applied, in USAID-funded “Building Bridges Between Herders and Farmers in Plateau, Nasarawa, and Kaduna States” program in the Middle Belt, consists of conflict prevention, dispute resolution, and sustainability beginning from the local level and conflict-affected people themselves. The project will support community-based Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) to identify risks and partner with civil society, security or government actions to institutionalize strategies and approaches that will build community capacity and skills for sustainable peace.

Additionally, the project seeks to ensure conflicts identified through the EWER feed into multi-stakeholder forums for dispute resolution and higher-level policy change and create open and neutral spaces for farmer and pastoralist community members and leaders to identify collective solutions.

Position Summary

• The Early Warning Coordinators’ role requires experience in conflict transformation and peace building conversant with project management cycles and compliance requirements of United States Government (USG) funded grants
• The position holder must be a planner and experienced conflict and context analyst capable of steering various project activities in the North East to respond to real peace, security and conflict transformation needs
• The Senior Project Coordinator must have good diplomacy skills and capable of negotiating with challenging stakeholders. The position holder advises the Head of Office and Security Manager on project needs, strategies, staffing issues, local context and dynamics.
• S/he will work under the direct supervision of the Security Manager and the project team to achieve the following core deliverables:

Roles and Responsibilities

• Ensures proper implementation of the EW/ER project based on continuous monitoring and analysis of: the most critical early warning signs, peace and conflict transformation needs; partner capacities; operational environment; and security issues.
• Provides orientation of Search at local level and supervises all staff under the Early Warning/Early Response (EW/ER) project;
• Build Coalition and provide strong coordination support to NGOs, partners, and national authorities.
• Responsible for the coordination of  all project activities and collaborates with relevant staff in other Search offices for quality program development and planning;
• Develop and monitor project work-plans, effectiveness and achievement of results;
• Monitors the context regularly and support Early Warning Offices to draft regular context updates;
• Steer the project’s activities to meaningfully address needs in the context;
• Ensures all donor and internal reports are submitted within internal deadlines and to expected quality;

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 duties.

Desired Profile
Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Peace Building, Conflict, Security Studies, Political or Social Science, International Studies, Public Administration, Development Studies and experience in a related area. Master's Degree preferable

Required Experience:

• Minimum three years of progressively responsible professional experience in peace, conflict transformation, governance, civil society strengthening preferably in the Niger Delta
• Experience and exposure to a wide range on EW/ER response mechanisms; peace; conflict transformation; human rights, governance  and development-related, and humanitarian issues;

Other Relevant Requirements:

• Analytical capacity, including ability to analyse and articulate peace, human security and conflict issues;
• Ability to identify issues and 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;
• Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style;
• Ability to plan own work, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines;
• Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications;
• Very good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations;
• Strong advocacy skills
• Demonstrate integrity, alignment with Search’s values and ethical standards;
• Promote the vision, mission, and strategic objectives of Search;
• Capacity to adapt to a multi-cultural context, and tolerance and respect to issues related to gender, religion, race and nationality;
• Excellent ability to multi-task and produce time-bound deliverables.
• Expertise in writing reports and success stories
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism and solves problems in collaborative ways.
• Knowledge of and prior exposure to a wide range peace; community peacebulding, prevention of violence; conflict transformation; human rights, governance  and/or development-related issues;

Language Requirement:

• Fluency in English language, knowledge of local dialect in Delta state is a strong added advantage.

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Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Reports to: Deputy Program Manager.
Direct Reports: The Case Management Officer will manage 4 Case Management Assistants.

Position Summary

• The Case Management Officer supports the direct implementation of the “Supporting the Socio-Economic Reintegration of Children Associated with Armed Groups including the Civilian Joint Task Force in North East Nigeria” program through ensuring the provision of case management services for children in need of protection, in addition to supervising, mentoring and technical support to Case Management Assistants and Community Case Workers
• This will ensure the quality of case management response to select beneficiaries to support their well-being and protection.
• The Case Management Officer will work closely with all team members including Case Management Assistants, Community Case Workers, Community Mobilisers, Education Officers, Enterprise Officers, in addition to the Deputy Program Manager and Child Protection Manager.

