Nigeria plays a very strategic role on the African continent. Not only is it the continent’s largest economy by GDP, but it is also the most populous. The sociopolitical and socioeconomic position of Nigeria on the continent means that whenever there is conflict, it reverberates across the African continent, sometimes with negative ripple effects. Given that Nigeria experienced a devastating Civil War shortly after it attained independence in 1960, and given the country’s recent ‘war’ against Islamist terrorism as perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect, and considering the propensity of Nigeria’s political transitions to be violent, there have been a growth in the number of international organisations working for peace and development in Nigeria. With the increase in the number of organisations, comes an increase in the number of job positions. This article highlights five organisations offering peace and conflict studies jobs in Nigeria. Suffice to add that the list is not exhaustive as there are many organisations setting up offices in the country yearly.
Description: Founded in 1945, and currently made up of 193 member states, the United Nations is arguably the biggest employer of individuals involved in peace, development and conflict resolution work. The UN’s many organs and several specialized agencies mean that there are a plethora of opportunities for people seeking jobs in peace, conflict and development studies.
In Nigeria, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is arguably the biggest organisation offering peace and conflict jobs. The UNDP’s mandate is to eradicate poverty through sustainable and inclusive human development. The organisation has been in Nigeria since 1960 when the country attained independence. For close to 60 years, the organisation has provided support for the government’s quest to implement development interventions aimed at meeting medium to long-term goals.
Qualifications: Typically, the United Nations expects applicants to possess first degrees in peace and conflict studies or related social science and humanities disciplines. Postgraduate degrees and work experience are an advantage.
Description: The United States Institute for Peace (USIP) is one of the world’s leading nonpartisan and independent conflict management centres. Created by the US Congress, the USIP works to prevent and mitigate international conflict without resorting to violence.
The USIP is very active in many conflict-prone countries including Nigeria. The organisation provides training, guidance, resources, and analysis for those working to prevent or reduce violent conflict. The USIP actively operates in 51 countries and has staff in 13 of those. The organisation regularly seeks people to join their team in Nigeria. Common advertised positions include: Senior Advisor, Community Engagement Officer, Country Manager, Programme Coordinator, etc.
Qualifications: The United States Institute for Peace (USIP) expects applicants to possess first degrees in peace and conflict studies or related social science and humanities disciplines. Postgraduate degrees and work experience are an advantage.
Salary: Entry level job salary not fixed, but it is typically $37,462-$56,523 per year.
Description: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS is one of the longest and most consistent organisation in Nigeria providing peace support operations and also working actively with local communities to build peace and development. Since the early 1960s, the organisation has consistently worked for peace and development in Nigeria. Even at the peak of the Nigeria Civil War, the CRS remained in the country, despite grave threats to her staff. Shortly after the Nigerian Civil War, the government of General Yakubu Gowon asked all international organisations to leave the country. The CRS left. However, soon after the return to democracy in 1999, the organisation returned and has been very active in the country since then.
CRS works in conjunction with the Catholic Church and other faith-based and community-based organisations, as well as government institutions to implement a range of complex programmes aimed at peace and community development. The organisation is especially active in health programming in the country.
CRS presently implements a multi-sectorial agriculture-led livelihoods project to empower very poor households. CRS supports households to increase their agricultural production and incomes, as well as improve comprehensive nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene education in response to livelihoods challenges faced by many farming households in Northwest Nigeria.
Qualifications: A first degree in humanities and/or social sciences. A postgraduate degree in peace and conflict studies would be an added advantage.
Description: The International Crisis Group (ICG) works independently to not only prevent wars, but also influence policies that ensure a more peaceful world. Recognising the impact poverty and bad governance have on societal peace, the ICG builds support for the good governance and inclusive politics that enable societies to flourish, by engaging directly with a range of conflict actors to share information and encourage nonviolent responses to conflicts.
The ICG utilizes on-the-spot field research by engaging directly with parties involved in a conflict, thereby getting firsthand clearer perspectives to conflicts. This helps them publish comprehensive reports and timely commentaries that helps shapes policy that ultimately limits threats to peace and security.
The ICG recognises the challenges posed by the plethora of security and humanitarian problems plaguing Nigeria and it seeks to, with the support of local organisations, and in conjunction with government agencies, help to shed ‘new lights’ on the security challenges in the country, play active roles in helping to de-escalate risks and tensions, as well as encourage regional and gender-specific approaches towards sustainable resolution to conflicts.
Qualifications: A first degree in humanities and/or social sciences. A postgraduate degree in peace and conflict studies would be an added advantage.
Salary: Salaries for ICG range from $32,300-$41,630 yearly.
Description: Search for Common Ground is one of the world’s most visible organisation working for the resolution and prevention of conflicts around the world. The organisation recognises that conflict and differences are inevitable, but it believes such conflicts and differences do not need to degenerate into violence. Search for Common Ground utilises an action oriented intervention that involves consensus-based advocacy, training, conflict resolution, human rights monitoring and reporting, as well as facilitating dialogue processes that engages all levels of society.
Search for Common Ground has been working in Nigeria since 2004. The organisation understands Nigeria’s cultural and religious diversity, thus it applies innovative approaches to promote sustainable peacebuilding initiatives. The organisation focuses its work in volatile and conflict-prone areas in Nigeria. It has offices in Abuja, Jos, Maiduguri and the oil-rich southern city of Port Harcourt.
Qualifications: A first degree in humanities and/or social sciences. A postgraduate degree in peace and conflict studies would be an added advantage.
Salary: Salaries for Search for Common Ground range from $30,333 to $41,623
