by FIDAFIDA Nigeria pre-election assessment findings on women political participation & violence threats ahead of the 2023 general elections
1.0. Introduction
On Saturday 25th February 2023, Nigerians will exercise their franchise across 176,606 polling units across the country towards electing suitable candidates for Presidential and National Assembly seats. This election marks the third major election conducted following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2022 after the Ekiti and Osun states off-cycle Governorship Elections with attention hinged on the Independent National Electoral Commission (Electoral Management Body) performance in administering the polls.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Nigeria) has diligently observed situational happenings and pre-election incidents ahead of the general elections. We have observed an upsurge in the total number of registered voters with an increase from 84,004.084 million at the last general elections in 2019 to about 96.2 million presently. This indicates that more citizens are engaging in the political process and have taken advantage of the continuous voter’s registration towards ensuring that their votes count at the polls.
Interestingly, from the total number of registered voters pegged at 96.2 million, Nigeria women/female voters account for about 47.51% of the total number of votes. There has been an increase in the number of female voters from 39,598,645 to 44,414,846 and from 47.14% in 2019 to 47.51% in 2023.
Statistics from the Independent National Electoral Commission indicate that about 15,303 candidates representing registered political parties are contesting available seats in the General Elections namely Presidential, National Assembly, Gubernatorial and States Houses of Assembly nationwide. However, only about 1,557 females constituting about 10.17% are contesting as candidates which is below 13% representation totaling 3,163 in 2019. This has clearly reiterated the fact that Nigeria’s democratic experience has not expanded opportunities for meaningful participation and representation of women in politics and governance and a reduction in participatory elective positions for females.
Our Pre-election findings have indicated that Violence and insecurity, among other factors, contribute to the low level of women’s participation in politics and decision-making in Nigeria.
FIDA Nigeria with support from the UNWomen and the Government of Canada has assessed the security environment of the 2023 General elections most especially across four focal states of our intervention mainly Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, and Kwara states, emphasizing election risk factors that could negatively impact election security, cause electoral violence, and limit women’s participation.
2.0. Methodology/ Approach
FIDA Nigeria with support from UNWomen and the Government of Canada under the Advance Women Political Participation Project will observe the participation of women and forms of violence perpetrated against women in the 2023 General Elections through 80 mapped and selected observers who are being accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission to identify, observe, document and report incidences of violence against women pre, during and post elections. These trained citizen observers have been deployed across 66 Local Government Areas in the aforementioned focal states.
We developed violence against women in elections perception survey tool which was administered in November 2022, through face-to-face interviews. Enumerators conducted the interviews mainly in the English Language but sparingly complemented with the local Language to facilitate comprehension for the rural residents. Using a stratified random sampling technique, geographic quotas were assigned to ensure the selection of a representative sample proportionately covering most local government areas (LGAs) in the focal states.
Consequently, with the aid of a geographic information system, FIDA Nigeria monitored in real-time the movement and location of Enumerators on the field. In addition, a common WhatsApp group was created to serve as a real-time clearinghouse for raising and addressing concerns or challenges encountered in the field. In view of the foregoing, FIDA Nigeria is confident of the validity of the data generated and utilized for the analysis. This perception largely corresponds to findings from other qualitative sources, including documented sources, the internet, and newspaper report amongst others.
Ahead of the 2023 General Elections, We had further developed an election monitoring tool that will be administered by our accredited observers. We will leverage on partnerships with other civil society actors in observing, documenting, and reporting women participation and incidences of violence perpetrated against women. FIDA Nigeria citizens’ engagement will be made possible through the establishment of a central situation room at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, the Nigeria Capital where our data analysts will be documenting and analyzing incidences and findings from our accredited observers.
A total of 1,558 respondents who were 18 years and above participated in the survey, The general public are respondents who may not have vast, technical knowledge of the subject matter. Specifically, this group includes artisans, civil servants, youths, and businesspeople, among others.
