Opportunity for RESEARCHERS
🚨 CALL FOR VOLUNTEER RESEARCHERS: LOCAL SECURITY AUDIT (LSA) LEAD RESEARCHERS
Women in International Security (WIIS) Nigeria, in partnership with Kabilun Africa Think Tank (KATT) and Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI), is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Local Security Audit (LSA) Lead Researcher.
The opportunity is open to 10 volunteer researchers, with 5 researchers to be based in Kaduna State and 5 in Kano State, Nigeria.
The selected researchers will serve as primary field auditors for a technical Local Security Audit assessing the protection integrity of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) pathways in Northern Nigeria.
📌 POSITION: LOCAL SECURITY AUDIT (LSA) LEAD RESEARCHER
📍 Locations: Kaduna State & Kano State, Nigeria
👥 Slots: 10 — 5 in Kaduna and 5 in Kano
💼 Role Type: Volunteer / Unpaid
💰 Professional Fee: None
🚗 Field Expenses: Eligible transportation and communication/data expenses will be reimbursed
⏳ Duration: Project-based – mobilisation and field audit phase
📅 Deadline: Monday, 24 August 2026
🌍 ABOUT THE PROJECT
WIIS Nigeria, working with Kabilun Africa Think Tank and EWEI, is conducting a technical Local Security Audit (LSA) focused on examining how Gender-Based Violence cases move through local protection, referral, mediation, and reporting pathways.
The research seeks to assess the effectiveness and integrity of existing GBV protection mechanisms and identify potential “security leaks” where serious or potentially high-lethality violence may be diverted into informal mediation instead of appropriate formal reporting and prosecution pathways.
The study will involve field-level assessments within selected communities in Kaduna and Kano States and will generate evidence intended to contribute to broader policy, peace, security, and protection discussions.
🎯 ROLE PURPOSE
The Lead Researchers will serve as primary field auditors during the mobilisation and field audit phase of the project.
Selected researchers will conduct field assessments, administer technical screening tools, undertake Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), collect and manage research data, and contribute to the analysis and reporting of findings.
Researchers will be expected to operate with a high level of confidentiality, professionalism, ethical integrity, and discretion, particularly given the sensitive nature of GBV and security-related information.
🔍 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1️⃣ Field Audit Execution
Lead Researchers will:
- Conduct field audits and assessments across designated locations in Kaduna or Kano State.
- Carry out approved “Secret Shopper” audit activities in accordance with the project’s research methodology.
- Gather field-level information relevant to GBV protection pathways.
- Observe and document relevant processes while maintaining strict ethical and confidentiality standards.
2️⃣ Lethality Screening & Pathway Auditing
Researchers will review relevant local mediation and reporting processes to assess:
- Confidentiality mechanisms.
- Referral pathways.
- Reporting procedures.
- Potential gaps in protection systems.
- Systemic attrition or “Security Silence.”
- The handling and movement of GBV-related cases through local pathways.
3️⃣ Key Informant Interviews
Researchers will conduct structured Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with relevant stakeholders, including:
🔹 Local service providers
🔹 Community focal points
🔹 Institutional gatekeepers
🔹 Other approved stakeholders involved in GBV protection and referral pathways
4️⃣ Data Management & Integrity
Researchers will be responsible for ensuring that field data is handled securely and accurately.
Duties will include:
- Uploading collected qualitative and quantitative data.
- Anonymising sensitive information.
- Encrypting data where required.
- Following approved digital security and data protection protocols.
- Maintaining data accuracy and integrity.
- Protecting confidential information gathered during field activities.
5️⃣ Technical Reporting
Selected researchers will participate in project debriefings and contribute to the synthesis of field findings.
They will provide primary observations and technical input towards the development of the final Security Leak Technical Report and Northern Sensitivity Scorecard.
💰 REMUNERATION & EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
This is a strictly volunteer and unpaid role and does not provide a monthly salary or professional service fee.
However, the project is structured to avoid researchers bearing approved fieldwork expenses personally.
Eligible transportation and communication/data costs incurred during approved field activities will be reimbursed at a pre-approved standardised organisational rate, subject to the submission of supporting documentation and verification.
🌟 BENEFITS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Although the position is unpaid, selected researchers will receive valuable professional and technical exposure.
🏆 Publication Recognition
Researchers who contribute successfully may receive formal attribution and acknowledgement as co-contributors or lead auditors in the project’s final global publication and policy briefings.
🌍 Global Networking
Participants will have opportunities to connect with the Women in International Security (WIIS) network and engage with wider peace, security, and policy networks across Africa.
📚 Capacity Building
Selected researchers will receive technical exposure and training in areas including:
- Local Security Audit methodologies
- Hard security frameworks
- Lethality screening tools
- Digital data sovereignty
- Secure data management practices
✉️ Recommendation
Researchers who successfully complete the audit process to the required standard may receive tailored letters of recommendation from WIIS Nigeria leadership.
🎓 ELIGIBILITY & PERSON SPECIFICATION
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
📍 Location: Must currently reside in, or be able to operate effectively within, Kaduna State or Kano State.
🎓 Relevant Background: Applicants should have prior training with WIIS or experience/background in one or more of the following:
- Peace and Security
- Human Rights
- Gender Studies
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Social Research
- Related fields
🤝 Membership Requirement
Applicants are required to be:
✅ Members of Kabilun Africa Think Tank (KATT).
✅ Registered in the WIIS Nigeria Member Directory.
Interested candidates who are not yet registered are encouraged to review the registration information provided by the organisations.
🧠 Required Competencies
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Strong qualitative research skills.
- Knowledge of Northern Nigerian socio-cultural dynamics.
- High levels of discretion and ethical integrity.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a research team.
- Strong communication and interviewing skills.
- Attention to detail and commitment to research integrity.
💻 Technical Skills
Basic proficiency in:
- Mobile data collection tools.
- Secure digital data practices.
- Digital hygiene and responsible handling of sensitive information.
📩 HOW TO APPLY
Interested and qualified candidates should prepare and submit:
📄 Curriculum Vitae (CV)
📝 Brief Cover Letter
The cover letter should demonstrate the applicant’s suitability for the role and clearly confirm whether the applicant is based in Kaduna State or Kano State.
Applications should be sent via email to:
📧 wiisnigeria@kabilunafricathinktank.net
Email Subject:
LSA Lead Researcher Application – [Kaduna / Kano]
⏰ APPLICATION DEADLINE
📅 Monday, 24 August 2026
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before the stated deadline and ensure that their application clearly indicates their preferred/eligible state.
📥 TERMS OF REFERENCE
The complete Terms of Reference (TOR) provides additional information about the project, methodology, responsibilities, and requirements.
