Project Officer at Search For Common Ground’s International

Position Summary

• The Project Officer is responsible for supporting the Project Manager in the implementation and monitoring of project activities in Adamawa and Taraba State. S/he will ensure that expected outputs are geared towards supporting the delivery of outcomes for the project as a whole.
• The position will closely support the Project Manager in implementing project activities and the production of expected reports for the project. The Project officer will be responsible for assisting the project manager in project-related activities, ensuring smooth operations of the project and consistency of project implementation with Searches and donor regulations. He/she shall ensure that the project’s plans are in place and kept updated as per the project’s overall objective.

About the Project

• Search for Common Ground (and partners), with the support of the EU is implementing the second phase of the project ‘Contributing to the mitigation of conflict over natural resources between farmer and herder communities in Adamawa and Taraba States, Nigeria (COMITAS 2).

The project pursues four specific objectives:

• Strengthen traditional conflict resolution in the targeted locations in Adamawa and Taraba States to support conflict prevention and mitigation efforts.
• Improve trust in authorities’ commitment to providing security and adequate resource management to help prevent communities to turn towards violence.
• Address the root causes of conflict between farmer and herder communities over natural resources
• Improve intra and inter communal perceptions.
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• The project will be implemented in selected communities across Adamawa and Taraba states and will work to contribute to the mitigation of conflict over natural resources, supporting community-based Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) to identify risks and partner with civil society, security or government actions to institutionalize strategies and approaches that will build community capacity and skills for sustainable peace. Additionally, the project seeks to ensure conflicts identified through the EWER feed into multi-stakeholder forums for dispute resolution and higher-level policy change and create open and neutral spaces for farmer and pastoralist community members and leaders to identify collective solutions.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Coordinate and arrange all logistics for various meetings, and workshops, including invitations, venue, participants' travel and accommodation;
• In collaboration with the project manager, facilitate the creation and implementation of a detailed annual work plan, which identifies sequences of activities needed to successfully implement the project and ensure project objectives are met;
• In collaboration with key stakeholders, facilitate the development and rollout of detailed implementation plans in communities and LGAs;
• Review the project schedule with the Project Manager and all other staff that will be affected by the project activities; revise and regularly review the schedule as required;
• Document project activities and ensure that all project data is appropriately secured;
• Monitor the progress of the project implementation and make adjustments as necessary to ensure the project remains on track and is successfully implemented;
• Establish a communication schedule to update stakeholders including appropriate staff in the organization on the progress of the project.

Program Monitoring & Evaluation

• In collaboration with M&E officer, assist with the implementation and development of Monitoring and Evaluation tools;

Documentation and Reporting:

• Produce activity and monthly reports

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Peacebuilding, Social Science, Arts, Development Studies or related field.

Required Experience

• At least 3 year experience of project implementation, including engagement with several actors – governments, community, and religious leaders, civil society, governments, security organizations and specialist networks, etc.

Other Relevant Requirements

• A good understanding of and North East and North Central Nigeria, particularly in terms of key political, social, security and economic issues
• Resident in the state of application, speaks local language (Hausa, Fulfulde, etc.) and understands the terrain
• Excellent diplomacy and interpersonal skills and an ability to work in a non-partisan manner, appreciating gender, cultural and ethnic diversity
• Ability to work individually, but also with experience of working effectively as part of a team
• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively with attention to detail and an orderly approach to tasks
• Strong analytical skills, including drafting reports and briefings
• Fluency in English (written and spoken).
• Must have a ‘hands-on’, practical mentality, be self-driven, and very motivated.