Call for Application: Engagement of Social Media and Community Influencers on the “Promoting and Protecting Freedom of Religion and Belief” (PP-FORB Nigeria) Project.

Terms of Reference

Call for Application: Engagement of Social Media and Community Influencers on the “Promoting and Protecting Freedom of Religion and Belief” (PP-FORB Nigeria) Project.  (Remote Job)

About Search for Common Ground

Search is an international conflict transformation NGO that aims to transform the way individuals, groups, governments, and companies deal with conflict, away from adversarial approaches and towards collaborative solutions. Headquartered in Washington DC, USA, and Brussels, Belgium, with 52 field offices in 29 countries, Search designs and implements multifaceted, culturally appropriate, and conflict-sensitive programs using a diverse range of tools, including media and training, to promote dialogue, increase knowledge and determine a positive shift in behaviors.

Context Analysis

Religion is deeply embedded in all aspects of Nigerian life – shaping citizens’ moral values and their moral understanding of the world, especially in times of crisis.  While there are no official indicators of religious affiliation in Nigeria, most analysts say it is roughly evenly divided between Muslims and Christians. The country has the largest Muslim population in sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated that 9% of the population belongs to other or no religious groups. Religious affiliation is an important identity in the lives of most Nigerians; 87% of Nigerian citizens believe that religion plays an important role in their life. Religious and cultural pluralism is the daily experience of millions of Nigerians. Notwithstanding the existence of religious tensions, the reality is that most Nigerians want to live in harmony with their neighbors of different faiths. A Pew Research report found that 71% of Nigerians think that it is a good thing for people of other faiths to have the freedom to practice their beliefs. 

In addition, the fundamental right to religious freedom in Nigeria remains tenuous, with numerous violations committed by public and private actors alike. Citizens have been tried and convicted for blasphemy, with accusations sometimes triggering ‘mob violence.  Additionally, non-state actors have carried out attacks against religious leaders, houses of worship, and broader religious communities for years. Over several decades, the fundamental right of citizens to religious freedom has been threatened by acts of murder and mob violence.

Project Objectives

 The overall goal is supported by three specific objectives and the corresponding six intermediate results and three expected results which will guide the project’s activities:

Objective 1: To establish effective Early Warning/Early Response (EWER) and referral mechanisms for addressing FoRB violations and violence along religious lines in Nigeria.

Objective 2: To strengthen support mechanisms for individuals at risk of FoRB violations.

Objective 3: To enhance public understanding of interfaith conflict and the importance of FoRB. 

Theories of Change:

The proposed project is premised on the following Theory of Change (ToC): 

IF Religious Leaders, Security Agencies, civil society actors and other key stakeholders leverage new and existing platforms to anticipate, prevent, respond to, and address religious-based conflicts and their root drivers AND IF citizens have access to effective and trustworthy FoRB support mechanisms, AND IF capable and conflict-sensitive media practitioners enhance public understanding of FoRB THEN there will be a decrease in religious-based divisions, tensions, and violence BECAUSE citizens will be equipped to implement a holistic series of prevention, response, and support mechanisms,  addressing every aspect of the ‘violence cycle’, including both long- and short-term drivers of religiously-motivated violence.

Purpose of Engaging Social Media and Community Influencers

Search is seeking to engage 20 influential social media influencers drawn from diverse religious backgrounds from the 6 geo-political zones to disseminate peace messages in a conflict-sensitive manner towards promoting FoRB and mitigating religious-based violence across Nigeria.

Ahead of the dissemination process, the successful candidates will be trained on Search’s Common Ground Approach to Religious Engagement, a proven approach that equips practitioners, religious leaders and everyone seeking to engage in peacebuilding activities to understand how and to what extent religion matters and to then determine whether and how to engage with religious actors and institutions during times of both peace and conflict. They will be trained on how to create conflict-sensitive content which will enhance the capacity of the influencers to utilize their existing platforms to disseminate conflict-sensitive messages that promote interfaith harmony and FoRB in Nigeria. 

Geographic Locations

The social media influencers will be selected across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

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• Search will carry out due diligence by being conflict and gender-sensitive among other factors such as religion and beliefs in the process of engaging the social media influencers. The criteria will be based on but not limited to the following criteria:
• Locally based in the target locations 
• Strong motivation for driving social change 
• Reasonably large followership and influence on social media, and offline in the locations. 
• Evidence of promoting peaceful narratives on various platforms/mediums 
• Ability to create flyers online. 

