ILRI Consultancy- SPARC – Farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria

International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit to undertake a case study in Nigeria. The consultant will work as part of an inter-country disciplinary team finalising the research protocol, and then organising and undertaking the research in-country and writing up a country-focused report.

ILRI works to improve food security and nutrition and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe, and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 11 CGIAR research centers dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, ILRI has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa.

Background

ILRI as a collaborative partner in SPARC is undertaking research on land tenure in pastoral areas as a contribution to understand the root causes of conflict. SPARC’s recent review on farmer-herder conflicts highlighted the need for more case study research on the causes of farmer-herder conflicts, and their impact on among other local food production systems and the role of women and youth.

ILRI in collaboration with ODI and Mercycorps will undertake a case study in two countries to better understand the root causes of farmer-herder conflicts together with the political economy context, the impacts of these on local food production systems among other, and the role of women and youth in the conflicts. This will include a country desk-based literature review on farmer-herder conflicts, trends, influencing forces, narratives and roles of different actors and field-level qualitative case study research on the causes and dynamics of conflict.

Key research questions for the study are:

• What are the causes (including root causes), influencing forces, triggers and sparks of two case study farmer-herder conflicts? This will be done retrospectively looking back to a conflict that has taken place in the last 5 years.
• What is the impact and outcomes of the conflict (negative and positive) including on local food production systems, and what were the influencing factors on these?
• What is the involvement of women and youth (including female youth) in the conflict, what are the dynamics of these and influencing factors> What are the specific challenges they face? What are their coping strategies? How do these conflicts impact their access to food and livelihoods?

A consultant is required to undertake a case study in Nigeria that will contribute to the above research questions, working as part of an inter-country disciplinary team finalising the research protocol, and then organising and undertaking the research in-country and writing up a country-focused report.

Scope of Work

The consultant will hold responsibility for the case study research in Nigeria working under the supervision and guidance of the project ILRI research leads. The consultant will be responsible for the following:

• Undertaking a literature view and key informant interviews at national level on the status, trends and dynamics of farmer herder conflicts in pastoral areas in Nigeria.
• Refinement of case study research protocol to fit the Nigerian context including checklist of questions and supporting participatory tools for focus group discussions and key informant interviews.
• Identification of potential case study research sites, to be agreed with ILRI and partner research leads.
• Undertaking the research including organising local logistics equipment and local supporting research team. This will include training in research methodologies as required. An important element of the research should be the inclusion of women and youth.
• Analysis and writing up of the research results according to an agreed outline.
• Present the findings of the research at a small meeting of key stakeholders for feedback and approval.
• Finalisation of report based on feedback.

Final Products

A final report including literature review and research report, with recommendations for addressing farmer-herder conflicts. 

Consultancy Fee:   By mutual agreement based on agreed milestones and deliverables.

Post location:    Nigeria

Expected places of travel:  Nigeria pastoral areas

Duration:    15th October 2023 – 15th March 2024

Essential skills and qualifications

• A Master or PhD degree in natural resource management, agriculture, drylands, sociology, geography or other relevant disciplines
• At least ten years’ experience working in research in NRM, conflict and social issues in pastoral areas of the case study country of focus
• At least five years’ experience managing small research teams for field work using qualitative and participatory research tools
• Proven significant practical knowledge of pastoral areas of the case study country of focus with at least five years field work experience
• Fluent written and spoken English as well as working language of the case study country of focus
• Some experience of monitoring tools for land tenure security and advantage

How to apply: 

Please apply as per the details provided below, including a short research proposal presenting the following:

• An outline of key research questions that you consider will be important to address the outline of the research presented above.
• Participatory tools that you will use within focus group discussions to facilitate dialogue to answer these research questions.
• A list of key stakeholder groups that you would target for semi-structured interviews.
• A proposed timeline for the undertaking of the research based on a project proposed outline of literature review completed by end of October, fieldwork commences in early November for not more than 30 days, and write-up completed by mid-January.
• A proposed team for undertaking the research.
• Proposed areas/communities for the single location in which the case study research could be undertaken and justification for these based on indications above (exact sites will be confirmed later).
• A proposed budget for the research on the understanding that the consultancy contract will be a lumpsum consultancy contract including all in-country field/research costs for which the consultant will be responsible for.

Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Director, People and Organizational Development by clicking on the "Apply Now " tab above before 15th September 2023.   The position title and reference number SLS/1156/2023 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

To find out more about ILRI, visit our websites at 

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer