Hybrid Community Engagement and Outreach Coordinator – The Hustle-Reality TV show na Search for common ground

Location: Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara States, Nigeria.

Search for Common Ground (Search) is an international non-profit organization that promotes the peaceful transformation of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC, and Brussels, Belgium, Search’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict—moving away from destructive approaches and towards cooperative solutions. With more than 700 staff worldwide, Search implements projects in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and North America.

Search is seeking an experienced Community Engagement and Outreach Coordinator who will be responsible for the effective coordination of programmatic activities and engagements of the Hustle project within the state while providing support for operational and financial aspect of the project within the state. He/She will report directly to the Project Manager and will collaboratively and harmoniously with all project team members.  

“The Hustle” is an innovative reality TV show that will  empower diverse youth from Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto states; ii) enhance their entrepreneurial skills through positive action; and iii) address some of the root causes of conflict and poverty in the region which will all contribute to improved economic empowerment and stronger social cohesion. The Hustle is a 24 months project and is to be implemented across the states of Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto respectively.

The programme will equip young people with the skills and opportunities to create sustainable businesses while encouraging collaboration across ethnic, religious and social divides to promote a positive image of the youth in these states. By addressing some of the root causes of conflict and poverty in the region, The Hustle seeks to promote economic empowerment and social cohesion, while building a new positive perception of youth.

The North West region of Nigeria, particularly Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto (KZS) states, faces a complex and multi-dimensional crisis characterized by widespread criminality and violence, socio-economic challenges, and a deteriorating social fabric. Since 2021, the region has become notorious for insecurity, banditry, and kidnappings and is frequently portrayed in a negative light in the media. The situation is exacerbated by   poverty, high unemployment, and a significant skills gap, particularly among youth. Many young people lack access to quality education, vocational training, investment, and economic opportunities, limiting their employment and professional prospects and making them vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups and criminal networks. Despite their resilience and potential, young people often find themselves sidelined, confronted with negative stereotypes and mistrust from their elders who disregard their abilities and prevent them from playing a meaningful part in society. Such social exclusion and conditions exacerbate the cycle of poverty and violence, as young people struggle to break free from the limitations of their circumstances, leading to frustration and perceptions of exclusion which in turn threatens social stability. These problems are particularly acute among youth from marginalized groups such as women and ethnic or religious minorities.

Search for Common Ground is recruiting for the position of Community and Outreach Coordinator in the states of katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara for an anticipated 24-month action, “The Hustle” which will be a reality TV programme designed to capitalize on the positive contributions of young people when supported to work together, address existing conflict drivers within North West Nigeria while fostering healthy competition to demonstrate that while conflict is inevitable violence is not. The Hustle will provide a platform for young people from various backgrounds to come together, collaborate, develop their entrepreneurial skills, and pitch innovative business ideas. It will act as a catalyst for positive change by focusing on the economic empowerment of diverse youth and encouraging collaboration across societal divides. By showcasing the value of collaborative leadership and humanizing the journeys of young Nigerians, especially in the North West, it will break down barriers, promote mutual understanding, and build relationships based on shared goals and aspirations. Through these interactions, the initiative will help shift negative perceptions, highlight the positive contributions of North West youth, foster a sense of unity, and offer new socio-economic prospects. As participants collaborate with a range of stakeholders and benefit from tailored support to bring their projects to fruition, they will gain entrepreneurial experience, navigate complex social dynamics, and change both local and national perceptions of their role in addressing the region's challenges. By highlighting their potential as innovators and contributors to society, the programme will challenge negative stereotypes and foster a more inclusive and optimistic discourse about the region's future. 

The project goal is supported by the following specific objectives:

Objective 1: Enhance diverse young people's entrepreneurial and peacebuilding agency within their communities.

Objective 2: Raise awareness of young people's positive leadership and social and economic contributions to their community.

The project’s expected outcomes include stronger entrepreneurial and peacebuilding skills among participants and increased public recognition of youth as vital contributors to social and economic development. By featuring youth-led business ideas and peacebuilding efforts, the programme will help bridge societal divides, inspire broader social change, and create sustainable business models that address the structural drivers of conflict in North West Nigeria. The programme will be disseminated through a comprehensive media campaign, including TV broadcasts and digital platforms. By combining entertainment with educational content, The Hustle will help to shift perceptions and inspire young people across Nigeria to positively contribute to their communities through entrepreneurship and collaboration.