Background

Nigeria is beset by internal violent conflicts, and extremism, with considerable impact on itsvsustainable development, consolidation of democracy, viability of the state, and, indeed the corporate existence of the country. The challenge of managing ethno-religious diversity and prolonged militarized approach have left a legacy of unhealthy inter-group relations, and a culture of impunity. Incidents of ethnic and sectarian violence are on the increase as Nigeria is ranked 148 out of 163 countries in the 2019 Global Peace Index.1 Relationships between communities and state-based security providers are challenged by exacerbating VE attacks from terrorist acts in Nigeria’s northeast, to the protraction of violent inter-group conflicts in the north western geopolitical zone and between farming and herding communities in the north-central of Kogi, Benue and Plateau states including communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. The existence of violent conflicts and extremism in Nigeria; invariably make difficult the relationship between members of the communities and law enforcement agents in the course of operations and service delivery. To buttress this, it’s been argued that the increasing acts of VE have a direct causal effect on the deployment and active presence of law enforcement agents (LEAs) in order to preserve law and order in the overall interest of the security. This situation ultimately makes the communities overly militarized. This cannot be ignored because in the course of everyday interface between residents and the LEAs, new meanings and perceptions of liberty, rights and space are (re)created, affirmed, rejected and contested.

Arguably, the militaristic approach has been largely successful in degrading the insurgent’s capacity to maintain control of any part of Nigeria’s territory, but so far, it has not put a stop to2 attacks against soft, civilian targets, and neither has the approach adequately addressed the complex factors that gave rise to the insurgency and VE in those parts of the country.

Building on some of the key recommendations of UNDP PVE 2018/2019 survey in selected states to deepen the body of knowledge on PVE at grassroots level and a further mapping of critical stakeholders, and actors in five states (Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Niger, Plateau) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, one of the key outputs of the Preventing and Responding to Violent Extremism (PRVE) project focuses on the rule of law, access to Justice and security aim at enhancing community trust level and bonding to prevent and counter violent extremism. Broadly speaking, the PRVE project goals support national coordination, building community-based bonding, trust and confidence building activities amongst community security providers and stakeholders including community-based organizations, vulnerable groups and women groups in targeted states/communities to enhance community security and peaceful co-existence. These will further entail promotion, and enhancement of partnership, trust and bond between security providers and the community stakeholders in line with National Action Plan (NAP) for government at state level and identified at-risk communities of VE.

It is based on the foregoing that the Governance, Peace & Security Unit of the UNDP seeks the services of experienced facilitator/moderator to conduct a one-day dialogue amongst stakeholders on preventing and responding to violent extremism and community policing from a PVE perspective.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Functions

The consults shall carry out the following specific tasks:

  1. Produce a programme agenda for the dialogue;
  2. Acquaint with PVE project documents and products including 2018/2019 PVE survey report,community mapping report, dialogue concept paper, draft agenda, and Office of the National Security Adviser’s National Action Plan;
  3. Conduct a one-day facilitation/moderation on PRVE and Community Policing amongst stakeholders from selected five states and the FCT;
  4. Produce a dialogue session report for documentation and reference to UNDP GPS PVE Project.

Key Results Expected:

The consultant shall produce the following deliverables at the end of the assignment?

  1. Programme agenda for the dialogue;
  2. Dialogue session report with attendance list and pictures.

Impact of Result

A common understanding amongst stakeholders on preventing and responding to violent extremism and community policing from a PVE perspective facilitated.

Competencies

Desired Competencies:

  • Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work andmanage conflicting priorities;
  • Ability to think critically and openly;
  • Excellent analytical and organizational skills;
  • Motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
  • Ability to show persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
  • Ability to remains calm in stressful situations.
  • Openness to listening to others, correctly interpreting messages from others and responding appropriately;
  • Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
  • Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;
  • Very good organizational, visual, written and verbal communication skills;
  • Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping others informed;
  • Team player.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • The desired candidate(s) for this assignment shall possess an advanced degree in Social Science, Arts, Communications, Sociology, Law and humanities, Dispute Resolution/Peace Studies or other relevant fields.

Experience:

  • He/she must have, at least, 10 years’ facilitation/moderation and public presentation experience with national and international institutions and exposure with focus on peace and security;
  • The candidate must have experience in workshop administration and coordination.

Language and other Requirements:

  • Fluent written and oral English required;
  • Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Evaluation Criteria:

  • Advanced degree in Social Science, Arts, Communications, Sociology, Law and humanities, Dispute Resolution/Peace Studies or other relevant fields for, at least, 10 years – 30 points.
  • 10 years’ facilitation, moderation and public presentation experience with national and international institutions and exposure with focus on peace and security – 40 points.
  • A mixture of academic experience, workshop administration and coordination – 10 points.
  • Previous working experience with a national security architecture and or knowledge of PCVE Framework and National Action Plan is an asset – 10 points.
  • Previous working experience with UN agencies or national government is an asset – 10points.