3.0. General Observations/Expectations
i. Low Representation of Female Candidates: Ahead of the Presidential & National Assembly Elections. We have observed that only few women emerged as candidates of political parties. For instance, out of 18 candidates contesting for the coveted seat, only one (1) is a female amounting to about 5.5% representation. Furthermore, from the 1,101 candidates contesting for 109 seats in the Nigeria Senate, only 92 from this number are females representing about 8.35%. Similarly, only 286 persons out of 3,111 candidates contesting for 360 seats in the Federal House of Representatives are females amounting to about 9.2% representation. Cumulatively only 1,557 females constituting about 10.17% are contesting as candidates for all positions in the 2023 General Election.
ii. Identification of 31 Local Government Areas as hotspots triggering violence against women ahead of the 2023 general elections: FIDA Nigeria through her quantitative surveys had identified key hotspots and areas that will militate against women participation in Borno, Plateau, Kaduna and Kwara states. These local Government Areas include: Ifelodun, Ilorin West, Irepodun, Isin, Kaiama, Moro, Offa , Oke ero (Kwara State). Bassa, Shendam, Riyom, Qua’an Pam, Jos East and Kanam (Plateau State). Zaria, Sanga, Sabon Gari, Lere, Kubau, Kajuru, Kaduna South, Jema”a, Ikara, Giwa, Igabi, (Kaduna State) and Marte, MMC, Damboa, Gubio, Damboa, Bama (Borno State). These identified hotspots have been penciled as high-priority areas and presented to the respective security and peace-building architectures towards effective deployment of personnel and materials towards improving women participation and forestalling violence perpetrated against women.
iii. High Expectations for Peaceful Elections towards increased women political participation: Across the four focal states, the expectations for a peaceful election towards enabling women participation is quite commendable. The overall outlook of a peaceful election in the state is quite impressive, with 69.3% of respondents affirming that position in Kaduna State. In Kwara state, 87% of respondents displayed high optimism for a peaceful election. Similarly in Plateau state, 76.4% affirmed this position. In Borno State, 71.8% shared the same optimism. Elections are expected to be peaceful in Kachia, Kaduna North, Chikun, Kagarko, Kaura, Kauru, & kudan Local Government Areas of Kaduna State. In Plateau state, high expectations exist in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Jos North, Jos South, Lantang North, Lantang South, Mangu, Mikang, and Pankishin LGAS. Similarly, Asa, Baruteen, Edu, Ekiti, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Oyun, and Pategi have an average expectation for a peaceful election. Conclusively, Mafa, Magumeri, Bama & Jere are seen as LGAS with high optimism in Borno State
• Issues that can trigger Violence against Women in Elections: Our pre-election findings from respondents across the four focal states have averagely indicated that many factors could engender violence against women in the election. These include and are not limited to economic hardship(79.8%), discrimination against women (79%), kidnapping (80.4%), assassination (78.9%), ethnic, religious & communal clashes (83%), inadequate presence of security agencies (54.1%), media (62.9%), insurgency (83.8%), party thugs (94.2%) , hate speech (94.8%), issues affecting voters registration/non-collection of permanent voters card (88.7%), discrimination (90.7%), economic hardship (93.4%), court judgment (75%), vote buying (96.7%), lack of synergy between INEC & Security Agencies etc amongst others.
iv. Securing the polls: We expect strategic deployment of security personnel across the 176,606 polling units of the state towards forestalling any form of violence at the polls which will limit the participation of women in the general elections. The deployment of 310,973 police personnel by the Nigeria Police is a step in the right direction however the numbers fall short of the global best practice of a minimum of four security personnel stationed in every polling unit as we may have less than 2 persons per polling unit. We call on other sister agencies like the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Federal Road Safety Corps amongst others to massively deploy their personnel at the polls to checkmate all forms of violence perpetrated against women and checkmate vote-buying that may impede the credibility of the poll. We hope to find security personnel at the polling units identified by their name tags , demonstrate non-partisanship in the discharge of their responsibilities and abide with the revised code of conduct and rules of engagement for security personnel on electoral duty.
v. INEC logistical arrangements to aid priority voting for vulnerable female groups: We expect early deployment of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials at the polling units as well as election officials at the commencement of polls. This will help to promote confidence in the system and improve credibility of the poll. We have observed that the Independent National Electoral Commission has religiously followed her set timetable & schedule of activities sequel to the elections which are in consonance with the dictates of the Electoral Act. We hope that the Election Management Body abides by her 2018 framework on access and participation of persons with disabilities in the electoral process and the provisions of the Disability Act of 2019 towards ensuring effective and seamless participation of women with disabilities, nursing mothers, pregnant women, aged/elderly women and other vulnerable groups at the polls.
vi. High turnout of female voters: We expect that the increase in registered voters will translate to more voters especially women participation at the polls. We recall that at the 2019 general elections, only 28,614,190 voters representing about 35.66% of the total voting population exercised their franchise. We expect that due to increased voter’s awareness and continuous voter’s registration, which has witnessed an increased number of registered women voters to 44,414,846, more women will participate actively which will transcend to an increased voters turn-out at the polls.
vii. Functionality of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System: We have observed the success of the mock accreditation system to test the functionality of the BVAS across 436 polling units nationwide and hope that the system is well configured towards aiding the accreditation and voting process at the polls. FIDA Nigeria through her field observers will critically observe the functionality of the BVAS across the polling units in the states of our observations
viii. Separate Queues for Women: Towards reducing barriers to women participation in these elections due to cultural and religious factors, we expect that INEC will create separate queues for male & female voters which will provide an enabling environment for favorable participation from female voters.
4.0. Recommendations
In light of the foregoing, key actors in the electoral processes particularly INEC, political parties, security agencies, mass media, and Civil Society Organisations need to pay increasing attention to the identified risk factors limiting women’s participation with a view to tackling them headlong. This demands short, medium, and long terms interventions that will address the roots of the highlighted contradictions in a sequential manner.
As such, the following recommendations are considered pertinent:
- There is a need for all stakeholders, particularly INEC, political parties, mass media and CSOs to put in place machinery to tackle all forms of violence perpetrated against women in elections.
- Deployment of Electoral materials (Sensitive & Non –Sensitive) across all Registration Area Centres and polling units timeously is key for an improved political participatory process for women
- Effective regulation of the mass media not just to ensure compliance with established rules and standards, but also ensure enforcement of penalties when such rules and standards are violated, especially with respect to equality of access for all parties and candidates to state-own media outlets, as well as the broadcasting and/or publishing of hate speech.
- Greater attention should be paid to the training, welfare and professionalism of security agencies in providing election security. Issues of logistics, timeliness and adequacy of deployment are of critical significance.
- Effective collaboration and synergy with other stakeholders especially INEC, political parties and CSO should be cultivated and sustained.
- Prompt responses to the early warning signs identified in this report should be seen as a priority by appropriate authorities.
5.0. Conclusion
These findings incorporated an assessment of the security environment of the 2023 General elections. It specifically explored the prospects or otherwise of peaceful election that can promote women’s participation, drawing insights from election risk factors that could negatively impact election security and trigger electoral violence against women in elections.
It is imperative that Stakeholders respond effectively to the issues raised in this report ahead of the General Elections across the Nation.
May God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Amina Agbaje (Mrs)
Country Vice President/National President
by FIDAOverview of FIDA Nigeria Situation Room
The FIDA Nigeria situation room is being established to collate, document, report and escalate issues triggering and limiting women participation at the 2023 General Elections to appropriate authorities and relevant institutions through our selected & accredited observers in the four focal states of our intervention namely Borno, Kwara, Kaduna and Plateau states
The anticipated outcome will herald effective observation, and reportage of incidences of violence perpetrated against women in elections through synergy with law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
The situation room will be operational in two phases:
The Presidential /National Assembly Elections:
The situation room will be open on these days at Nicon Luxury Hotel with the following sub activities being implemented:
Thursday 23rd February 2023 (10am) – Launch/ Opening of the Situation Room (Nicon Luxury)
Dissemination & Release of our preliminary findings on pre-election environment as it affects women participation.
Friday 24th February 2023 (10am) – Briefing of Data Analyst and Incident Reporters
Briefing of Accredited Observers virtually
Attending to reports emanating from the Field observers
Saturday 25th February 2023 – (7.30 am) –
Collation & documentation of incidences pertaining Women participation and violence against women in Elections
Release of preliminary Election Statement on participation of women & violence incidents against Women at the 2023 Presidential/ National Assembly Elections in focal states.
Wednesday 1st March 2023 (10 am).
Release of Post-Election Statement on participation of women & violence incidents against Women at the Presidential/ National Assembly Elections in focal states.
Friday 10th March 2023 (10am):
Learning Dissemination Event on the Presidential & National Assembly Elections as it pertains women participation
Saturday 11th March 2023 (7.30 am):
Collation & documentation of incidences pertaining Women participation and violence against women in Elections.
Release of preliminary Election Statement on participation of women & violence incidents against Women at the 2023 Presidential/ National Assembly Elections in focal states.
Tuesday 14th March 2023 (10 am)
Release of Post-Election Statement on the participation of women & violence incidents against Women at the Governorship/State House of Assembly Elections in focal states.
Hotlines For Election Reporting
Towards mitigating all forms of violence perpetrated against women, FIDA Nigeria working in synergy with Law Enforcement agencies to ensure a safe and secure environment for women to fully participate in the polls and exercise their franchise has released a list of hotlines across focal states. Through these Hotlines, Members of the public can report any suspicious act or acts of violence perpetrated against women by unscrupulous persons or groups of persons capable of disrupting the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general election at their various polling units.
FIDA Nigeria will upon receipt of these reports escalate such reported incidences to the appropriate authorities to provide speedy response thus ensuring perpetrators are investigated, arrested and meant to face the full ambit of the law.
The public can contact us through the following hotlines:
FIDA Nigeria Situation Room (Abuja) – +2347088496115
FIDA Plateau-+2349025156545, +2348036016029
FIDA Borno – +2348039479561
FIDA Kaduna – +2349045843002, +2348053465759
FIDA Kwara -+2348033603532
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria holds a three-day capacity-building workshop for Traditional and Faith Leaders from Northern Nigeria
FIDA Nigeria on the 16th of February 2023, organized a three-day capacity-building workshop for Traditional and Faith Leaders from Northern Nigeria. 25 of these leaders are drawn across three Northern states namely Plateau, Bauchi and Katsina.
The objective of this workshop is to improve preventive and response measures on SGBV& CEFM by these selected leaders having knowledge of local realities that promote this menace. This activity commenced on Thursday 16th and will be concluded on Saturday 18th February 2023 in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Holds a capacity-Building workshop on increasing gender-sensitive information and awareness-raising on the menace of SGBV & CEFM for Traditional & Faith Leaders across Southern Nigeria
FIDA Nigeria is currently Organizing a Three-Day Capacity Building Workshop for 25 Traditional and Faith Leaders drawn from 16 Communities across three focal states in Southern Nigeria namely Delta, Edo and Ebonyi.
The activity commenced on Thursday 9th February 2023 and will culminate on Saturday 11th February 2023 in Asaba, Delta State.
The workshop aims at increasing gender-sensitive information and awareness-raising on the menace of Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) and Child Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM) through strengthening traditional and faith based Leaders on the prevention and response strategies in local communities where these issues are prevalent through this training.
These Community and Faith-based Leaders will be able to institutionalize and establish coordinated response and referral pathways in tandem with Law Enforcement agencies towards arrests and prosecution of perpetrators of these crimes while working with state actors to create a gender-sensitive and protective environment for survivors.
by FIDAFIDA trains election observers on documenting violence against women in Plateau State
With barely two weeks to the nation’s general elections, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, has identified violence as a major cause hindering the effective participation of women in politics.
It also decried the steady decline in women’s participation in politics, especially at the parliamentary level.
Country Vice President/National President FIDA, Mrs. Amina Agbaje said this at the capacity building workshop for accredited election observers, on documenting and reporting violence against women during the 2023 general elections, held in Jos, the Plateau State Capital.
Agbaje said, “Women constitute a powerful electorate with millions of votes in Nigeria.
“According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian women signaled their intention to make their voices heard in the 2019 elections, accounting for about 47.14 percent (39, 598, 645 million) of the 84, 004, 084 million registered voters nationwide.
“Going into the 2023 general elections, there has been an interest in the number of female voters from 39, 598, 645 to 44, 414, 846 and from 47.14% in 2019 to 47.51% in 2023.
“Women represent about 50% of the Nigerian population; in spite of this, their level of participation and representation is increasingly very poor”, She lamented.
“Current statistics of women in parliament in Nigeria confirm that women’s representation in parliament is on a steady decline.
“9% in 2007, 7% in 2011, 5% in 2015, and less than 10% in the 9th National Assembly”, the FIDA President decried.
“Using the 2015 figures, there are only 4 women deputy governors in all of Nigeria’s 36 States”, She maintained.
“While factors militating against women’s participation are varied, a major cause hindering effective participation of women in politics is the issue of violence”, she explained.
Agbaje maintained that eradication of political violence was key in advancing women’s political participation stressing the importance of condensing political violence before and after polls to allow women participate fully.
“It is on this premise that this capacity building workshop is being organised towards advancing the participation of women in the 2023 general elections by strengthening our selected observers who are being accredited by INEC to identify, observe, document and report incidences of violence against women in the elections.
by FIDA2023 Election: FIDA Nigeria holds workshop on reporting violence against women
As the 2023 general elections draw nearer, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) on the 2nd of February 2023, held a workshop to train observers on reporting acts of violence against women during elections in Nigeria.
In her address at the program, the FIDA Nigeria Country Vice President/National President, Mrs. Amina Agabaje, which was delivered by the Ilorin branch FIDA chairperson, Barrister Gloria Okoduwa stressed that the one-day workshop is meant for accredited observers on observing, documenting and reporting incidences of electoral violence perpetrated against women before and during the 2023 General Elections.
She revealed that a similar workshop was being implemented across the four focal states of the intervention namely Kwara (North Central), Borno (North East), Plateau (North Central) and Kaduna (North West).In her words,
“Women constitute a powerful electorate with millions of votes in Nigeria. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian women signaled their intention to make their voices heard in the 2019 election, accounting for about 47.14 percent (39,598,645 million) of the 84.004.084 million registered voters nationwide.
“Going into the 2023 general elections, there has been an increase in the number of female voters from 39.598,645 to 44.414.846 and from 47,14% in 2019 to 47.51% in 2023 evidently women represent about 50% of the Nigerian population.
“In spite of this, their level of political participation and representation is increasingly very poor.
“Current statistics of women in parliament in Nigeria confirm that women representation in parliament is on a steady decline. 9% in 2007, 7% in 201-1, 5% in 2015 and less than 10% in the 9th National Assembly. Using the 2015 figures, there are only 4 women deputy governors in all of Nigeria’s 36 states. While factors militating against women participation are varied, a major cause hindering effective participation of women in politics is the issue of violence.
“She noted that the eradication of political violence is key in advancing women political participation as it is of paramount importance to condense political violence before and after elections so that women can fully participate in elections.
“The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in laying credence to this fact have clearly recognized that, elections have triggered outbreaks of violence in which women and girls were victimized which have made women a tool of political harassment and violence before during and after elections.
“This has made female voters continue to be disproportionately affected by various forms of election-related violence or threats of violence which is the effect of keeping them away from the polling stations more than male voters.
“It is on this premise that this capacity building workshop is being organized towards advancing the participation of women in the 2023 general elections,” she said.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria is recruiting to fill the positions below
Vacancy for the position of project officer, Edo State
ABOUT FIDA NIGERIA
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Nigeria) is a non-profit, non-political, voluntary association of women called to the practice of law in Nigeria. FIDA Nigeria’s primary role is to protect, promote and preserve the rights of women and children in Nigeria. Its core values are transparency, accountability, teamwork, integrity, mutual respect, commitment, service and we are non-partisan.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Project Officer
Location: Edo State
Job Type: 1-year Contract
Reports to: Programme Manager.
Job Summary
- The Project officer under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager will support the Programme Department in project implementation, project delivery, reporting, resource mobilization, and other related needs were necessary.
- Under the supervision of the Programme Manager, provide technical leadership on the implementation of the project in the State.
- Plan and implement project activities in the state in close collaboration with the resident FIDA State branch and proactively deal with arising challenges, nuances, or changes.
- In collaboration with the resident FIDA state branch, develop and maintain stakeholder and network relationships which are essential to the successful implementation of the project.
- Develop products and prepare project and activity reports, technical briefings, background papers, and update notes for the Palladium project in the State.
- Work to ensure the successful implementation of the project in the state;
- Contribute to the adherence to donor/grant requirements, including financial standards.
- Collaborate with the Finance staff to ensure the proper management of financial records, including the provision of complete documentation for requests and retirements.
- Support the smooth and effective flow of communication with FIDA Nigeria and the state branch.
- Support the Programme Manager and other project staff in maintaining communication with partners, including official letters, requests for technical assistance, and the process of identifying participants and national experts, including trainers, for activities under the project.
- Represent (with approval from the Branch Chairperson and Program Manager) the state branch at meetings, and workshops relating to this project and report back to the respective persons.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the National Exco, Branch Chairperson, or Branch Exco and the Programme Manager.
Qualifications & Competency Requirements
Minimum of a BSc in Law, Social Science, Arts, or any other related field.
Minimum of 2-3 years cognate working experience within the NGO Space.
Knowledge of SGBV & CEFM issues, advocacy, research, and policy development.
Excellent presentation, facilitation, problem-solving and analytical skills.
Ability to communicate (written and verbal) effectively with a wide range of audiences at various levels.
Ability to build and maintain relationships with partner agencies and key contacts in the government, NGO, civil society, and media sectors.
Ability to work independently and manage various projects with limited supervision.
Good knowledge and use of MS Suite (excel, word, PowerPoint and outlook)
Must be resident in Edo State
Willing to start immediately
Languages Skills:
- Must be fluent in English.
Application Closing Date:
Friday 3rd February 2023
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should forward their Cover Letter and CV to: hr@fida.org.ng using the Job Title and Location as the subject of the mail.
Note
- Resumes should include references.
- Do NOT send links to online resumes or CVs.
- Candidates should use the following subject in their email submission “Job Title”
- Only successful candidates will be contacted.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria organized a one-day validation workshop on the proposed Kano State ACJL rules towards improving the speedy dispensation of corruption cases
FIDA Nigeria with support from MacArthur Foundation in implementing a project on “Strengthening collaboration among Criminal Justice actors to deepen the Criminal Justice Architecture to ensure the effective implementation of the ACJA/ACJL” in 6 States of the Federation, as one of its activities sought to provide technical support in the development and or review of the practice directions on the ACJL in its implementing states, in line with the project’s goal of effective implementation of the ACJL as well as improving Judicial transparency, accountability, and Anti-corruption.
On this premise, FIDA Nigeria on the 18th of January 2023 held a validation workshop on the proposed draft of the Kano State ACJL Rules of 2022 resulting from the workshop held on the 1st of December, 2022. Upon validation by all stakeholders present, it was agreed that the clean copy of the document be forwarded to the Honourable Chief Judge of Kano state for his signature.
FIDA Nigeria will through this process across its other implementing states, support the development and review of the State’s practice direction on the ACJA/ACJL, to aid quick dispensation of justice, particularly in corruption cases.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria confirmed by INEC as an accredited observer for the 2023 national elections
FIDA Nigeria has acquired an accredited observer status with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). As a result of this accreditation, FIDA Nigeria will train and deploy about 300 field observers across 4 states (Borno, Kaduna, Kwara & Plateau) on the Women’s political participation project and other 32 states inclusive of FCT to observe the participation of women and forms of violence perpetrated against women during the General Elections.
FIDA Nigeria will coordinate this observation through a central situation room at the National Capital, Abuja. This will be supported by the UNwomen and Govt of Canada
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria is recruiting to fill the positions below
Programme Officer, Accounts Officer 2, and Asst. Communications Officer
VACANCY FOR THE POSITION OF PROGRAMME OFFICER.
