BACKGROUND

Insecurity in the North West region of Nigeria – especially Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto is characterized by a complex blending of communal conflicts, farmer-herder conflict, armed banditry and organized crime. These conflict drivers are further amplified by demographic pressure, relative deprivation, perceptions of economic exclusion and climate-induced risks. While numerous peace agreements including in Sokoto and Zamfara and amnesties provided some short-term stability, violence that resurged in the North West, especially in 2020 poses a significant stability risk to the region and country as a whole. In Katsina and Kaduna States for example, organized communal violence and banditry attacks tripled from April to June 2021 and at least 80,150 and 67,192 people respectively are now in IDP camps with many more urbanely displaced. A UN mission to the region identified a combined number of 193 hotspot communities in Kaduna; 194 in Katsina; 106 in Zamfara and 40 in Sokoto – indicating the urgent need to mobilise urgent response and peacebuilding support to the region.

COVID-19 has further aggravated the root causes of conflict and contributed to the escalation of violence. Lockdowns and curfews at the peak of the pandemic amplified the economic burden on already vulnerable populations limiting the pursuit of livelihoods. With the restrictive measures, community peacebuilding efforts were undermined leading to the collapse of peace agreements and narrowing of the opening for women’s participation in peacebuilding processes. The collapse of peace agreements and amnesties resulted in spike of violence in June 2020. Increased violent conflict and criminality in the zone would continue to slow the rate of economic recovery, hamper investments and women’s empowerment and decrease available resources for service delivery and development. A holistic approach to address the spike in insecurity loss of government control, increased displacement, greater inter-communal conflicts, and criminal violence and resultant economic losses, the increased SGBV and VAW, eroded conflict management structure and the narrowed opportunity for women peace and security agenda should be prioritized.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

UNDP has played a key role in mobilising and catalysing key partnerships around a prevention agenda to find lasting solutions to the NW Security challenge before it escalates to a full-blown crisis. UNDP is represented on the EU-led likeminded Group of Ambassadors and Heads of Mission on the North West. This platform meets on a monthly basis and brings together the UN Leadership and Ambassadors to collectively and collaboratively explore entry points for sustained advocacy, policy and programmatic response

UNDP has also been on the forefront of shaping the analytics on changing security dynamics in the region. Using sentiment analysis, this assessment conducted in Jan/March 2021 provided the basis upon which the Peace and Stability Outlook below was produced. A series of complimentary conflict analysis were undertaken by the EU, FCDO. Related assessments on the socio-economic context was carried out by UNICEF; while Humanitarian actors undertook rapid review of the evolving humanitarian situation in the country. The organisation also produced jointly by UNDP and FCDO as a framework for understanding the changing dynamics of instability in the North West. This note presented to the first North West Likeminded Group set the tone for high level advocacy and engagement in the region. 

In terms of field engagement, UNDP convened both technical and high level inter-agency mission to the three states  with the objective of mapping possible entry points for UN and International support to the region. This mission had a focus on prevention.

Therefore, UNDP Nigeria is looking for a National individual consultant to leverage on this work and lay the foundation for UNDP’s programmatic support in the North West Region. The IC will support in undertaking capacity assessments of key peace and governance actors and systems; monitor conflict trends; support with key stakeholder engagement in the field and lastly support with the design of the programmatic framework for the region.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP DRR (P) and supervision of the Crisis Prevention and Recovery Advisor the Peacebuilding Field Coordinator will be responsible for initiating key assessments, stakeholder engagement and laying the foundation for UNDP’s Integrated Peacebuilding and Peacebuilding Work..  

Summary of key duties:

Capacity Assessment; Socio-economic and Conflict analysis

• Conduct consultations with key stakeholders to identify peacebuilding needs and assess existing capacities and ongoing support provided other UN agencies, NGOs and development partners
• Conduct assessment of existing capacities for peacebuilding, conflict prevention and trauma-healing in line with the objectives of the project
• Develop a capacity enhancement plan based on the needs identified

Support with stakeholder engagement and community Mobilisation:

• Establish opportunities for collaboration with potential partners (all stakeholders including government, civil society, faith institutions, local authorities, UN agencies and other partners) in the State
• Explore entry points for sustained UNDP Support and collaboration across strategic areas of inclusive peacebuilding, cross-border governance, livelihoods and conflict prevention

• Perform other relevant duties, in connection to this consultancy, as required by the UNDP Resident Representative.
• Support with the establishment of Peace and Security Platforms within the State and Cross-border levels in Illela

Production of the NW Integrated Peacebuilding, Conflict Prevention and Border Governance Project document

• Identify opportunities for programmatic activities responding to assessed needs related to the objective of enhancing inclusive peacebuilding, conflict prevention and governance in the State
• Contribute to the development of a narrative of the UNDP Prodoc document for support to the North West working alongside team of consultant (s) to be procured
• Provide technical advice on the evolving opportunities for UNDP support including the engagement of counterparts in the State on this area.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES: 

Deliverables 1.

