Project Officer (JISRA/Peacebuilding) – Nigeria

Part 1 – Job Description

1. Main purpose of the job

The Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) is a partnership of 50 civil society organisations based in Nigeria, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria and Uganda (with supporting lobby and advocacy in Europe and the USA). This international, interreligious partnership is implementing a five-year programme (2021-2025) in partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to further peaceful and just societies where all enjoy Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB).

The basis of the programme is JISRA’s conviction that Freedom of Religion and Belief and interfaith dialogue are essential and integral to the realisation of peaceful and just societies. In addition, diverse religious actors, including women and youth, can and need to play an important role in this process as change makers. JISRA believes their voices must be heard.

• The Project Officer (JISRA/Peacebuilding) is to provide programmatic and project management support to the JISRA Country Coordinator in the implementation of JISRA/Power of Voices (PoV) project in Nigeria in collaboration with the Nigeria Core Group (Country Strategic Committee) INGOs (Tearfund, SFCG, CAFOD & MM); and the implementing Partners (DIWA, DREP, FOMWAN, RURCON & SUWA), and also support the country peacebuilding plan.
• S/he will ensure that partners, communities, religious bodies and faith groups are mobilised to work towards achieving greater social cohesion outcomes and that communities develop adaptive mechanisms for non-violent conflict resolution leading to resilient communities against the effects of conflict and fragility.
• The job holder will ensure that projects are identified, designed, planned, implemented, monitored, evaluated (in line with the Global Consortium design) and reported in accordance with Tearfund’s Peacebuilding key indicators.

2. Position in organisation

• Responsible to the JISRA Country Coordinator.
• Grade: BG-7 Croner 4
• Salary: NGN 10,157,784.00 (Gross per annum)
• S/he will work closely and liaise/coordinate with Tearfund JISRA implementing partners’ staff (RURCON & SUWA) will be responsible for project implementation on the ground.
• The post-holder will also liaise with other JISRA implementers in Nigeria (DIWA, DREP &FOMWAN).
• Works directly with the Tearfund Nigeria Team, especially Advocacy Officer, CCT Officer, SGBV, EES, DRR and Finance teams.
• Has responsibility to represent Tearfund as delegated by the Country Director/Project Manager (Nigeria Consortium Lead) in networks, forums, INGO meetings, Government Departments and/or UN bodies on matters relating to the project.
• Work closely with the relevant Programme Officers and Thematic Support Team advisers based in the UK and in particular with the Peacebuilding and Fragile States Unit.

3. Tearfund’s Christian culture

We believe that prayer and discernment is fundamental to Tearfund achieving its mission of restoring relationships, ending extreme poverty and transforming lives. As a Tearfund staff member, you are expected to:

• Engage with Tearfund Prays and the Prayer hub
• Lead or participate in spiritual sessions of prayer and biblical reflection within your group
• Be committed to Tearfund’s Mission, Values and Beliefs statement and to be actively working and living in accordance with Tearfund’s Christian beliefs and theology of mission
• Maintain your own spiritual development, discover your gifts/callings and grow in discipleship

At the same time and JISRA being an interfaith partnership, the Country Coordinator is expected to be faith sensitive.

4. Organisational requirements

• All staff are expected to live out Tearfund’s values as they represent Tearfund externally

• All post-holders are expected to fulfil their personal objectives set by their line manager, contribute to their team’s overall objectives, take responsibility for reviewing their ongoing personal development and maintain an awareness of Tearfund’s strategy.

• All Tearfund staff share responsibility to promote and maintain a strong safeguarding culture, including identifying the key actions they should take given their role and responsibilities.

  5. Duties & Key Responsibilities

5.1 Peacebuilding project leadership, and programme implementation and facilitation

• The Project Officer (PoV) will work directly with the Tearfund implementing Partners to implement the PoV project.
• S/he will also collaborate with other Local NGOs implementing the PoV project in Nigeria to ensure effective and successful project delivery.
• To ensure the full implementation of Tearfund Peacebuilding implementation plan for Nigeria.
• To be involved in mainstreaming Peacebuilding as a cross-cutting theme across all of Tearfund’s programmes in Nigeria.
• To support (nurture, equip and connect) individuals trained in peacebuilding in developing a self-sustaining growing network of peacebuilders
• To provide technical leadership to peacebuilding and promotion of justice projects, programmes and issues in Tearfund’s operations.
• Create relevant donor liaison and develop proposals to ensure adequate funds for peacebuilding activities in line with the Nigeria Country strategy and as per Tearfund’s strategic guidelines.
• Provide relevant technical support and capacity building to partners.
• Design, adapt and apply capacity strengthening tools and resources for use with partners and in particular to drive the uptake of conflict analysis and conflict sensitivity assessments as a routine part of project planning and implementation.
• Provide support to learning reviews and evaluations and participate as required.
• Complete regular programme and partner updates including collecting case studies transformation stories of change from partners and providing reports.
• Work closely with the JISRA Country Coordinator (Nigeria Consortium Lead) in all matters related to JISRA and Nigeria Country peacebuilding programs.

5.2 Monitoring review and & Reporting

• Support partners and staff in the adoption of TRACK as it relates to peacebuilding programming, monitor partners activities, providing support on how communities and faith groups can develop capacities in non-violent conflict resolution.
• Ensure the timely compilation of situation updates, project and monthly narrative reports for Country Programme Office management, in accordance with required reporting formats.
• Support in the inputting of LEVI requirements in relation to projects related to peacebuilding, including project updates on proposals, reports, organisation details and any other necessary details.
• Build capacity in project evaluations and assist in the analysis of results to assess affectivity, quality and transformational use of resources. In addition, project impact as per Tearfund impact indicators guidelines.
• Build capacities of Tearfund local partner organisations and faith leaders by providing advice and technical assistance through needs identification and funding and implementing relevant trainings, exchange learning, mentoring and coaching.

5.3 External Relationships/Representation

• Build positive working relationships with faith groups and community leaders through local partners, raising awareness on the work of Tearfund.
• Attend relevant inter-agency coordination meetings as delegated by the Country Director or Project Manager (Nigeria Consortium Lead).
• Assist in developing collaborative church related programmes with agencies and national partners in accordance with country strategy

5.4 Health and safety and child protection

• To adhere to Tearfund’s Health and Safety Policy as it relates to areas such as fire safety, accommodation and vehicles.
• Ensures that health and safety accidents are reported to the Country Director and logged appropriately.
• Adhere to Tearfund child protection and gender policy requirements.

5.5 Good Practice and Institutional Learning

• Ensure that activities are carried out in accordance with signatory codes of conduct and accepted good practice.
• Identify key lessons learnt from project reviews and evaluations and ensure learning is understood and disseminated to partners, local stakeholders, country programme and UK-based stakeholders.
• Encourage learning from project staff and identify case study themes / issues from project experience for analysis, dialogue and possible formulation into emerging best practice and policy.