JD-09E Project Associate – Adamawa State

JD-09E Project Associate – Adamawa State

Programme: Advancing Legal Capacity, Coordination and Support for Freedom of Religion or Belief in Nigeria (ACCESS-FoRB Nigeria)

Advancing Legal Capacity, Coordination and Support for Freedom of Religion or Belief in Nigeria (ACCESS-FoRB Nigeria) is a 36-month consortium project to strengthen legal capacity, coordination, and support for religious freedom in Nigeria. Working in Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Adamawa, Kano and the FCT, the project will equip lawyers, law clinics, paralegals, civil society, and justice-sector actors to identify, document, refer, pursue and adjudicate freedom of religion or belief cases. It will establish a Strategic Litigation Lab, legal support coordination framework, digital referral systems, public awareness initiatives, and advocacy platforms to improve access to justice, accountability, fair adjudication, and sustainable protection for affected communities.

Job title

Project Associate – Adamawa State

Role reference

JD-09E

Unit

Project Management Unit – State Level

Reports to

Project Manager; works with the host law clinic hub

Supervises

Coordination of hub volunteers and community paralegals; no line management

Location

Adamawa State

Engagement type

Full-time; 12 months, renewable based on performance and funding

Job Purpose

Act as the focal point and main coordinator for all project activities in Adamawa State. The Project Associate manages stakeholder relations, coordinates capacity-building activities, oversees local documentation and referral networks, and supports the Strategic Litigation Lab at state level.

Key Responsibilities

• State planning and implementation: Translate the approved workplan into monthly and weekly state activity schedules, identify dependencies, confirm responsibilities and deadlines, and obtain approval before changing activity scope, timing or participant groups.
• Activity coordination: Coordinate workshops, town halls, advocacy meetings and capacity-building activities; prepare participant lists, agendas, briefing materials and readiness checklists; confirm venue, accessibility, transport, equipment and material requirements with the responsible administrative staff.
• Stakeholder relationships: Maintain an up-to-date stakeholder directory and professional working relationships with communities, traditional and religious leaders, civil-society networks, the host law clinic hub, local Bar branches and state justice institutions; record commitments and follow up agreed actions.
• Hub and volunteer coordination: Coordinate, but do not line-manage, hub volunteers and community paralegals; clarify assignments, reporting deadlines, supervision arrangements and limits of practice; refer legal questions to qualified and authorised counsel.
• Referral and case follow-up: Use approved intake and referral procedures; check required administrative information; record receipt, transmission, acknowledgement and next follow-up dates; escalate stalled or urgent referrals; never promise representation, funding, protection or a particular legal outcome.
• Monitoring and evidence: Collect and verify attendance, activity outputs, feedback and indicator data using approved tools; resolve missing or inconsistent information; prevent double counting; submit complete evidence to the M&E Officer within agreed timelines.
• Reporting and learning: Prepare accurate monthly and quarterly narrative reports covering activities, outputs, referral status, stakeholder developments, risks, lessons and corrective actions; distinguish verified results from planned or anecdotal outcomes.
• Records and data protection: Maintain organised, current and confidential state files; collect only necessary personal data; obtain consent where required; use approved devices and storage; restrict access; and report any suspected loss or disclosure immediately.
• Safeguarding, security and conflict sensitivity: Apply do-no-harm, inclusion and impartiality standards; complete approved movement plans and check-ins; escalate safeguarding concerns within 24 hours and security incidents immediately; do not investigate disclosures independently.
• Administration and accountability: Prepare timely activity requests and retirements, maintain state-level action and issue trackers, safeguard programme assets, provide early warning of delays, and perform other reasonable duties consistent with the role.

Key Deliverables – First 90 Days

• Local stakeholder and referral directory by Month 1 in post.
• State activity calendar by Month 1 in post.
• Hub-readiness record signed off by Month 2 in post.
• Monthly reporting routine operating.

Performance Indicators

• Monthly reports submitted on time.
• Referral follow-ups completed within agreed timelines.
• Zero unreported safeguarding or security incidents.

Person Specification

Essential: Bachelor’s degree in Law, Human Rights, International Relations, Political Science, Sociology or a related field; at least three to five years’ progressive experience implementing projects in the non-profit sector; proven work in human rights, access to justice, rule of law or peacebuilding in Nigeria; experience engaging grassroots communities, traditional and religious leaders, and government actors; deep understanding of Adamawa State’s socio-political, cultural and religious dynamics; and fluency in English and the main local languages of Adamawa State.

Desirable: LLB; existing networks with law clinics, legal-aid providers or civil-society organisations in Adamawa State; and proficiency in data-management software and digital platforms.

Core competencies: Local knowledge | Relationship building | Organisation and independence | Discretion | Conflict sensitivity

Work Location: In person