ABOUT FIDA NIGERIA
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Nigeria) is a non-profit, non-political, voluntary association of women called to the practice of law in Nigeria. FIDA Nigeria’s primary role is to protect, promote and preserve the rights of women and children in Nigeria. Its core values are transparency, accountability, teamwork, integrity, mutual respect, commitment, service and we are non-partisan.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Program Officer
Location: Abuja
Job Type: Full Time
Reports to: National Programmes Manager.
Job Summary
The Programme officer under the direct supervision of the National Programme Manager will support the Programme Department In project implementation, project delivery, reporting, resource mobilization, and other related needs were necessary.
Job Responsibilities
- Grant writing/ proposal writing tasks to receive or obtain grants from prospective donors.
- Support and produce reports of meetings, activities and workshops/trainings, as directed.
- In collaboration with the communications and MEAL team ensure that lessons, success stories and quality data are collected, analyzed and properly disseminated to numerous and varied target audience.
- Provide regular updates and reports to the Programme Manager, on progress, priorities and constraints – verbally and in writing on an agreed frequency.
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with a network of external contacts like key individuals in the government, NGO sector, civil society and the media.
- Contribute to formulation of key advocacy messages and targets from lessons learned.
- Ensure regular meetings are conducted among the project team on progress work and further analysis on needs for change to donor requests through open and constant channels of communication with donors.
- Conduct networking and advocacy activities that help to develop and sustain work relationship with internal/external stakeholders.
- Leverage on strategic relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders at the sub-national and national levels.
- Ensuring monthly, quarterly and annual project narrative reports are prepared and documented promptly, aligning with project design and donor requirements.
Qualifications & Competency Requirements
Minimum of a BSc in Law, Social Science, Arts or any other related field.
Minimum of 2-3 years cognate working experience within the NGO Space.
Knowledge of SGBV & CEFM issues, advocacy, research and policy development.
Excellent presentation, facilitation, problem-solving and analytical skills.
Ability to communicate (written and verbal) effectively with a wide range of audiences at various levels.
Ability to build and maintain relationships with partner agencies and key contacts in the government, NGO, civil society and media sectors.
Ability to work independently and manage various projects with limited supervision.
Good knowledge and use of MS Suite (excel, word, power point and outlook)
Willingness to travel to any part of the country for project activity implementation at short notice.
Languages Skills:
- Must be fluent in English.
Application Closing Date
25th January 2023.
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should forward their Cover Letter and CV
to: hr@fida.org.ng using the
Job Title and Location as the subject of the mail.
Note
- The document should be a cover letter first.
- Resumes should include references.
- Do NOT send links to online resumes or CVs.
- Candidates should use the following subject in their email submission “Job Title”
- Only final candidates will be contacted.
VACANCY FOR THE POSITION OF FINANCE OFFICER II
ABOUT FIDA NIGERIA
Job title: Finance Officer 11
Location: Abuja.
Job type: full time
Job Summary
- The Finance officer II under the direct supervision of the Finance Manager will assist the finance team in performing routine finance tasks and helping the program team on finance-related needs were necessary.
Responsibilities and Essential Duties
- Raise day-to-day payment vouchers as required
- Ensures that all supporting documents are available and attached to the payment vouchers
- Ensure effective handling of office petty cash
- Posting of financial transactions on Sage 50
- Ensure travel and activity advances from the field offices are retired timeously
- Ensure all vouchers are serially numbered and stamped paid
- Ensure proper filling and archival of finance documents for easy retrieval
- Make payments to participants for meetings and workshops
- Support the unit with maintaining healthy cashflow across the states
- Support with budgetary function and provide guidance to various units on budget lines and budget implementation
- Ensure proper photocopying and scanning of monthly payment vouchers
- Support the Finance Officer in the submission of PAYE and Withholding Tax Cheques
- Ensure the safe receipt, handling, and banking of Staff retirements funds
- Support the state team with finance-related field activities
- Backstop for the Finance Officer when necessary
- Financial budgeting for project proposal
- Traveling, disbursement of funds, and project monitoring
- Project financial report
- Complete other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree or HND in Accounting, or Finance.
