Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes the peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and Brussels, Belgium, Search’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict – away from destructive approaches towards cooperative solutions. With more than 600 staff worldwide, Search implements projects in more than 30 countries across the globe.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Conflict Scan Consultant

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Employment Type: Full Time

About the RESILAC Project
The overall objective of the RESILAC project is to contribute to the economic recovery and to the strengthening of the resilience and the social cohesion of the territories of the Lake Chad basin most impacted by the Lake Chad crisis and the climate change. The specific objectives of the project are:

• Strengthening human capital, social cohesion and collective and sustainable management of natural resources in targeted territories;
• Promoting economic recovery in targeted areas and the resilience of the most vulnerable populations, especially young people and women, through access to employment and agro-sylvo-pastoral production systems intensified and adapted to climate change;
• Valuing and consolidating the actors of the targeted territories by encouraging dialogue and commitment, and reinforcing their capacities according to the skills and roles of each one; and
• Producing useful knowledge for the quality of project activities in a crisis context and for decision-making by local actors.

Purpose of the Consultancy

• The Conflict Scan Consultant(s) will provide an updated rapid assessment of the conflict context in Monguno, Jere and Kukawa LGAs as a part of the RESILAC Project.
• S/he will be responsible for the complete implementation of Search for Common Ground’s conflict scanning in all the 3 RESILAC LGAs in Borno State, from inception through research and analysis, until the production of report.
• The Consultant will directly be supervised by the North East Conflict Analyst. S/he will work directly with the RESILAC Project Manager and DMEL team and National Conflict Analyst. The position will be based in Maiduguri with travels to the field locations in Borno state.

Objectives of the Conflict Scan
To achieve the goal of social cohesion, resilience building and economic recovery through the collaborative management of natural resources in the affected regions, the following broad objectives will guide the development of this assessment:

• Identifying the causal factors of contestations amongst groups, factors relating to the access and use of natural resources.
• Exploring the different forms of vulnerabilities (man-made and natural) playing out in the target communities, including the indigenous mechanism(s) for preventing or resolving them, and their efficacy.
• Understanding the different levels of livelihood vulnerabilities as experienced across gender, ethnicities, religion, IDPs and refugees.
• Exploring the levels of social cohesion existent among different social groups in Jere, Monguno and Kukawa using a set of social indicators.
• Assess the level of change in perception of conflict management and mitigation strategies from adversarial to more collaborative approach by both parties.
• Assess to what extent any change in context, including the Covid-19 pandemic, is affecting the program implementation and how project implementation has affected the context.

Methodology

• Using Search’s tools and guidelines for conflict scans, the study will bring the perspectives of different stakeholders in Kukawa, Jere and Monguno LGAs together through a participatory and solutions-oriented process that specifically includes women, youth, and other marginalized groups.
• The conflict scan, like other assessments, will be conducted using a mixed methodology that includes both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods.
• This will allow for the triangulation of information, allowing for in-depth findings and recommendations. The study, from conception to recommendations, will be grounded on conflict sensitivity and Do No Harm principles, to ensure that the needs of women and youths are met, in ways that do not entrench dividing lines between various groups in the community.
• The scan will target community residents and internally displaced populations in the locations where the project is being implemented in Kukawa, Jere and Monguno LGAs, as listed above and as logistically feasible and in line with the security context.
• Tools for the assessment will be developed by the consultant and/ or team in collaboration with Search’s DMEL staff, research team, and the North East Conflict Analyst. Reports will be developed by the consultant and/or team, and reviewed and approved by Search.
• The tools will be administered by the consultant and/ or team, working with a team of data collectors, while the data will be analyzed by the consultant and/or team chosen to perform this research. In addition, the consultant and/or team chosen will develop the report with guidance and reviews by Search’s DMEL staff.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Carry out conflict scan in Kukawa, Jere and Monguno LGAs, Borno State using Search methodologies and tools and overseeing the data collection.
• Select and train enumerators for the data collection exercise
• Prepare conflict scan reports for the LGAs based on data collected and the review and analysis of incidents, interviews with key informants, and information collected from Search Nigeria’s programs and early warning system;
• Development of an inception report detailing the proposed method, study matrix, and work plan  to be approved by Search’s DMEL staff before starting data collection;
• Research tools and data collection (developed by the consultant and/or team with the input of Search’s DMEL staff)
• Draft report for review by Search staff and other stakeholders.
• Final Report (maximum 15 pages, excluding appendices), consisting of but not excluded to: Executive Summary, Methodology, Findings and Analysis, Conclusions, Lessons Learned and Recommendations. The report should be structured according to the evaluation questions and should include information on:
  • Background of the conflict including actors involved, root causes, present narratives, political aspects, and recent developments.
  • Analysis on the gender aspects of the conflict.
  • Government and traditional authorities’ response: including policies, legislation, security forces intervention, vigilante’s movement, community-based strategies etc.
  • Analysis on natural resource management in the target community
  • Appendices, including data collection tools and list of interviewees
• A template for baseline research within Search will be provided.
• Store all data collected for this research including audios and transcripts for all interviews, and quantitative data entered in a template, based on the methodology used