About the Project

• In the past decade, states in the North East region of Nigeria have faced frequent attacks by Boko Haram militants leading to widespread displacement, violations of national laws, international humanitarian and human rights laws, and a deepening humanitarian crisis. Children, who are the most vulnerable members of society, have suffered the worst impacts as pre-existing problems of access to social protection, education and healthcare increase, new threats emerge, and the systems to protect children fails
• This project aims to ensure that children verified and separated from CJTF receive a comprehensive child protection package including counseling, psychosocial support and socio-economic reintegration, and that their communities understand the importance of their separation and reintegration
• Search will work closely with the children, their families and communities, and CJTF to address the psychosocial and economic needs of the children and to influence the attitudes of communities and CJTF so they understand the negative impact of associating with armed groups on children and prevent the CJTF from using children.
• By increasing resilience of children associated with CJTF and increasing their employability, this project will facilitate lasting reintegration of these children and amplify positive narratives around their role in communities as productive civilian actors and agents for peace.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide on-the-job mentoring and technical assistance to Case Management Assistants and Community Case Workers.
• Ensure alignment with Inter-Agency Case Management Guidelines, standardized operating procedures and tools.
• Adherence to key child protection principles including best interests of the child and do no harm.
• Ensure adherence to child safeguarding and Code of Conduct.
• Together with the Line Manager, ensure the establishment and implementation of work plans, setting clear targets and activity plans.
• Ensure that Case Management Assistants and Community Case Workers follow case management steps ensuring that each step is properly implemented and documented in the individual’s file.
• Ensure Case Management Assistants register and regularly update cases in the Case Management Information Management System as well as hard copy.
• Support individual cases, when necessary, and provide regular monitoring of all aspects of case management services.
• Conduct weekly supervision meetings with all Case Management Assistants, providing technical advice on cases and psychosocial support. Facilitate peer-to-peer support groups where appropriate.
• Monitor timescales for response, decision-making, follow-up and review.
• Review staff caseloads to ensure that they are manageable and share challenges with senior management.
• Conduct regular case file audits and check that protocols and principles are respected.
• Map existing specialized services and make sure that the referral pathway is up-to-date to facilitate beneficiaries’ access to services in conjunction with that shared by the Child Protection Sub-Sector Working Group.
• Ensure case information and data is collected systematically and accurately.
• Ensure implementation of information management protocols, particularly in terms of confidentiality of data (including data base).
• Ensure regular communication with the line manager on activities’ updates, achievements and challenges via meetings, reports and ad hoc communication upon request and needs. Flag urgent issues when they arise.
• Manage Case Management Assistants to follow up on administrative and logistical procedures connected with the accomplishment of the planned activities.
• Ensure proper use of equipment and other material resources available to the project.
• Organize regular case conference meetings to address challenging cases and ensure children receive quality services with dignity.
• Perform any other duties as required by the supervisor or Line Managers as may be reasonably requested.
• Share necessary security updates with Security Manager in Case Management Assistant’s areas of intervention to ensure safety of beneficiaries and team members in ongoing risk assessments. 

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 duties.

Qualifications
Education:

• University Degree or equivalent in Social Work, Psychology, Law or Sociology.

Required Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years case management experience in Child Protection
• Minimum of 2 years in an advisory/ technical role
• Minimum of 2 years management/ supervisory experience
• Experience working in emergency settings
• Experience working in different communities in Borno State
• Experience working with refugees, host communities, and other vulnerable populations
• Experience in Community Based Protection programming
• Experience using CPIMS (Child Protection Information Management System)
• Experience working with Children Associated with Armed Groups

Other Relevant Requirements:

• Good understanding of Child Protection Minimum Standards and the Inter-Agency Guidelines for Case Management and Child Protection. 
• Knowledge of types of child abuse and their impact (violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation)
• Familiarity with referral pathways in and around Maiduguri
• Understanding of psycho-social support
• Excellent analytical and writing skills
• Excellent ability to develop positive helping relationships with children and caregivers.

Desirable:

• Strong reporting skills capturing case management information.
• Knowledge of risk assessment to ensure changing protection concerns captured.
• Good analytical, problem solving and project planning skills.
• Community oriented and respect for local culture.
• Good IT skills, particularly with MS Office - Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint.
• Strong command of both written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of a local language (Hausa, Kanuri) a must.
• Holds self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and standards of behaviour.
• Demonstrates a high degree of professionalism/integrity.
• Provides good administrative and logistical support to team.
• Actively seeks support in addressing difficulties in execution of duties.
• Strategic thinking and effective contribution to own work and organizational development.
• Sound judgement and decision-making in complex situations.
• Strong emotional intelligence including self-awareness.
• Leads by example to motivate high performance of others.
• Strong commitment to continuous learning.

