Project Coordinator Job at Search for Common Ground (Search)

Search for Common Ground (Search) is an international non-profit organization that promotes the peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and Brussels, Belgium, Search’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict - away from destructive approaches towards cooperative solutions. With more than 600 staff worldwide, Search implements projects in more than 30 countries across the globe.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Position: Project Coordinator
Job Location: Bayelsa
Duration: One year

Position Summary
Search for Common Ground, with support from the Department of States of the United States government is implementing the Election Violence Prevention Project to contribute to peaceful off-season gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa state. Towards a successful implementation, Search seeks experienced and highly motivated individuals to serve as Project Coordinator to support implementation of the project strategy in the state and contribute to realization of Search’s program mandate towards peaceful elections in Bayelsa state and the Niger Delta region. 

The Project Coordinator will take the lead in project management roles in line with technical focus of the project in the state through delivery of technical activities such as training workshops- conflict transformation and election violence prevention and Common Ground Journalism Training. The candidate will specifically support mapping of participants; provide logistics support to facilitators of proposed workshops; implementation of action plans; oversee the implementation of CSO component and partnership activities; monitor and manage state level media activities as well as manage relevant budget and be responsible for technical reports including narrative and financial reporting. 

Under the supervision of the Head of Office, the project coordinator will oversee other project staff and work in close coordination with regional programs and resources including Search for Common Ground’s Media team and sister projects in Bayelsa state and the Niger Delta region to effectively advocate for a peaceful electioneering process   

About the Project
With prolonged history of election violence in the Niger Delta, concerns over conduct of peaceful elections in the region remain high every election season. In the build up towards the 2019 general elections, the region recorded huge fatalities in the states which were linked to elections, just as violence also affected smooth conduct of elections in parts of Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta. 

In this light, the Bayelsa Election Violence Prevention Project seeks to mobilize stakeholders including Women And Youths (WAY Ambassadors) in a locally-led model comprising community led events, media activities and trainings, formation of Peace Architecture Dialogues, Community Security Architecture platforms etc; to promote wide acceptance of peaceful participation in the Bayelsa gubernatorial elections in November 2019.

The project capitalizes on its existing conflict prevention programming in Bayelsa State, to elevate women and youth as leaders of peace and security in their communities. They will be supported with the capacity, platforms, and key relationships to lead early warning and early response processes in collaboration with other stakeholders; facilitate peace and dialogue activities to sensitize communities for peaceful elections and to build community resilience to violence

Additionally, the project seeks to build stakeholders’ consensus for peaceful post-election activities to reduce violence and improve participation in the governance process in the state. 

Roles and Responsibilities
Program Management:

• Organization of training workshops on Conflict Transformation and Election Violence Prevention; and Common Ground Journalism Training. 
• Work with Community Security Architecture Dialogue (CSAD), Peace Architecture Dialogue (PAD), Community Response Network (CRN) and other participants in the implementation of action-plans.
• Work with identified government and non-government actors to respond to pre-election threats, including political thuggery and cultism
• Manage and support the implementation of CSO led component of the project
• Track the dynamics of election at state level and contribute to the development of peace messages.
• Work with the Conflict Analyst to identify conflict scenarios and prioritize geographic areas and demographic groups that are most at risk with history of violence in the state.
• Manage the activities of the media network and provide necessary support for the implementation of state level National Peace Media Day.
• Work closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation team to monitor and track project’s progress and draw out results, success stories and lessons learned;
• Manage project activities including administrative tasks relate to planning, budgeting, executing, monitoring on project related activities
• Develop and lead the effective and strategic use of traditional and new media and other communications to advance and achieve Search’s strategic goals
• Develop and coordinate actions among development partners in the state
• Lead in organization of situation room with CSO and relevant actors as well as Early Warning Early Report activities
• Build and maintain working relationships with both government and key project stakeholders at all levels in order to strengthen opportunities for advocacy and higher visibility;

Financial Management:

• S/He will ensure successful management of the budget for state level activities:
• Financial request for state level activities
• Retirement and financial report.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Produce activity, monthly and quarterly reports.

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties.

Qualifications
Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Science, Arts, Development Studies or a related field;

Required Experience:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in project cycle management, coordinating project activities, outreach, and/or advocacy;
• Substantial experience working in election and/or Peacebuilding projects will be an added advantage;
• Past working experience in the project states with CSOs and relevant state actors
• Previous experience with Search will be an added advantage.
• A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace; and
• Ability to prioritize, plan and organize workflow to tight timeframes, handle multiple tasks, and be flexible with changing priorities.

Other Relevant Requirements:

• Excellent working knowledge in English with excellent written and oral communication skills
• Knowledge of any of the local languages such as Ijaw and pidgin English is an added advantage.
• Attitude for teamwork and good leadership skill
• A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace
• Ability to prioritize, plan and organize workflow to tight timeframes, handle multiple tasks, and be flexible with changing priorities.
• Attention to detail:  The ability to process detailed information effectively and consistently
• Collaboration: The ability to work effectively with others in order to achieve shared goal
• Learning Ability: The ability to absorb new information readily and to put it into practice effectively
• Adaptability: The ability to remain fully functional by adapting to changing circumstances (environment, procedures and people)
• Demonstrate character and readiness to be part of a dynamic and highly evolving team working to promote peace in conflict prone environments in Nigeria, contributing to conflict stabilization, peace and security of human lives in Nigeria .

Application Instruction
To apply, interested candidates should send the following below:

• Current resume
• Cover Letter (which includes expectations of compensation)
• Sample of reports or plans of previous relevant work
• Please compile your writing sample and resume into one document as the system only has the functionality to upload two documents per application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Note: Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls