Social Cohesion Officer

About this role

The role is for a Social Cohesion Officer based in Maiduguri, Borno. It targets individuals with background in peace, conflict studies or related social sciences and experience in humanitarian or recovery work. The employer, INTERSOS Nigeria, is an independent humanitarian organisation providing aid to disaster and conflict-affected people. The officer will lead conflict analysis, land tenure processes, governance setup, social cohesion activities, and support community mediation and oversight across facilities in the area.

What you would do

• Update conflict and context analysis on a quarterly basis and advise the Project Manager on risks before key decisions.
• Draft and coordinate ownership and tenure instruments for sites with legal input; lead audits and organise public validation meetings.
• Facilitate consultations with landowners, government and communities using free, prior and informed consent principles.
• Support the governance structures by helping groups draft constitutions and by-laws and coordinate elections for facility management committees.
• Set up and support local oversight committees and provide technical support to relevant state bodies; implement safeguards against elite capture.
• Facilitate community dialogues among landowners, host communities, IDPs, returnees, women and youth, and government officials; mediate disputes and escalate unresolved cases.
• Develop and sign Government–Community Compacts; establish Peace and Grievance Committees and train them in dispute resolution.
• Coordinate landowner recognition events and quarterly joint monitoring visits, including community open days.
• Ensure grievances link to the feedback mechanism, report tensions and resolutions, and support social cohesion surveys with the MEAL team.
• Supervise and train community mobilisers, review reports and ensure inclusive meetings, and assess handover readiness for facilities.

What they are asking for

• Master's degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, Development or Law is desirable.
• University degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, Sociology, Political Science, Law, Public Administration, Development Studies or related field.
• Experience with NGOs, UN agencies or government programmes in humanitarian or recovery settings.
• Proven experience facilitating community dialogues and mediating disputes over land, water or shared resources.
• Experience establishing or strengthening community structures such as committees or cooperatives, including elections and constitutions.
• At least 4 years of experience in social cohesion, peace building, governance or conflict-sensitive programming.
• Experience working with traditional institutions and State and LGAs in North-East Nigeria.
• Desirable: experience with Accountability to Affected Populations and feedback mechanisms; livelihoods, WASH or shared assets projects.
• Knowledge of customary and statutory land tenure in Borno State and experience negotiating land-use or ownership agreements.
• Skills in clear writing, facilitation, negotiation and mediation; proficiency in MS Office or Google Workspace; ability to stay neutral and discreet.

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