Community Security / Vigilante Officer at United Nations Development Programme

Job ID: 33298
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Practice Area – Job Family: Peace Building – SECURITY
Time Left: 13d 17h 9m
Grade: NOB
Vacancy Type: FTA Local
Posting Type: Common System
Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension

Background
Since 2009, nearly 15 million people in Nigeria´s North-East have been affected by the conflict with Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), a Non-State Armed Group (NSAG), labelled by the media and commonly referred to as “Boko Haram”, and the resulting military operations in North-East Nigeria. The conflict became particularly intense in 2013, leading to the loss of an estimated 30,000 lives and the displacement of over 1.8 million people. Current numbers of active members within the NSAGs are not known but estimates range from 5,000 to 20,000. The number of detainees under military control is estimated at around 7,000 with the number expected to rise as counter insurgency efforts continue and avenues for surrender become more viable. The past years have brought significant progress on the military front. NSAGs no longer control vast swathes of territory and have taken to asymmetric warfare to deal with the evolving military campaign. Despite these successes, the number and sophistication of insurgency attacks have been on the rise since early December 2018.

The military campaign therefore continues to be essential in the foreseeable future.  In addition, those associated with NSAGs must see a way out of the groups, be given opportunities for viable alternatives to violent extremism and seek change through peaceful means. In parallel, the process of reconciliation between low-risk former NSAG associates including children and women who have participated in Government-led rehabilitation programmes, and the many conflict-affected communities and victims of the groups must start.

From experience to date in the North-East, it is clear that community-based reconciliation and transitional justice processes are important but not sufficient for achieving peace. Besides establishing a minimum level of safety and security in the community, the action is required to strengthen individual livelihoods, community social and productive infrastructure and public services before the actual process of reintegration of former NSAG associates can take place. Community consultations across the Northeast of Nigeria conducted by the project partners in 2017 and 2018 confirm the need for a comprehensive approach that lays the foundations for successful reintegration through a community-driven and state-owned “Disengagement, Disassociation, Reintegration and Reconciliation (DDRR)” process. The Government of Nigeria also recognizes that reintegration must include non-state security providers, such as the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and other vigilante groups.

The UNDP/UNICEF/IOM “Support for Reconciliation and Reintegration of Former Armed Non-State combatants and Boko Haram Associates (S2R) project is funded by EU and aims to achieve the following objectives:

• To reduced rejection and stigmatization of Former Associates;
• To increase community healing and reconciliation and decrease sense of injustice
• To increase sustainable alternatives to violence and social cohesion;
• To disarm and demobilize non-state security providers;
• To strengthen trust between citizens and the Government.

At present, UNDP seeks to recruit a Community Security/Vigilante Officer to provide effective coordination, design and management of all UNDP-specific activities relating to community security/vigilante in the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the direct supervision of the Reconciliation and Social Cohesion Specialist, the Community Security / Vigilante Officer carries out all functions and responsibilities related to effective coordination, design, and management of all activities relating to community security/vigilante in the project.
• S / he or she liaises with the IOM Project Coordinator, UNICEF DDRR staff, and relevant government authorities, commanders of CJTF / vigilantes and other community stakeholders to design and implement agreed on activities in line with the objectives and intended outputs of the project.

The Community Security/Vigilante Officer will perform the following tasks:

• Lead and manage the quality implementation of activities relating to community security/vigilante in the project, including developing ToRs, participating in recruitment processes, providing technical support, etc.;
• Coordinate and manage the overall delivery of community security/vigilante activities in an effective and efficient manner, working closely with the IOM, UNICEF and UNDP CO, Maiduguri Sub-Office, the military, police, other security providers, civilian government institutions,CSOs, academic institutions,  and entities, and donors/development partners;
• Ensure that all activities related to community security/vigilante are prepared in a timely manner and implemented in accordance with stated outcomes and performance indicators;
• Facilitate a comprehensive policy dialogue to explore and agree on approaches to improve community security and to develop viable ways to address the issues related to non-state security providers, including  continuous engagement with non-state security providers to support the development of future options to be considered by policy-makers;
• Support the authorities to develop an efficient disarmament and demobilisation process and weapons collection/management system for selected CJTF and vigilante groups, in conjunction with wider community safety and security planning;
• Encourage the participation of former CJTF and vigilante group members in community-level restorative justice processes, and support their access to reintegration assistance;
• Support the conduct of training on stockpile management and armoury security for security agencies and vigilante groups within selected communities;
• Provide substantive support to meetings, conferences, etc., including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc;
• Enhance the exsting community security/vigilate coordination mechanisms and support the establishment of a UNDP-supported coordination working group;
• Organize Human Rights and SGBV training to non-state security providers (vigilantes) members;
• Prepare annual work plans, and procurement plans in line with the programme outputs and objectives;
• Support the drafting of reports (including progress reports), thematic papers, concept notes as well as project proposals as part of UNDP CO fundraising activities.
• Conduct research, synthesize best practices and codify project experiences on the ground in comprehensive knowledge products with lessons learned and step-by-step guidance for replication;
• Perform other functions as deemed essential for effective results.

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Impact of Results:

• The key results have an impact on the success of the S2R project to promote community security through an effective DDRR process.

Competencies
Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Promotes knowledge management and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from the UN system.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.

Management and Leadership:

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client, and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Ability to lead effectively,  mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills

Required Skills and Experience
Education and Certificate:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Law and development related disciplines, Human Rights, Political Science, Behavioral Science, or other relevant Social Science fields.

Experience:

• 2 years of relevant professional experience, including years in a senior position in an international development organization in Rule of Law, access to justice and community security reform;
• Experience of sector-wide approaches to justice and RoL in crisis contexts including experience working with all of the main actors is required ;
• Previous experience with UNDP or another UN entity engaged in Rule of Law, security sector reform, DDR, etc;
• Experience in special development situations in Africa would be an asset, as well as previous experience working in the Lake Chad region ;
• Previous experience in conflict/post-conflict contexts preferably with the UN / UNDP would be an advantage.
• Practical experience in capacity-building, negotiation, facilitation and training skills, leadership development, and strategy development;
• Strong experience in conflict-sensitive programming;
• Knowledge of M&E systems, and results and performance-based management and reporting;
• Experience in partnership building and resource mobilization in a conflict context.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• The ability to communicate effectively in Kanuri, Hausa, or any other local language spoken in the NE region is an asset.

Application Deadline
3rd November 2020.

Method of Application

Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Important Applicant Information

• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
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