Short Term Consultant – Mali FCV support At World Bank

Background

Addressing issues related to Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV) is critical for the World Bank Group (WGB) to achieve its twin goals of eliminating extreme poverty by 2030 and promoting shared prosperity in a sustainable manner. Currently, more than 1.5 billion people live in countries or regions affected by fragility, conflict, or extreme violence. At the current pace of poverty reduction, the number of extreme poor in fragile and conflict-affected countries is expected to increase by 2030 and will constitute between 40-60% of the global poor. In addition to the 36 countries and territories that are classified as fragile or conflict-affected by the Harmonized List of Fragile Situations, extreme poverty in LICs and MICs is increasingly concentrated in fragile areas such as lagging regions and urban slums, where violence is a prominent factor. Moreover, recent relapses of conflict in a number of LICs and MICs (e.g. Mali, Egypt) demonstrate that decades-long gains in poverty reduction can be quickly reversed. Such relapses often have a region-wide impact on other well-performing countries (e.g. Syria on Lebanon and Jordan, Somalia and Sudan on the Horn of Africa).

The demand for WBG expertise and operational engagement on FCV has increased over the last years, and it is expected to further grow in the period to come. The challenge for the WBG is to maximize the impact of its engagement on FCV issues, by: (i) mainstreaming and scaling up FCV programs across the WBG; (ii) ensuring quality and impact, including by developing new, evidenced-based business models where needed; and (iii) leveraging partnerships with other development, humanitarian organization and stakeholders. The FCV Group aims to steer and drive the FCV agenda within the WBG, and to ensure consistency, complementarity, and synergies in approaches across the WBG.

Over the last 2 decades, the Sahel region has become increasingly fragile with waves of conflict destabilizing the region. Currently, all G5 Sahel countries (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania) are either actively in conflict or dealing with its aftermath (including refugees). Initially led by the presence of violent extremist groups, the conflict has now become more localized with inter-community tensions driving fragility in areas previously unaffected by violence. Existing exclusion, perceptions of injustice, marginalization and inequality, lack of confidence towards governments in ensuring justice, security and inclusive policies, and fluid distinctions between extremism, violent insurrections, community struggle and banditry have emerged as key drivers of conflict.

Since 2012, Mali faces an acute conflict in its northern regions, accompanied by an unprecedented level of political and social fragility. The multifaceted crisis of 2012 involved a rebellion in the north; a violent extremist insurgency; and a military coup in the capital Bamako. The initial crisis was partly resolved through several measures: a French-led military intervention against violent extremist forces in January; an interim civilian caretaker administration that gave way to an elected civilian president in 2013; and the signing of the 2015 Algiers Accord, which sought to create peace between the Malian government, northern ex-rebel groups, and northern loyalist militias. These measures, however, have not yet led to a cessation of violence in the north, particularly given the durability of violent al-Qaida and Islamic State subsidiaries.

Alongside the lingering effects of the 2012 crisis in the north, insecurity has spread into central Mali. The crisis in central Mali is both recent, given that the current wave of violence dates to 2015, and long-term, given that it reflects land use disputes, resource competitions, and intra-ethnic and inter-ethnic tensions. The insecurity in the Center involves extremist violence against state authorities and civilian populations but also multi-sided ethnic conflict. These patterns threaten to spread further south, with violent events reported in bordering areas of Koulikoro, Kayes, southern Segou and Sikasso regions.

The World Bank is deeply engaged in the Sahel region and has made it a priority for the International Development Association (IDA)—the World Bank’s fund for the poorest—which will provide $8.5 billion in IDA financing, a record increase in resources made available to this region, in alignment with its institutional strategy for Fragility, Conflict and Violence. Four out of the five Sahel countries, including Mali, are potentially eligible to the IDA19 Prevention and Resilience Allocation (PRA), which provides additional funding for countries facing risks of high-intensity conflict.

The challenge for the WBG is to ensure that such volumes of assistance can be programmed and implemented effectively in support of a broader international effort aimed at peace and stability. This in turn requires strengthening the WBG’s ability: to analyse the evolving situation on a continued basis and to adjust the country program accordingly; to build results-driven partnerships with other stakeholders, including political, security, and humanitarian actors; to tailor the design of activities to the specific challenges faced by these countries; and to resolve implementation challenges in a context of low capacity and insecurity.

Support to be provided

The World Bank through its Mali country office is implementing an increasing number of activities related to addressing FCV in Mali and the broader Sahel region. The objective of the requested services is to support the Mali FCV country coordinator and relevant teams in the following activities:

· Support to preparation and monitoring of projects financed under IDA19 and support to teams to ensure that FCV issues are taken into account in their operational work;

· Policy dialogue, partnerships and coordination with the UN and other relevant development, security and humanitarian partners on FCV matters;

· Monitoring of commitments made as part of the Prevention and Resilience Allocation (PRA) eligibility process, in close link with the dedicated inter-ministerial working group, and support to the PRA annual reviews;

· FCV analytical and communications work as necessary related to the various facets of fragility and other FCV initiatives, including the preparation of notes, briefs, presentations, talking points, speeches and any other relevant document;

· Logistical support to FCV-related work (e.g., organization of missions, workshops, meetings etc.)

· Provide, if needed, demand-driven support and specific contributions as determined by the Task Team Leader (TTL).

The consultant will work under the supervision of the FCV Country Coordinator for Mali. S/he will collaborate with the Mali Country Management Unit, the FCV Group, based in Washington DC, and with other relevant teams, as needed.

The consultant will be based in Bamako, Mali.

Timing and Resources

The services requested are expected to be provided between September 2021 and December 2022. A total number of 30 consultancy days will be allocated to this work, with the option of agreeing on additional days from January 2022.

Required Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have a primary expertise in fragility and conflict and development, as well as an in-depth understanding of World Bank operations, policies and procedures. S/he will be familiar with ways in which development aid can support conflict risk mitigation and the broader peace agenda, and with challenges of project preparation and implementation in FCV and insecure contexts. S/he will meet the following selection criteria:

· Master’s Degree in International Affairs, Political Science, Conflict Studies, Development or related field.

· Minimum of 3 years of professional experience related to FCV contexts.

· Excellent knowledge and understanding of conflict and fragility dynamics in Mali.

· Strong knowledge of the landscape of development cooperation in Mali.

· Experience working on development policies and projects gained in the field in FCV settings.

· Significant project management experience, strong organizational skills and the ability to manage the delivery of assignments within deadlines.

· Strong interpersonal, and team skills, with demonstrated ability to build strong networks and work with teams to achieve results.

· Significant experience coordinating, negotiating and facilitating interactions with development partners and government officials.

· Familiarity with World Bank operational policies and procedures and experience in preparing World Bank documents would be an asset.

· Excellent command of English and French, both orally and in writing.

· Excellent writing, presentational and communication skills.