Duration: Up to 3 months with possibility for extension
Location: Nigeria (with possible field missions across regions)
Supervisor: National DDR Team Lead
Background
The DDR Harmonisation Project aims to develop a unified, strategic national framework for Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration, capable of integrating regional variations, local realities, and existing initiatives into a nationally owned and globally aligned framework. This requires an in-depth understanding of national priorities, existing policies, institutional capacities, legal mandates, and integration with global DDR best practices.
Purpose of the Role
The Policy Writing and Institutional Analysis Expert will provide technical and analytical support in the drafting of the National DDR Framework. This includes conducting institutional reviews, synthesising insights from all expert streams, and ensuring the final framework is cohesive, inclusive, implementable, and compliant with Nigeria’s national laws and international standards.
Key Responsibilities
Policy and Framework Development
Support the drafting of the National DDR Harmonisation Framework in close collaboration with the National DDR Team Lead and Strategy Expert.
Ensure the framework reflects national priorities, legal structures, and aligns with regional peculiarities and community needs.
Integrate inputs from all thematic experts, including justice, security, psychosocial support, reintegration, communications, and research.
Draft policy chapters that clearly define strategic objectives, programmatic approaches, institutional responsibilities, timelines, and monitoring mechanisms.
Institutional and Policy Analysis
Conduct detailed mapping and analysis of relevant national institutions, policies, and governance mechanisms related to DDR.
Identify policy and institutional gaps that hinder harmonisation and propose practical reform or coordination measures.
Review existing subnational DDR or reintegration frameworks and ensure vertical policy coherence with the national framework.
Coordination and Collaboration
Work under the supervision of the DDR Team Lead and collaborate closely with the Strategy and Results Expert to align policy with theory of change, outcomes, and MEL strategy.
Consult and coordinate with key ministries, security agencies, civil society, and development partners to incorporate institutional mandates and inputs.
Facilitate technical consultations, validation meetings, and iterative policy review workshops.
Alignment with Global Best Practice
Ensure the framework reflects international DDR standards including IDDRS modules, international human rights and humanitarian law.
Review DDR practices from similar conflict-affected countries and embed relevant global lessons into national context.
Quality Assurance and Finalisation
Develop a structure, outline and full draft of the DDR Framework, including executive summary, technical sections, annexes, and implementation roadmap.
Prepare briefs, presentations, and technical notes to support stakeholder engagement and national endorsement processes.
Provide inputs for the national launch, communications materials, and policy advocacy sessions.
Deliverables
Inception Report outlining methodology and workplan
Institutional Analysis Report
First Draft of Policy Framework
Revised Draft post-regional consultations, opportunities for alignment and implications for the framework
Final Draft including legal, programmatic, institutional and operational components
Validation and Endorsement Technical Report
Finalised Version with Executive Summary and Annexes
Policy Implementation - Manual User-friendly guide for federal and state actors to implement and monitor the DDR strategy
Qualifications and Experience
Minimum of 10–15 years of progressive experience in public policy development, governance reform, or institutional analysis.
Proven track record of writing national frameworks, strategies, or policy documents.
In-depth knowledge of DDR systems, peacebuilding, post-conflict recovery, and institutional coordination mechanisms.
Demonstrated understanding of Nigeria’s political and institutional landscape; experience working with government is an asset.
Advanced degree in Public Policy, Law, Political Science, Peace and Conflict Studies, or a related discipline.
Strong writing and presentation skills; ability to simplify complex technical content for multiple audiences.
International experience or exposure to similar DDR policy work in Africa or post-conflict contexts is desirable.
Reporting Line
The expert will report to the National DDR Team Lead, with technical coordination with the Strategy and Results Expert and regular liaison with other core experts.
International Alert is an equal opportunity employer. We particularly encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from conflict-affected regions.
