Security Consultant, Africa At World Bank

Security Consultant for project preparation at the World Bank

Location: home-based, with travel to the region if applicable

Closing date: 15 Nov 2021

Introduction

The World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) requires Borrowers to assess and manage potential social risks and impacts arising from Bank-funded operations, including threats to human security through personal, communal or interstate conflict as well as more general crime or violence. Under the ESF, Borrowers are required to prepare Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) that identify risks posed by high levels of conflict and violence and use these assessments to prepare Security Management Plans (SMP) to address and mitigate these risks during implementation.

As the World Bank increases its financial and technical support to more countries affected by fragility, conflict or violence (FCV), the SRA, SMP and other security risk assessments as relevant will become key inputs for project design and implementing arrangements. These assessments will also help staff to think systematically and strategically about the security threats, vulnerabilities, and the specific risks of operating in highly insecure environments and be able to integrate mitigation measures where possible into project design and implementation and monitoring plans.

To provide technical assistance to the Borrowers to undertake high quality security and risk assessments, the World Bank is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from qualified individual consultants that have the requisite background and experience, especially in Africa.

Tasks and Deliverables

The selected consultant shall:

a. Provide regular security risk monitoring and guidance for project supervision

In collaboration with World Bank task teams and specialists assigned to the project, the security consultant shall provide regular security-related updates, including threat assessments, risk analyses, conflict maps, and security briefs regarding project implementation areas. These assessments shall cover risks for project supervision by the World Bank, but also identify potential risks to project beneficiaries that could affect or negatively impact the fulfilment of development objectives. This task also includes preparing inputs for reports to management, operational tools for project teams and other security related analysis as needed.

b. Support Borrowers, their project units and consultants to prepare and finalize the Security Risk Assessments(SRAs) and Security Management Plans

The consultant will assess SRAs prepared and submitted by Borrowers, highlighting potential gaps and areas where more granular risk analysis is necessary in order to depict the full extent of potentially negative consequences of insecurity for project beneficiaries, project activities and local communities. This work will be guided by the principles in the World Bank’s ESF and existing industry best practices.

c. Provide training as needed to the Borrower in security risk assessment and management as it applies under ESF principles and guidance and existing industry standards;

d. Examine the Borrower’s draft SRAs and SMPs

Assess the extent to which Borrowers adequately identify key security stakeholders (military, police, non-state actors, community self-defence groups, ex-combatants, women’s groups, youth organizations etc.) that are active in project areas, as well as how potential security related incidents can result in safety, operational and reputational risks for the Bank-funded project;

e. Liaise with Government counterparts and other security actors including humanitarians as needed (possibly security officials, local government and local communities) under the guidance of the World Bank task team and specialists.

Selection Criteria

The required qualifications are:

1. Master’s degree in a field related to International Security, Social Sciences, Public Policy or other areas relevant to conflict and security;
2. At least 7 years of demonstrated experience in a security risk management role in the international development sector
3. At least 3 years of field-based experience relating to security planning in conflict-affected countries
4. Ideally more than 1 year work experience in a development finance institution
5. Proven knowledge of security best practices in field locations, including compliance processes for contractors and consultants;
6. Understanding of the application of the security risk management cycle for development projects in particular and World Bank if possible;
7. Experience in coordination and liaison with contractors/consultants and State armed security elements deployed to site, community representatives and project level management structures;
8. Experience with the development and implementation of project security risk management plans and procedures encompassing multiple stakeholders
9. Integrity, high degree of self-organization, ability to work under tight deadlines and on multiple priorities;
10. Strong written and oral capacity in French and English (fluency); additional language skills at fluency level in Portuguese is also desirable and could substitute for French
11. Ability to travel to and in the region (post pandemic or as circumstances allow).