Project Assistant, ESGBV (Abuja, Nigeria)

International IDEA is collaborating with Action Appointments for this recruitment process. Applications should be submitted to https://www.actionappointments.co.za/idea-nigeria-2026

Context

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) is an intergovernmental organization with 35 member states hailing from different continents around the world. International IDEA aims to support sustainable democracy worldwide, doing so, inter alia, by working with both new and long-established democracies to strengthen the institutions and culture of democracy and enhance the rule of law. Located at the interface of research and practice, International IDEA serves as a forum for dialogue and uses comparative experience and analysis to identify good practices for democracy-building. It also produces knowledge tools and practical guides for democracy support. The Institute maintains a global network of experts, provides training materials, and offers strategic advice to democracy actors at the international, regional, and national levels. The Institute is headquartered in Stockholm with field offices in Africa and West Asia, Europe, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.

International IDEA will be managing the “EU Support to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (ESGBV) in Nigeria” programme. This programme aims to reduce Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Nigeria by strengthening laws and policies, expanding survivor-centered essential services and driving positive social-norm change. It will ensure that people in all their diversity with particular attention to women, girls and the most vulnerable have their rights promoted and protected from all forms of violence through legislation and effective enforcement, while improving the rule of law, tackling impunity, and enhancing access to justice through a more independent, effective, responsive, transparent and gender-sensitive justice sector. The programme also advances Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The programme will work towards three anticipated Outcomes:

• Outcome 1: Facilitate the strengthening, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of key legal and policy frameworks on the prevention of SGBV such as the Violence Against Person’s Prohibition (VAPP) Act, the response to SGBV and the protection of women, men, girls and boys in all their diversity.

• Outcome 2: Improve and expand access to essential services (health, justice, protection and other related services) to recover from experienced violence, especially for survivors from rural communities, conflict-affected communities, persons with disabilities and for victims of technology facilitated GBV; and.

• Outcome 3: Build the capacity of and provide resources to women’s rights organisations, social movements and other civil society organisations to influence and advance progress on promoting favourable social norms to end SGBV.

The Project Assistant provides sound logistical and administrative support to the component that enables the team to achieve their outcomes and targets, in close coordination with other units of project, the other programmes implemented by IDEA in Nigeria and in collaboration with International IDEA’s Africa and West Asia Regional Office. The Project Assistant supports the planning and implementation of the programme, by primarily contributing to one of the outcomes, as well as providing administrative and logistics support.

Duties and Responsibilities

 1. Supports the planning and implementation of the programme by providing financial and administrative assistance;

2. Assists with the preparation of workplans, budgets, travel authorizations/claims, and contracts;

3. Develops, maintains and enhances a database of key programme contacts;

4. Contributes to knowledge production including drafting news articles, programme updates and information briefs; Supports the distribution of publications and information updates;

5. Manages the scheduling of programme activities and develops and maintains a filing system for programme documents;

6. Takes minutes in internal and external meetings;

7. Assists in compiling, summarizing, and preparing background materials including data to support the preparation of project reports;

8. Organizes and coordinates logistical arrangements for meetings, conferences, and workshops (raising procurement documentation and requests, obtaining quotes and booking venues, liaising with attendees, organizing travel, etc.). Assists with the preparation of meeting materials;

9. Assists communication, correspondence and public engagement on social media handles, websites, mailboxes or hotlines;

10. Work with the Communication Officer/Assistant to arrange media and photography coverage of events and in accordance with standards set by the Institute and the EU;

11. Carries out other duties and responsibilities as related to the post that may be assigned from time to time.

Safeguarding

12. Shares responsibility and obligation to safeguard and protect populations with whom they work, including adults who may be particularly vulnerable and children;

13. Has a shared duty to safeguard from the following conduct by staff or partners: sexual exploitation and abuse; exploitation, neglect, or abuse of children, or adults at risk; and any form of trafficking in persons.

General Profile

 • Has developed knowledge and skills through formal training or work experience;

• Adds value to team-based activities in their unit; collaborates with other entities of the Institute as required;

• Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;

• Acts in accordance with International IDEA’ s core values; Respect, Integrity and Professionalism;

• Integrates a gender and diversity perspective in all activities.

Reporting line

 Component (Outcome) Specialist ESGBV NG-FC

Education and Experience

 • Ordinary diploma (OND) or equivalent and preferably business education; University background in in gender studies, public health, psychology, law, political science, sociology, international relations or other related discipline is considered an advantage;

• Minimum three (3) years of relevant professional experience working in a similar role, within project support and administration and logistical planning, preferably in the field of gender, rule of law, democracy or governance;

• Experience of working on EU projects, as well as familiarity with EU processes and systems considered an advantage;

• Experience working in an international context, e.g., in an intergovernmental organization is considered an advantage.

Terms of Contract:

• Local Post.

• Fixed term appointment for two (2) years.

Please note as this is a local post, International IDEA will bear no costs relating to the relocation of the selected candidate to the duty station. This position is open to those legally authorized to live and work in Nigeria for the duration of the contract. International IDEA is not able to support work permit applications. 

International IDEA is collaborating with Action Appointments for this recruitment process. Applications should be submitted to https://www.actionappointments.co.za/idea-nigeria-2026

International IDEA is an equal-opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.