Location: Abuja, with occasional travel to project locations across Nigeria
Duration: Up to 3 months with potential for extension
Engagement Type: Consultancy
Reports to: National Team Lead 


Background

The National DDR Policy Harmonisation and Community Reintegration Project is a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at establishing a coherent, nationally led, and internationally informed framework to support individuals exiting violent and criminal groups. The project combines policy development, operational planning, state-level piloting, and strategic communication to build trust, improve service coordination, and promote sustainable reintegration pathways.

Accurate, timely, and strategically framed documentation is critical to the success of the project. Reports must not only provide factual accounts but also synthesise emerging lessons, identify policy implications, and inform broader DDR and peacebuilding discourse in Nigeria.

Purpose of the Assignment

The Reporting and Documentation Expert will be responsible for producing high-quality, technically sound reports and documentation that presents evidence, stakeholder perspectives, key trends, and actionable insights. These outputs will serve both programme learning and policy advocacy purposes. The consultant will ensure that all knowledge products—activity reports, learning notes, and synthesis briefs—go beyond “minutes” to reflect complex dynamics, strategic opportunities, and policy relevance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Reporting and Documentation


Develop a project-wide reporting framework aligned with the logframe, Theory of Change, and MEL plan.
Draft, edit, and finalise detailed technical reports on key project activities (e.g., inter-agency workshops, DDR policy consultations, joint simulations, community dialogues).
Synthesize reports into digestible knowledge products, including briefing notes, reflection papers, and thematic snapshots.
Ensure each report clearly highlights objectives, emerging lessons, strategic challenges, and practical and policy-level recommendations.


Lessons Learned and Knowledge Management


Work with the MEL team to extract evidence, learning, and community feedback to incorporate into periodic and end-of-project learning reports.
Develop knowledge products tailored for policymakers, security actors, civil society, and donors.
Maintain a library of activity reports, technical briefs, success stories, and field observations to support reporting to donors and stakeholders.


Editorial Support and Quality Assurance


Review and edit documentation produced by other experts (e.g., policy briefs, field reports, concept notes) to ensure consistency, clarity, and professional quality.
Establish and maintain templates and guidance notes for internal reporting.
Ensure that all documents meet high standards in structure, logic, and presentation, including data visualisation where applicable.


Strategic Communication and Dissemination


Work with the Strategic Communication and Policy teams to align messaging and dissemination channels.
Support preparation of donor updates, media summaries, and executive summaries of key reports.
Assist in documenting and packaging results and outputs for dissemination through conferences, stakeholder engagements, and digital platforms.


Expected Outputs and Deliverables




Deliverable
Description




Inception Report
Methodology, reporting calendar, templates, and priority documentation areas


Technical Activity Reports
High-quality reports of workshops, simulations, dialogues, and consultations


Quarterly Synthesis Reports
Thematic reports capturing emerging lessons, trends, and recommendations


DDR Policy and Programme Learning Briefs
Short, policy-relevant insights from fieldwork and stakeholder feedback


End-of-Project Learning Report
Comprehensive final report highlighting achievements, innovations, and policy implications


Knowledge Product Repository
Organised database of reports, briefs, notes, and documentation for donor/stakeholder access




Qualifications and Experience

Education


Master’s degree in International Development, Peace and Conflict Studies, Public Policy, Communication, Journalism, or a related discipline.


Experience


At least 7 years’ experience in technical writing, documentation, or knowledge management in a development, peacebuilding, or DDR context.
Proven track record of producing high-quality reports and learning products for donor-funded or multi-stakeholder projects.
Experience synthesising complex technical or political discussions into actionable recommendations.


Skills and Competencies


Excellent writing, editing, and synthesis skills with an eye for detail and structure.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify key issues and recommendations.
Familiarity with conflict-sensitive approaches, DDR principles, and political economy analysis.
Ability to work independently, meet tight deadlines, and coordinate with multiple technical teams.
Proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint, and collaborative platforms such as Google Docs or SharePoint.


International Alert is an equal opportunity employer. We particularly encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from conflict-affected regions.