Recruitment at Search for Common Ground (SFCG)

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Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and a European office in Brussels, Belgium, SFCG’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. SFCG seeks to help conflicting parties understand their differences and act on their commonalities. With a total of approximately 600 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects from 55 offices in 34 countries, including in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. The organization is an exciting and rewarding place to work, with a dedicated and enthusiastic staff that is committed to its mission and values. You will be joining a highly motivated staff with a good team spirit and there will be opportunities to grow in the role. We are recruiting to fill the position below:     Job Title: Context Analysis Consultant Location: Abuja Purpose of Context analysis

• To further inform the project which has already been in implementation for six months, Search needs to undertake a comprehensive and cost-effective external context analysis.  Key principles that will drive the design of the context analysis are the Common Ground Approach, Conflict Sensitivity, and Do No Harm principles.

The objectives of the context analysis are to:

• Identify what human rights protection laws and frameworks exist in the formal justice system, and to what extent these have been able to protect people accused of blasphemy and challenge violations to religious freedom;
• Identify what levels of collaboration exists among religious stakeholders, policy makers, civil society, and citizens in promoting religious freedom and interfaith tolerance at the community, as well at legislative level;
• Identify community, state, and national-level platforms, and media platforms available for conversations that challenge violent narratives and promote tolerance and positive perception of other faiths;
• Identify opportunities for program implementation, aimed at achieving the project outcomes and goals;
• Document lessons learnt from implementation so far that should be factored into future project implementation.

Findings from this analysis will be used to inform future programme planning and implementation. As such, clear and actionable recommendations are expected, in light of data collected on site. The report will also be shared widely with project participants and partners, and presented during Search Nigeria programs. The report – with sensitive details redacted – will eventually be published on Search’s website and shared with other learning networks in order to enhance contributions to religious tolerance programming the broader field of peace-building in Nigeria, regionally, and in the world. About the Project ART. 38 is a 24-month project with the overall goal of advancing the protection of religious freedom and tolerance among religious communities that reduces vigilante justice tied to blasphemy and apostasy laws in Nigeria. The overall goal is supported by two specific objectives and three expected results, which will guide the ART. 38’s actions:

• Objective 1: To enable lawyers and advocates to effectively use human rights protection laws and frameworks in the formal justice system to protect people accused of blasphemy and challenge violations to religious freedom, as well as educate others on their rights;
• Result 1: Lawyers and advocates have an increased knowledge of international human rights norms and mechanisms and they effectively use them to address human rights violation in Nigeria.
• Objective 2: To mobilize religious leaders and policymakers to jointly counter violent rhetoric through positive public messages of religious pluralism and respect of human rights:
  • Result 2.1: Improved and positive collaboration among religious stakeholders, policy makers, civil society, and citizens in promoting religious freedom and interfaith tolerance at the community, as well at legislative level.
  • Result 2.2: Increased community, state, and national-level platforms, as well as media platforms are available for conversations that challenge violent narratives and promote tolerance and positive perception of other faiths.

The project beneficiaries are religious leaders, religious organizations such as CAN, JNI, and their women wings, leaders of youth associations, academics, policy makers, civil society, and legal practitioners across the 14 Northern states in Nigeria. While the project is implemented in these 14 states, engagements with these stakeholders are at three levels - national, zonal and state. These engagements include High Level Technical Meetings to provide guidance on religious engagements on a Zonal level and Zonal meetings with the purpose of guiding the development of Action Plans for Religious tolerance engagement activities within each state. The meetings have held in Abuja, Bauchi and Plateau and Kano states. Methodology

• The proposed methodology is to be clearly stated in the technical offer, detailing why the methodology is preferred and its relevance to the locations, beneficiaries and purpose of the analysis. In addition, the technical offer should include details on logistics and roll-out of the study: who the target respondents will be and why, how will they be identified or recruited, how data collection and data quality assurance will be carried out, as well as how data analysis will be done.
• The assessment will target select stakeholders across the three levels - national, zonal and state as listed above and as logistically feasible. A minimum of one state per zone will be selected by the consultants, with clear justification as to why these states are selected for the study. Tools for the assessment will be developed by the consultant and/ or team in collaboration with Search’s DME staff. The inception and final reports will also be developed by the consultant and/or team, and reviewed and approved by Search. The tools will be administered in the identified communities and the data analyzed by the consultant and/or team chosen to perform this research.

Deliverable The context analysis assessment deliverables are:

• An inception report detailing the proposed method, study matrix, and work plan. It is to be approved by Search’s DME staff before starting data collection.
• Research tools (developed by the candidate and/or team with the input of Search’s DME staff)
• Draft report for review by Search staff and other stakeholders
• Final Report (maximum 30 pages, excluding appendices), consisting of but not exclusive to: Executive Summary, Methodology, Findings and Analysis, Conclusions, Lessons Learned and Recommendations. The report should be structured according to the analysis objectives. A template for research within Search will be provided.
• 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.
• Appendices, including data collection tools and list of interviewees
• A powerpoint presentation summarizing the report’s findings

Required Profile Education:

• Graduate degree in Conflict Studies, Social Work or other relevant degree is an added advantage;

Experience:

• 5 years or more of experience in evaluations and qualitative and quantitative studies with international organizations;
• Demonstrated experience in leading research in the specific context of Northern and Central Nigeria, including ability to recruit a research team locally as needed;
• Experience in evaluating programs relating to religious freedoms, legal systems, community development, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution;

Other Relevant Requirements:

• Strong analytical skills;
• Excellent written communication and report writing skills in English;
• Knowledge of languages indigenous to Northern and Central Nigeria such as Hausa will be an added advantage;
• Ability to be flexible with time and work schedule.

