International Alert was founded in 1986 to help people find peaceful solutions to conflict.
At that time, the number of conflicts between countries was decreasing, but there was an alarming increase in the number of conflicts within countries. These conflicts were undermining development and leading to gross violations of human rights. Identifying and highlighting individual abuses of human rights was not enough; a different approach was desperately needed. It was out of this urgency that International Alert was born.Location: Abuja (with potential travel to select states)
Duration: Up to 3 months with possibility for extension
Engagement Type: Consultancy
Reports to: National Team Lead and DDR Expert
Background
The evolving insecurity in Nigeria—driven by banditry, insurgency, armed criminality, and inter-communal violence—has led to the proliferation of disjointed disengagement initiatives, often lacking coordination and strategic oversight. To address this, the Government of Nigeria is leading the development of a DDR policy and strategy
This initiative aims to harmonise diverse federal and state-level approaches, institutionalise DDR within Nigeria’s security governance architecture, and align national practice with UN Integrated DDR Standards (IDDRS) and African Union DDR frameworks.
A Policy, Results and Strategy Development Expert is sought to support the design and drafting of the national DDR framework and provide technical support on strategic planning, results-based management, and policy integration.
Purpose of the Consultancy
The expert will support the development of the National DDR Policy and Strategy by applying global best practices, ensuring relevance to Nigeria’s socio-political context, and integrating robust programme development, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems. The expert will work closely with government stakeholders, security institutions, and civil society to co-create an implementable, inclusive and accountable DDR strategy.
Key Responsibilities
Policy and Strategy Development
Support the drafting of the National DDR Policy and Strategy, including vision, goals, pillars, objectives, operational frameworks, and implementation roadmaps.
Ensure the DDR strategy aligns with IDDRS, AU DDR frameworks, and national laws such as the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act (2022).
Integrate cross-cutting issues such as gender, youth inclusion, victim-centred reintegration, transitional justice, and community-based reconciliation mechanisms.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
Develop a results framework for the DDR strategy, including theories of change, performance indicators, baselines, and targets.
Design an MEL system that supports adaptive programming, real-time learning, and data-driven decision-making.
Ensure that the strategy includes provisions for evidence generation, tracking reintegration outcomes, and independent evaluation.
Align the MEL approach with both national M&E guidelines and international standards, ensuring interoperability with DDR information systems.
Capacity Strengthening and Policy Alignment
Support national stakeholders in understanding and applying strategy content through policy briefings, user manuals, and guidance notes.
Train government officials, security actors, and civil society partners on policy implementation, MEL frameworks, and coordination mechanisms.
Advise on integrating the DDR strategy into broader national policies (e.g. National Security Strategy, National Action Plan on PVE, justice sector reforms).
Identify linkages between state and Federal level amnesty and DDR efforts.
Technical Support and Advisory
Serve as advisor to the National Team Lead on matters of policy coherence, results, institutional architecture, and strategic priorities.
Contribute to the preparation of legislative and regulatory proposals that may emerge from the DDR strategy development process.
Review and integrate technical inputs from consultants working on legal reform, community reintegration, data systems, and gender mainstreaming.
Key Outputs and Deliverables
Output
Description
Inception Report
Detailed work plan, methodology, stakeholder engagement map, and risk analysis
Policy and Strategy Review Report
Analysis of existing policies, frameworks, gaps, overlaps, and alignment opportunities
Draft National DDR Policy and Strategy
Complete draft with clear goals, principles, implementation structures, financing, and MEL system
Final National DDR Policy and Strategy
Revised strategy incorporating stakeholder feedback and technical reviews
Results Framework and MEL Toolkit
Theory of Change, indicators, data tools, reporting templates, and adaptive learning mechanisms
Policy Implementation Manual
User-friendly guide for federal and state actors to implement and monitor the DDR strategy
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Public Policy, Peace and Conflict Studies, Political Science, International Development, or related discipline.
Experience
At least 8 years of experience in policy development, monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, peacebuilding or post-conflict recovery.
Proven experience leading the policy and strategy frameworks, preferably in DDR, PVE, or transitional justice.
Demonstrated expertise in designing monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems for complex peace/security or development programmes.
Sound knowledge of international DDR frameworks (UN IDDRS, AU DDR, World Bank’s conflict programming).
Familiarity with Nigerian policy and governance systems, or similar complex political settings.
Excellent facilitation, writing, and communication skills.
International Alert is committed to diversity and encourages qualified individuals from conflict-affected areas, women, and persons with disabilities to apply.
