Title of the action: Elections Security and Information (ESI) Hub
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Contract Period: November 2025 – June 2027
Contract Fees: N1,000,000 (5%-WHT inclusive)
1. Project Context
Nigeria’s elections typically occur in an atmosphere of rising insecurity, which regularly raises concerns about its implications for the conduct of elections (general and off-cycle). In the build up to the 2023 general elections, different parts of the country experienced physical attacks on citizens and security officials, as well as destruction of private property and public facilities by motley that are variously described as bandits, insurgents, and terrorists. This was further compounded by violence during election campaigns and election day. Other threats included the use of propaganda and disinformation by political actors to manipulate public opinion and, cyber-attacks on deployed election technology (i.e., IVED, ABIS, BVAS and IReV). These multidimensional security threats undermine the stability, confidence of voters on the fairness and legitimacy of the electoral process.
Surely, the threats posed by insecurity for elections are manifold, including its impact on the preparations and deployment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ability of political parties and candidates to canvass for votes, ability of voters to exercise their voting rights without interference, the capacity of an already stretched security system to protect the process, and above all, the ability of INEC to declare the outcome of the elections should there be substantial disruption of the process by security breaches and violence. Different agencies and organisations conduct assessments of the security situation in the country, particularly its consequences for elections. INEC, civil society organisations and security agencies have their various systems of monitoring trends. However, these are not only based on diverse methodologies but are also derived from disparate understandings of the critical issues. This often leads to contradictory assessments and perspectives between security agencies on the one hand and other election stakeholders on the other. Consequently, there is no commonly agreed understanding and classificatory schema to ensure standardisation. Thus, it is difficult to say with any certainty what the actual situation of insecurity in a specific location is to enable election stakeholders to determine whether to deploy or not, and what remedial actions are required. In fact, sometimes it is difficult to ascertain the validity and reliability of different threat assessments.
In addition, there is no common system of information sharing among the various agencies conducting these security assessments, and between them and the public. So, there is a wide divergence in sources of information, types of information and dependability of information on election security.
2. Objectives and Expected Results
2.1 Objective
Given the foregoing, there is an urgent need to create a hub to provide a framework for standardisation of data, analysis, scenario building and information sharing among citizens, different agencies and organisations interested in election security. The Election Security Information Hub, which will be hosted by the Secretariat of the National Peace Committee (NPC), The Kukah Centre (TKC), is designed to be technology driven with the following objectives:
- It will be a virtual repository of wide-ranging information on election security. The information will be in the form of texts, videos, recordings, pictures, etc. Based on established procedures, verified users will be able to remotely access the information held in the hub.
- The hub will conduct monthly election security threat analyses based on methodologies to be agreed on by the partners and disseminate such assessments to stakeholders who require them.
- The hub will provide bi-weekly analysis of election security outlook in the form of papers, podcasts, advocacy, and policy asks, advisories and sundry publications.
- The hub will conduct periodic webinars and virtual trainings for interested public agencies, organisations, election administrators, election observers and the public on issues of election security.
2.2 Results
- Enhanced civic vigilance, coordination, and activism for peaceful elections
- Peace, Unity and Security of Nigeria is greatly enhanced towards the 2027 elections by deploying social and traditional media.
- The independent state-based peace architectures contribute to peaceful elections through their media engagement.
- A common location for gathering and sharing election security information is created within the Kukah Centre
- Commonly agreed methodologies for gathering and processing election security threat data is established.
- A system of co-creation among key agencies and stakeholders on election security data gathering and sharing is set up.
- Public education and enlightenment on election security and how it affects the electoral process.
- Policy and advocacy on election security through information gathering and dissemination is supported.
3. Responsibilities and Tasks
- The Research Manager will provide technical leadership for the ESI Hub and oversee all research- related activities within the election security hub. They ensure that data collection, analysis, and reporting align with the hubs objectives and maintain high standards of quality and integrity.