Application Instruction
Interested candidates should send the following:

• Current Resume
• Cover Letter (which includes expectations of compensation and projected start date)

Note

• The system only has the functionality to upload two documents per application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

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Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Reports to: Child Protection Manager

Position Summary

• The Enterprise Coordinator supports the direct implementation of the “Supporting the Socio-Economic Reintegration of Children Associated with Armed Groups including the Civilian Joint Task Force in North East Nigeria” program by supporting the economic reintegration of children through capacity building, enterprise skills development and accessing self or wage employment in local markets
• This role will provide technical leadership to the economic reintegration program component, under the direction of the Deputy Program Manager/ Economic Reintegration Specialist. This will involve developing tools to quality assess and assure interventions, and take proactive measures to address needs identified within the program.
• The Enterprise Coordinator will work closely with Enterprise Officers, under the direct supervision of the Deputy Project Manager/ Economic Reintegration Specialist, supported closely by the Child Protection Manager.
• Working relations: Work closely with the Deputy Project Manager/ Economic Reintegration Specialist, Child Protection Manager, Enterprise Officers and other team members including M&E Officer, Education Officers and Community Mobilisers.

About the Project

• In the past decade, states in the North East region of Nigeria have faced frequent attacks by Boko Haram militants leading to widespread displacement, violations of national laws, international humanitarian and human rights laws, and a deepening humanitarian crisis
• Children, who are the most vulnerable members of society, have suffered the worst impacts as pre-existing problems of access to social protection, education and healthcare increase, new threats emerge, and the systems to protect children fails
• This project aims to ensure that children verified and separated from CJTF receive a comprehensive child protection package including counseling, psychosocial support and socio-economic reintegration, and that their communities understand the importance of their separation and reintegration
• Search will work closely with the children, their families and communities, and CJTF to address the psychosocial and economic needs of the children and to influence the attitudes of communities and CJTF so they understand the negative impact of associating with armed groups on children and prevent the CJTF from using children.
• By increasing resilience of children associated with CJTF and increasing their employability, this project will facilitate lasting reintegration of these children and amplify positive narratives around their role in communities as productive civilian actors and agents for peace.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide support to Deputy Project Manager/ Economic Reintegration Specialist to carry out local market analysis to better understand the local livelihood systems, household economies, and market opportunities so that appropriate and economically relevant training and economic reintegration opportunities can be sought for the children.
• Use the analysis report to identify constraints and opportunities for livelihoods improvement of children in Maiduguri.
• Facilitate work plan development, implementation and ongoing monitoring to train targeted children of legal age in skills that will cater to the needs and demands of the local markets within Micro-Enterprise Trainings and ongoing mentoring.
• Coordinate all enterprise related training activities that will take place in targeted communities.
• Organize and coordinate business opportunities and administrative support sessions that will help trained children of legal age in identifying and accessing small business seed grants, employment opportunities, and information on available economic resources.
• Identify, assess and select local artisans/small business owners in targeted communities.
• Sensitize local artisans/small business owners in targeted communities by providing necessary support to empower children.
• Monitor each young person’s partnership with his/her employer and carry out quality assurance visits each quarter to all businesses. Report findings and address any challenges observed.
• Support teams to produce timely high quality reports and documentation both to meet donor and internal requirements as needed.
• Provide technical input to project implementation to achieve targets.
• Provide ongoing supervision and mentoring to Enterprise Officers.
• Maintain record of expenditure and report these to Deputy Project Manager and Child Protection Manager.
• Keep abreast of local context and security situation and share updates with the team as necessary. 

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 duties.

Qualifications
Education:

• Degree in Business, Enterprise, Economics, or other relevant field.

Required Experience:

• Minimum 3 - 5 years experience in enterprise development, particularly in the field of adolescents of legal age. 
• Experience working with Children Associated with Armed Groups, and knowledge of economic reintegration best practices
• Minimum 1 year management/ supervisory experience.
• Training experience relating to business and enterprise.

Other Relevant Requirements:

• Knowledge of sound enterprise business policies and procedures relating to financing, sales and marketing in the Northeast Nigeria;
• Knowledge of a range of businesses supporting business start-ups and business expansions in Northeast Nigeria;
• Familiarity with tool development and best practices in skills development trainings.
• Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is considered as an added advantage
• Strong networking, partnership and interpersonal skills;
• Highly organized and systematic with excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent cross-cultural communication and working skills, enjoys a multicultural work environment;

Application Instruction
Interested candidates should send the following:

• Current Resume
• Cover Letter (which includes expectations of compensation and projected start date)

Note

• The system only has the functionality to upload two documents per application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.