The Farmer-Herder Conflict remains one of the most challenging threats to peace, security and development in Nigeria, especially in the North Central Region (“Middle Belt”) of the country, and adjacent, States, particularly Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Taraba and Adamawa. The violence has exacted a heavy toll on thousands of people, frayed many of the connectors, especially inter-ethnic and inter-religious ones, at the local level. The socio-economic and developmental implications of the conflict is far reaching – affecting the food basket of the country. The response to this violence, however, has remained overwhelmingly security-dominated – with limited capacity for inclusive preventative action through dialogue and consensus building.

In recognition of a growing need to provide a holistic response to the crisis, the Federal Government developed and launched the National Livestock Transformation Plan in January 2019. The framework provides a holistic approach to addressing this crisis, while aiming to lay the foundations for longer term security, peace and transformation of the livestock sector.

The United Nations with the technical lead of UNDP has scaled up its efforts to compliment these Government’s efforts aligned to Pillar One of the NLTP that seeks to create an enabling environment through enhancing mechanisms for peacebuilding, conflict prevention, resolution and management. This support is being provided through two catalytic projects that target the states of Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba, both designed to address the farmer-herder conflict by establishing mechanisms for coordinated peacebuilding, promotion of dialogue and proactive engagement; building mutually beneficial economic relationships between farmers and herders; improving the effectiveness of the security response through strengthened human rights monitoring and accountability; and providing an impartial and evidence-based narrative to defuse the politicized debate and help mobilize a broader response. This support is drawing on comparative mandates of 5 UN Agencies – namely - UNDP, FAO, UN Women, UNHCR and OHCHR

Approach and Activities Rationale

A key component of this integrated programme is the establishment of effective and gender-sensitive infrastructure for peace at the state level to support inclusive conflict prevention efforts. The process of designing such mechanisms requires guiding principles and an enabling bill that operationalizes the agency. It is against background that we are seeking the services of legal expert to support the State House of Assemblies in Benue and Nasarawa States in drafting their context-specific bills and support follow-up processes of the passing of the bill into law in each of the states.

Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator (PBF and HSTF Projects), the Consultant will be required to conduct a desk review, reconcile all relevant existing and information and documentation pertaining to the Peacebuilding Agency, consult with key stakeholders in Benue and Nasarawa States, and take the lead working with UNDP in drafting the Establishment Bill for the proposed Peacebuilding Agencies in Benue and Nasarawa States.

The Consultant will, among others, be required to perform the following tasks:

• Desk review and comparative analysis of the Establishment Act of Plateau and the Kaduna State Peacebuilding Agencies, with all other relevant existing documentation.
• Conduct several stakeholder engagements with key stakeholders in Benue and Nasarawa States to better understand the contexts in both states.
• Facilitate exchange visits between the states for sharing of knowledge and experiences with regards to existing Peacebuilding Agencies in Nigeria and carefully document lessons learned from the visits.
• Conduct advocacy visits to top government officials including the Commissioners for Justice and Attorney General of each state, Ministry of Justice in Benue and Nasarawa States, the leadership of the state House of Assemblies in Benue and Nasarawa States for high-level consultations with the key objective of the Establishment of the Bill for the Peacebuilding Agency.
• Provision of technical support to states to advance a legal process to creating an infrastructure for peace in Benue and Nasarawa States.
• Formulate and draft the Establishment Bill of the Peacebuilding Agency in Benue and Nasarawa States, tailored to the Establishment Act in Plateau and Kaduna States.
• Conduct regular travel to the two focal states to engage with key stakeholders including women, youths, farmers, herders, farmer and herder associations, religious leaders, Chiefs, state and non-state security actors in Benue and Nasarawa States for consultations and to garner their input into the drafting of the bill.
• Present a finalized version of the three Bills in a standard and in which can immediately be submitted to the State House Assembly (in Benue and Nasarawa States) for consideration and passage into Law.
• Conduct any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor [the Programme Coordinator (PBF and HSTF Projects)]

Key Deliverables:

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following outcomes/results:

• A completed, presentable, gender-sensitive and print-ready Establishment Bill for Benue Peacebuilding Agency.
• A completed, presentable, gender-sensitive and print-ready Establishment Bill for Nasarawa Peacebuilding Agency
• A written report of the process of drafting the bills with evidence of collaboration and inputs from key stakeholders in Benue and Nasarawa States.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Technical knowledge on the operation of conflict resolution and peacebuilding structures.
• High quality assessment and training tools/instruments.
• Quality reports submitted in a timely manner.
• Ability to work in conflict settings.

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity regarding conflict prevention, conflict management/peacebuilding and gender issues
• Accountability and Responsibility
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Functional Competencies

• Technical knowledge and expertise in mapping of structures
• Excellent knowledge of conflict prevention, conflict management/peacebuilding and gender issuesand structures including in Nigeria
• Excellent networking skills
• Excellent interviewing techniques
• Excellent writing skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Full compliance with UN regulations and operating procedures

Education and certification:

• Doctorate or Masters’ degree in International Security, International Relations, International Development, Political Science, Peace and Security, or other Social Sciences or a related field.

Experience:

• The preferred candidate for this consultancy must possess at least 15 years of sound legal drafting knowledge and expertise with an impressive record of drafted legal documents, as evidence.
• Strong presentation/communication skills and a proven track record of producing quality policy/programme relevant reports.
• Similar work experience with UN
• Reporting
• The process reports and the Establishment Bill for Benue and Nasarawa State Peacebuilding Agencies shall be submitted to and approved by UNDP before contractual fees and other entitlements (excluding travel costs) as specified in the contract shall be paid to the Consultant

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Ability to speak and understand Hausa language is desirable.
• Ability to speak and understand other local languages is considered an asset.

Evaluation Criteria

• Advanced university degree in law with at least 10 years relevant experience– 25%
• A first level university degree in law with at least Fifteen years relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree – 25%
• Past legal drafting work experience in Nigeria from the Middle Belt and the North – 25%
• Licensed legal expert to practice in Nigeria – 10%
• Experience working with UNDP/UN Agencies – 15%