       CONTENT

• Report on Stakeholder engagement, community mobilization at State level          

      TIMING

• 30 days after signing the contract (30%)

Deliverables 2.

       CONTENT

• Report on support towards sustained stakeholder engagement, community mobilisation and platform establishment 

      TIMING

• 60 days after signing the contract 50%

Deliverables 3.

       CONTENT

• Integrated project document for Peacebuilding, Conflict Prevention and Inclusive livelihoods submitted and approved by UNDP         

      TIMING

• 60 days after signing the contract 20%

COORDINATION AND SUPERVISION:                      

The UNDP Peacebuilding Field Coordinator will be under the overall supervision of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative (Programmes) in Nigeria and the direct supervision of the Crisis Prevention and Recovery Advisor.  S/he will work in close collaboration with the Conflict and Political Economy Specialist during the assignment.

DURATION OF THE WORK:

• 6 months

DUTY STATION:

Sokoto, and Katsina states

PAYMENT MODALITIES AND SPECIFICATIONS

An individual contract will be issued by UNDP. The financial proposal must be expressed through a lumpsum (all inclusive).  Payments will be linked to deliverables. The contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components.

1.    RECOMMENDED PRESENTATION OF OFFER

The following documents are requested:

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP.
2. Personal CV indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
3. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology on how he/she will approach and complete the assignment.
4. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. 

TECHNICAL/FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

Results-Orientation and Development Effectiveness:

• Plans, prioritizes and produces quality results on time.
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.
• Ability to lead implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programs and projects, mobilize resources.
• Ability to lead formulation and management of budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, and reporting.

Management and Leadership:

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Builds strong relationships with stakeholders, focuses on impact and results and responds positively to feedback.
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Sets clear performance goals and standards; executes responsibilities accordingly.
• Motivated and demonstrates a capacity to pursue personal development and learn.

Innovation and Judgment

• Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems and how they relate.
• Contributes creative, practical ideas and approaches to deal with challenging situation.
• Strives for quality client-centered services (internal/external) when making decisions and taking action.

Job Knowledge and Expertise

• Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence.
• Proves knowledge of peacebuilding programming, conflict analysis, capacity assessment, stakeholder engagement and community mobilization

Education:

• Master's degree in Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Law, International development, Public Administration, or related fields.

Required experience:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in the field of peace, security, conflict analysis and related areas of work
• Demonstrated experience in peace programme project formulation
• Excellent knowledge on the management key stakeholders and community mobilisation
• Ability to work under pressure in a multicultural and complex environment.
• Ability to produce reports and high-level conflict and political economy analysis.
• Capacity to provide technical assistance to national counterparts, including through dialogue with high level political and administrative officers, including electoral administration, as well as donors and the international community.
• Previous experience in external relations, gender or results management.
• Previously worked as CTA within the framework of multi donor projects would be a strong asset.
• Previous experience within the United Nations System would be a strong asset; and
• Working experience in Nigeria is an asset.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) required.
• Fluency in Hausa;

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF THE BEST OFFER:

EDUCATION:

• Master's in Political Sciences, Social Sciences, International development, Public Administration, or related fields.- Complies or Not

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: 

• At least 5 years of sustained professional experience in the field of peacebuilding, security, governance or related field - 25 Points
• Capacity to provide technical assistance to national counterparts, including through dialogue with electoral administration and other high level political and administrative officers, as well as donors and international community - 20 Points
• Excellent knowledge of the evolving peace and security dynamics in the North West - 20 Points
• Demonstrated experience in project formulation, design and management as well as fund raising - 10 Points
• Experience of working in Sokoto/Katsina/Zamfara states - 15 Points
• Ability to work under pressure in a multicultural and complex environment.- 5 points
• Ability to produce reports and high levelled conflict and political-economy analysis. - 5 Points

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF THE CONSULTANT

The offer will be evaluated by using the best value for money approach (combined scoring method). Technical proposal will be evaluated on 70%. Whereas budget proposed will be evaluated on 30% based on sufficiency for applying the data gathering techniques and for obtaining reliable data for the evaluation in the timeframe indicated. Below is the breakdown of technical proposal on 100% which will be brought to 70%:

National Consultant (Associate) technical evaluation criteria:(Weight; 100% and Max Point; 100)