- Develop and implement research strategies and methodologies.
- Supervise the ICT Manager, Data Analyst, Data Clerks, Data Archivist, and Media and Communications Officer.
- Ensure the accuracy and reliability of data collected.
- Produce periodic reports on election security.
- Collaborate with external stakeholders and provide expert insights.
- Stay updated on the latest election security trends and threats.
- Oversees the research function within the organization.
- Ensures research aligns with organizational goals.
- Collaborates with other departments to identify research needs.
- Evaluate research outcomes and recommend improvements.
- Present research findings to senior management and stakeholders.
- Promotes knowledge management in The Kukah Centre and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example.
4. Main Interlocutors
The main interlocutors will be:
- The Kukah centre project Team
- National Peace Committee
- EU–SDGN II Partners
- Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)
- Civil Society Organisations
- Other Consultants engaged under the project
5. Reporting Requirements and Deliverables
Reporting Requirements:
- Reports to the TKC Executive Director/Head of Secretariat (NPC) and supervises all operations of the hub and its personnel.
Deliverables:
Management of research process:
- Number of research cycles completed and knowledge products.
- Average number of days between end of data collection and internal product validation, by type of product.
- % of research cycles with complete documentation folder (validated methodology notes for assessment(s) including all annexes; validated data set(s) and cleaning log(s); validated output(s).
Institutional engagement in research process:
- # and type of actors participating in various steps of research cycles.
- Reported level of satisfaction by actors involved in the research.
- Use of research findings to inform policy response:
- # and type of actors accessing and using drafted research products.
- Reported level of satisfaction by actors using research findings.
- # of references to research findings in key election governance and development planning and response documents.
6. Required Expertise
Person Specification:
We are seeking to a dynamic and reliable individual to lead, manage and improve research, insights and evaluation. An organised individual with strong research and communications skills, a track record of delivering projects and interest in the policy and/or delivery context for democratic governance.
Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge:
- Post graduate degree or equivalent in any relevant discipline, with strong understanding of different social research concepts and approaches.
- A minimum of Seven (7) years directly applicable experience, providing management advisory services, hands–on experience in development related research, evaluation, assessment and programmes.
- Extensive experience in development of research methodologies, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, data processing and management, information analysis.
- Strong analytical, quantitative, and qualitative monitoring and evaluation skills.
- Demonstrable experience working with a variety of stakeholders including government institutions, agencies responsible for managing the electoral process and with political parties, civil society organisations, international development organisations, religious and traditional community groups.
- Professional experience with international and local organisations dealing with democratic governance issues and development aid.
- Proficiency in computerised information management system such as Microsoft Office Suite.
- Excellent Communication and interpersonal skills. Capacity to represent The Kukah Centre in a professional and competent manner with external individuals and organisations.
- Ability to adjust to constantly changing situations while maintaining focus on delivery and follow-through.
- Excellent organisational skills and flexible approach to planning comprehensively, managing and prioritising effectively a high workload and multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Excellent understanding of confidentiality to work.
- Proven experience as a good team player and demonstrably cooperative with members of other teams, responding quickly and accurately to queries and issues.
- Good analytical and conceptual thinking skills with a proven proactive approach to identifying and resolving problems and suggesting improvements that continuously seek to provide a better service to The Kukah Centre.
- A self-starter and able to inspire and influence action.
- Seeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices inside and outside The Kukah Centre.
- Experience developing and presenting material and facilitating workshops
- Professional experience in cross-cultural competence training and projects.
- An understanding of the contemporary social and political context in Nigeria.
Working languages:
- English
7.Location of Work
- Abuja or other project sites as required and as security makes possible.
8. Confidentiality and Data Protection
The Research Manager will maintain the strictest confidentiality on all data collected and related processes. They will actively take measures to prevent the unauthorized sharing of anu information and data belonging to TKC and its partners or collected during their assignment with TKC.
LINK: APPLY HERE