• In order to ensure Search is working with change-makers who have or can influence their network  positively, significant checks on the previous online engagement of the social media influencers  will be carried out to determine if the intended influencers are willing and able to promote conflict sensitive messaging regarding FoRB using their online and offline platforms.  

• At the inception stage, successful social media influencers will be inducted and trained on Search’s Common Ground Approach in relation to improving conflict-sensitive reporting and advocacy for FoRB on social media and other related communication  platforms. The training will enhance the knowledge of participants on conflict-sensitive communication of peace messages in relation to FoRB. Search will advance its Common  Ground Approach throughout all of its Strategic Communication activities to ensure they maintain  a high degree of sensitivity when discussing such a sensitive topic.  
• The social media and community influencers will utilize their platforms to promote Search’s media interventions on the project alongside positive messaging aiming a promoting and protecting freedom of religious and belief. Note that the social media influencer is expected to work remotely from his/her own space. 

• Successful influencers will be trained on  Search’s Common Ground Approach and its values.  
• Successful influencers will have a better understanding of promoting conflict sensitivity content online.
• Additionally, they will know and appreciate the need to promote and protect freedom of religion and belief.
• They will become aware of the various policy frameworks on FoRB and apply them in  their online activities  
• Empowerment with the right skills and tools to actively engage in peace processes online
• Network with like-minded online peacebuilders 

• Develop at least 3 creative content weekly on FoRB and share with Search for approval before posting online. 
• Utilize recommendations from snapshots to create content to address false rumors, hate speech, and misinformation and also offer relevant accurate messages aiming at tackling  misinformation and misunderstanding around FoRB.   
• The content should convey conflict-sensitive messages that will enhance the efforts for  increased acceptance of FoRB.
• Submission of a monthly report with content developed, screenshots of content shared, and  provide social media analytics. 

• Must be between 18 & 30 years of age
• Must be resident in Nigeria.
• Ability to communicate in English and any other local language, verbally and in written forms.
• Proven track record of leadership roles and influence in a community – agreeable, sociable,  and pleasant
• Must have some basic storytelling skills 
• Must be relatable and commands trust and respect in the community 
• Demonstrable experience as a far-reaching Social Media Influencer – crafting creative  content Attention to detail
• Have access to the internet at every contact, a working Email account, Social media  handles especially Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
•  Reasonable large following and highly dedicated viewership across multiple channels especially on Facebook, Instagram  or  Twitter 
• The ability to process detailed information effectively and consistently.
• Must be a social entrepreneur i.e. uses traditional and New media for social good
• Familiarity and experience with the religious, cultural and traditional sensitivities in Nigeria. 
• Knowledge and experience of volunteerism in its diverse manifestations and cultural settings would be an advantage.
• The ability to work effectively with others in order to achieve a shared goal
• The ability to absorb new information readily and to put it into practice effectively
• The ability to remain fully functional by adapting to changing circumstances (environment,  procedures, and people).

• 3 months, effective from March 2025.

• Each applicant must submit the following: 
• Link to top social media handles
• Declaration of any association or membership registered or affiliated to
• A statement of interest with proof of experience in social media  use for social good, a peace champion, a change maker, community influence, and  management in not more than 500 words

• SFCG will evaluate applications based on the following criteria:  
• Track record of leadership qualities, experience, and an expression of interest to carry out same (30%) 
• Understanding of the proposed project narrated in the technical requirements per the SOW.  (30%) 
• Review of the personal statement of interest detailing the proven ability to be a social media and community influencer, a peace champion, a change maker, a community influencer, and a manager (40%)  

Note: Only two documents can be submitted, all required documents must be combined.

Logistical Support

Search will organize a one day virtual induction and training and provide airtime reimbursement for participants after the activity. 

Search will facilitate 8 quarterly online exchange meetings with the social media influencers

Search will provide monthly stipends to cover internet costs. 

Interested candidates are invited to send their letter of application and resume to nigeriahr@sfcg.org

Submitted offers will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and selection made according to the above criteria.