Community Engagement Coordinator: Nigeria & the Lake Chad Basin at Center for Civilians in Conflict

Center for Civilians in Conflict’s mission is to improve protection
for civilians caught in conflicts around the world. We call on and
advise international organizations, governments, militaries, and
armed
non-state actors to adopt and implement policies, tools, and training to
prevent civilian harm. When civilians are harmed we advocate for the
provision of amends and post-harm assistance.

We bring the voices of
civilians themselves to those making decisions affecting their lives.

JOB TITLE:   Community Engagement Coordinator: Nigeria & the Lake Chad Basin

JOB PURPOSE: Lead CIVIC’s community engagement efforts in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region

LOCATION: Abuja, Nigeria

TRAVEL: Up to 40% required (domestic, regional, and to the US as necessary)

REPORTING TO: Regional Program Manager (in Abuja) and Program Officer for Nigeria (in Washington, D.C.)

STAFF REPORTING: Partial supervision of part-time researchers, trainers, and interns.

KEY FUNCTIONS:

The Community Engagement Coordinator
will lead CIVIC’s efforts to mobilize communities across Northeastern
Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region to strengthen community
self-protection mechanisms, to create platforms for improved
civilian-military relations, to conduct field research on civilian
security issues, and to lead a regional Protection Network and related
advocacy campaigns aimed at increasing the understanding and commitment
to civilian protection and harm mitigation by all groups, including
local government officials, security forces, self-defense groups, and
Boko Haram.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.A. in international affairs, political science, African studies, or related area; MA, MS, or JD preferred;
• Passion for CIVIC’s subject matter and willingness to take on the responsibilities and duties as a key member of our team; and
• English language fluency mandatory. Advanced proficiency in Hausa or
  Fulani required. Advanced proficiency in French strongly preferred.
• Minimum 5-7 years relevant full-time staff level work experience
  required, including work in active and recently active conflict zones
  and experience in community engagement, training, field research,
  advocacy, and project management.
• Either from the Lake Chad Basin region or extensive experience in northeastern Nigeria;
• Demonstrated strong work ethic;

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with SPM, Regional Program Manager, and Nigeria Program Officer
  to design, manage, and implement community programs in support of
  CIVIC’s Nigeria program;
• Build strong working relationships with civil society actors across
  the Lake Chad Basin region (including in Chad, Niger, and Cameroon) in
  order to create a regional Protection Network for increased community
  coordination and local capacity building;
• Support research and drafting of publications (reports, briefing
  papers, etc) and advocacy materials discussing CIVIC’s Nigeria work;
• Represent CIVIC with NGO networks and government stakeholders and promote effective collaborations and partnerships;
• Travel regularly (with CIVIC staff and alone) across northeastern
  Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region (Chad, Cameroon, and Niger) to
  mobilize support for CIVIC’s work;
• Build strong relations with local officials, community-based and civil society organizations and like-minded INGOs;
• Conduct assessments and convene local roundtable discussions to
  inform policy, practice, and training recommendations for diverse
  stakeholders to improve civilian protection;
• Perform other duties as required to further the organization’s mission and goals.

QUALITIES SOUGHT:

• Well organized, self-motivated, and able to conceptualize, manage, and implement projects in unstable environments;
• Effective in participatory facilitation, community organizing, advocacy, and leadership development;
• Poise, flexibility, discretion, and mature judgment to handle and
  respond appropriately and professionally in a fast-paced, high-pressure
  atmosphere;
• Willingness and experience working with security forces and understanding of the military/civilian/humanitarian spaces; and
• Outstanding written and verbal communications skills.
• Deep knowledge of Nigeria & the Lake Chad Basin region including related to humanitarian and security issues;
• In depth understanding of civilian protection issues in armed conflict;
• Proven ability to think analytically and plan strategically,
  including setting objectives and identifying and capitalizing on
  opportunities for our work;
• Ability to network extensively and build partnerships with community
  leaders and civil society organizations in sensitive political and
  security environments;

SALARY RANGE: Commensurate with experience

How to Apply
Please send a resume, an unedited writing sample (maximum 5 pages), and a
cover letter describing your motivations for applying to employment@civiliansinconflict.org.
Please write ATTN: Community Engagement Coordinator in the subject line. 



DEADLINE: Applications are being reviewed on a
rolling basis and qualified candidates will be contacted for an
interview. The deadline for applying is April 15, 2016. Please apply early.