Deliverables:

• Inception Report;
• Training of enumerators (data collectors)
• Supervise data collection including KII and FGD in Jere, Kukawa and Monguno
• Rough draft of conflict scan report for Search to approve and provide comments;
• Final draft of conflict scan report on Jere, Kukawa and Monguno LGA, Borno State incorporating Search review and feedback

Reporting Line:

• The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of RESILAC Project Manager/Conflict Analyst.

Required Profile
Education:

• Master’s Degree in Conflict and Peace-Building Studies, International Relations, Political Sciences or related fields.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience carrying out conflict analysis, research, training on conflict sensitivity and do no harm;
• Demonstrated skills of using different conflict analysis frameworks; conflict analysis, peacebuilding or development engagement in conflict environments;
• Deep understanding of the social, political and conflict dynamics in Northern Nigeria;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills;
• Knowledge using qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis tools;
• Knowledge of early warning systems;
• A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace; andAbility to prioritize, plan and organize workflow to tight timeframes, handle multiple tasks, and be flexible with changing priorities.

Other Relevant Requirements:

• The consultant must be familiar with the context of Northeast Nigeria with focus on conflict dynamics of the Lake Chad region.
• Excellent working knowledge in English
• Knowledge of local languages spoken in the Northeast including Hausa and Kanuri preferred
• Experience working in the North East preferred.
• Attitude for team work and good leadership skill
• 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.
• 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.
• 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).

Logistical Support:
The consultant will handle all cost required in conducting the conflict scans in the different locations, including handling all logistical support to the Enumerators for the data collection component of the deliverables, such as:

• Existing data collection tools and resources following Search methodology.
• Logistical support for data collection training for enumerators.
• Enumerators and other resources for fieldwork and data collection, Search will support in the mobilization of participants.
• Accommodation and transportation when traveling to field location for data collection by the consultant.

Budget and Terms of Engagement:

• 5% withholding tax will be deducted at source from the total cost of the consultancy fee for a firm.
• Consultancy fee will be paid upon completion of deliverables evidenced by a submission of a consultant progress report and an invoice by the consultant; and a completion certificate by the line manager.
• Data collection to be agreed with Search and the DM&E team.
• The consultant MUST fully lead and coordinate the data collection process and is expected to be in the field for the full data collection process. However, if the consultants approved inception report and work plan shows remote management, this can be approved by the HOO and the DM&E team but still must include direct field participation for AT LEAST 50% of the data collection process.
• The consultant is expected to work independently but will be availed of the full use of the Search Maiduguri office and resources and is encouraged to complete as much of the work as possible at the office. Presence in the office for meetings/activities may be required subject to the consultant’s work plan and requirements of the DM&E team and HOO.

The consultant is required to respect the following Ethical Principles:

• Comprehensive and systematic inquiry: Consultant should make the most of the existing information and full range of stakeholders available at the time of the review. Consultant should conduct systematic, data-based inquiries. He or she should communicate his or her methods and approaches accurately and in sufficient detail to allow others to understand, interpret and critique his or her work. He or she should make clear the limitations of the review and its results.
• Competence: Consultant should possess the abilities and skills and experience appropriate to undertake the tasks proposed and should practice within the limits of his or her professional training and competence.
• Honesty and integrity: Consultant should be transparent with the contractor/constituent about: any conflict of interest, any change made in the negotiated project plan and the reasons why those changes were made, any risk that certain procedures or activities produce misleading review information.
• Respect for people: Consultant respect the security, dignity and self-worth of respondents, program participants. Consultant has the responsibility to be sensitive to and respect differences amongst participants in culture, religion, gender, disability, age and ethnicity.

Application Closing Date
Not Specifed.