- Minimum of 1 – 2 years working experience with a donor-funded project.
- Knowledge and experience of USAID regulations is a plus. Experience using Sage 50, QuickBooks, Ms. Office packages especially Ms. Excel is required.
Languages Skills:
- Must be fluent in English.
ApplicationClosingDate
25th January 2023.
MethodofApplication
Interested and qualified candidates should forward their Cover Letter and CV
to: hr@fida.org.ng using the Job title and location as
the subject of the mail.
Note
- The document should be cover letter first.
- Resumes should include references.
- Do NOT send links to online resumes or CVs.
- Candidates should use the following subject in their email submission “Job Title”
- Only final candidates will be contacted.
VACANCY FOR THE POSITION OF ASST. COMMUNICATION OFFICER
Job title: Assistant Communication Officer
Location: Abuja
Vacancy Type: fixed-term, renewable
Terms of Reference
Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop and publish press statements advocating for issues or reflecting views within the FIDA mandate, subject to the approval of the Communication Officer
- Plan and implement communication campaigns e.g. press conferences.
- Develop and publish the periodic FIDA Alert.
- Develop and publish content for the E-LOYA magazine.
- Populate FIDA’s social media handles with current branch and national activities.
- Maintain and establish relationship media partners to ensure that the activities of the organisation are publicised.
- Monitor, upgrade, re-design and publish/upload information on the FIDA Nigeria website.
- Provide I.T support to the National Secretariat.
- When required, participate in and support courtesy visits to key partners and stakeholders along with or on behalf of the National Officers.
- Represent FIDA at meetings, trainings, workshops etc. on publicity, media, IT and communications, with approval of the National Executive Committee.
- Collaborate with colleagues to create synergy and achieve full coordination of projects and activities. Perform other duties as assigned by the National President/Country Vice President, the National Publicity Secretary, other National Officers and the Program Manager.
Competencies
1. Professionalism:
Demonstrates professional competence in women and children’s rights and rule of law as well as, knowledge of related policies and practices at the national, regional and international levels;
Demonstrates knowledge of programme management cycle, including monitoring and reporting;
Ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues with a display of persistence;
Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results;
Motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
2. Teamwork:
Ability to collaborate with colleagues within and outside of FIDA Nigeria to achieve organizational goals;
Ability to solicit inputs by genuinely valuing the ideas and expertise of others;
Willingness to learn from others;
Support and act following the team and organizational decisions.
3. Planning & Organizing:
Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate, and monitor work while prioritizing competing demands;
Foresight for risks and contingencies when planning.
4. Communication:
Ability to write clearly and concisely and to communicate effectively with a range of audiences, including the ability to prepare reports and make presentations in a variety of fora;
Ability to conduct presentations by clearly formulating positions on issues, articulating options concisely, conveying maximum necessary information as well as making and defending recommendations.
Qualification
- A degree in Bsc in Mass communications, social sciences, Arts
- At least three (3) years of relevant work experience in communications, social media management, content creation or other related field.
- Ability to create graphic designs using Canva, indesign, Photoshop or CorelDraw.
- Photography skill is desirable.
- Knowledge of WordPress website management, maintenance, monitoring traffic and performance.
- Excellent Oral and Written Communication Skills and a creative eye.
- Discretion and ability to handle confidential issues.
- Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with others in a diverse team, across organizational boundaries and multiple locations, and with team members at all levels.
- Confidence and enthusiasm when communicating with both external partners and the internal project teams in formal and informal presentations
- A passion for social change with interest in the field of gender equality, human rights, SOGIESC, social justice, and civic engagement.
- Exceptional professionalism, follow-through and people skills.
- Personal qualities of humility, capacity for self-reflection, and/or a sense of humour is a plus.
- Availability to travel within and outside Nigeria.
Qualified candidates should send their curriculum vitae and application addressed to the Country Vice-President/National President to hr@fida.org.ng
The subject of the e-mail should be “Communications officer”.
Deadline:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.