Early Warning and Early Response Assistants - A Community-Centred Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta

Location: Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa States, Nigeria. Search for Common Ground (Search) is an international non-profit organization that promotes the peaceful transformation of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC, and Brussels, Belgium, Search’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict—moving away from destructive approaches and towards cooperative solutions. With more than 700 staff worldwide, Search implements projects in more than 30 African countries, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and North America. Position Summary Search is seeking Early Warning and Early Response Assistants for an anticipated 18-month project 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 support the EWER Coordinator and EWER Officers during implementing community early warning prevention and mitigation activities in Bayelsa, Delta, or River State. S/he will support communication with early warning observers and confirm EWER 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 EWER Officers and will work closely with the EWER Coordinator and other country-level support staff. The position holders will be based in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta States.The EWER Assistants are expected to support the EWER Officers and Coordinator in the implementation of efforts aimed at transforming criminality, mitigating violence and criminality, and supporting community-based Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) initiatives. The anticipated project will bring together four leading peacebuilding and development organizations in the Niger Delta, in a consortium aimed at providing a holistic, community-centered 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 organizations, 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 how relevant actors think about and approach issues of oil bunkering, criminality, and security in the Niger Delta in favor of more bottom-up, human-centered 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 centers 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, the government, and security actors for more participatory, community-centered 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 institutionalize community-centered security approaches at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels. The position will be based in Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa States.

Roles and Responsibilities

Support the EW Officers and EWER Coordinator in documenting reports from the Early Warning System (EWS) and integrated hub in Bayelsa, Delta, or Rivers state with guidance from the National Conflict and Policy Analyst Support monthly meetings with Community Observers (COs) and quarterly meetings with Community Response Networks (CRNs) in Adamawa State. Document reports from the EW system comprising incident reports from COs, CRNs, and other stakeholders for immediate response. Support the collation and development of weekly EWS reports/analysis and Monthly updates to be shared with donors and other stakeholders. Support the development of a bimonthly EWS bulletin to share in printed and electronic copies to local actors, government, and stakeholders including NGOs. Document key success stories from the EWS reports, incidences, and/or responses of actors and stakeholders linked to the reports received from the system. Support programmatic and logistical support and assistance to the EW Officers Contribute to the preparation of donor reports Provide necessary support to implementing partners and government under the supervision of the EWER Officers and Coordinator.

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 and MS Excel is required

Education

A degree in conflict resolution, peace studies, peacebuilding, conflict management, or relevant field

Required Experience

At least one (1) year experience in early warning and conflict management or related fields Have supported the implementation of similar Early Warning and Early Response initiatives in Nigeria and the Niger Delta Region  Relevant experience working in the non-profit and NGO sector or institutions providing conflict early warning and early response services. Understanding of the social, political, and economic context of the Niger Delta region and how it impacts conflict drivers and conflict in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers states and targeted communities;

Other Relevant Requirements

Good knowledge of the local languages will be an asset. 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; 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; 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.

To apply: Interested candidates should send the following to our Current resumeCover Letter (which includes expectations of compensation and projected start date) Posting closes 25th August 2023 Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Please see our website: for full details of our work.