Logistical Support: SFCG will provide the following logistical support to the consultant;

• Transmission of background materials (project proposal, meeting notes, etc.);
• Access to activity reports from Search engagements, and engagements from the primary project partner
• Access to participants and key stakeholders
• Availability of meeting rooms in Abuja, as required

All logistic costs, including of transportation and lodging will NOT be borne by Search and should be included in the proposed budget. Timeframe:

• The assessment will take place between April and May, 2019, with the final deliverables due May 31st, 2019.

Budget and Terms of Engagement:

• All production costs incurred will be covered from the consultancy fee.
• 5% withholding tax will be deducted at source from the total cost of the consultancy fee for a firm.
• 40% of the consultancy fee will be paid when initial the contract is signed, 30% will be paid upon submission of initial findings and the remaining balance of 30% will be paid on final completion and submission of satisfactorily deliverables.

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.

How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should: Click here to apply       Job Title: Business Development Associate Location: Maiduguri, Borno Position Summary

• SFCG for Common Ground seeks a highly qualified, motivated and innovative Business Development Associate to work with staff from SFCG offices to develop and submit high quality donor proposals and tender bids that are aligned with SFCG’s priorities and demonstrate impact.
• S/he will be responsible for supporting the Country Director in overseeing reporting, reviewing project content and approaches, and leading new business development for the country programme.
• S/he must be proactive in identifying new and nontraditional sources of funding from a range of institutional donors and working with SFCG’s country staff and other fundraising teams to leverage SFCG’s funding prospects. S/he builds the capacity of SFCG country offices to develop and manage strategic consortium partnerships with other NGOs.
• S/he will work under the direct supervision of the Country Director and closely with the Heads of Offices, programme managers, and other programme staff and finance staff.

Key Responsibilities Project Reporting:

• Develop and update Nigeria programme donor reporting calendar and report tracking system;
• Coordinate project reporting for all active projects by developing and setting internal report development, review processes and internal deadlines;
• Work with project teams to review, edit, and finalise results-oriented project reports;
• Support Country Director, Head of Offices and project teams to develop “success stories” from project activities and documenting project impact; and
• Build the capacity of the project teams to write high quality results-oriented reports.

Business Development:

• Support the Country Director and Heads of Offices in leading proposal development process including consultations, programme design, and proposal writing;
• Liaise with finance teams to develop proposal budgets;
• Liaise with design, monitoring and evaluation (DM&E) plus communication and learning teams to include  DM&E and communications plans and strategies in proposals;
• Coordinate with regional team to ensure proposal budget compliance with SFCG requirements; and
• Support the Country Director and Head of Offices, in business development meetings with partners, donors, and other potential stakeholders.
• Work with staff from SFCG offices (including programme, finance, fundraising, and M&E) to develop and submit large scale proposals and tender bids (£500k and more) ensuring that applications are high quality, aligned with SFCG’s priorities and demonstrating impact
• Review and provide feedback on proposals and tender bids ensuring compliance with proposal development guidelines
• Provide ongoing guidance on donor policy and focus and identify institutional funding prospects beyond SFCG’s traditional donors

Donor relationship building and influencing:

• Support SFCG country staff as well as SFCG International fundraising and programme staff to develop and manage strategic consortium partnerships with appropriate CSOs, academic organisations and private sector firms to leverage SFCG’s chances of success in competitive calls for proposals and tender bids
• Support SFCG’s Country Programmes to conduct donor scoping exercises and develop programme-led fundraising strategies
• Support SFCG’s programme experts and senior leaders by identifying and facilitating opportunities for relationship building with key donors

Project Support:

• Advise Country Director and Heads of Offices on project content and implementation strategies;
• Support project managers and state coordinators on project and activity strategies and assist in identifying relevant SFCG resources and best practices;
• Review project activity work plans and approaches to ensure project elements are in line with the overarching project goal while also ensuring ‘Do No Harm’ and conflict sensitivity;
• Work with project and DM&E teams to review and analyzing project results;
• Registration of participant’s attendance in the field.
• Support project managers in planning, coordinating, and implementing activities where needed;

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. Required Background Education:

• First 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 preferred.
• Excellent English language skills (written and spoken)

Experience:

• Minimum three years of progressively responsible professional experience in reporting, project design, proposal and concept note design and development;
• Experience in reviewing  call for proposals and reports;
• Experience in programme design and implementation tools such as Log frames, Gantt chats, critical path theory, problem and objectives trees, stakeholder mapping and analysis tools, results chains among other.
• Excellent writing, reasoning and analytical skills
• Capacity building experience including training and skills development
• Experience of developing successful proposals and tender bids to the EU, DFID and the UN as well as other institutional donors including but not limited to Government of Great Britain - Department for International Development - UK Aid; USAID; Danish International Development Agency; Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency;
• In-depth understanding of logical frameworks as a tool to develop theory of change and intervention logic

Other Relevant Requirements:

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment, often at a distance
• Ability to prioritise own workload and work with minimal supervision
• Ability to lead complex proposal development teams
• Knowledge of and exposure to a wide range peace; conflict transformation; human rights, governance  and development-related issues;
• Ability to work under extreme pressure in a highly stressful environment;
• Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the 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;
• Ability to review and interpret calls for proposals and translate proposal call guidelines into cogent and logical activities, outputs, outcomes and impact statements;
• Understanding of, and experience in developing cogent Theories of Change;
• 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.

  How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should: Click here to apply   Application Instruction Interested candidates should send the following:

• Current resume
• Cover Letter (which includes expectations of compensation, current location 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.

  Application Deadline: 5th April, 2019.

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