Fragility, Conflict and Violence Short Term Consultant | Chad Support

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.

The demand for WBG expertise and operational engagement on FCV has increased over the last few 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 ensure consistency, complementarity, and synergies in approaches across the WBG.

Over the last two decades, the Sahel region has become increasingly fragile, with waves of conflict destabilizing the region. All G5 Sahel countries (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania) are either actively in conflict or dealing with its consequences (including refugees). Initially led by the presence of violent extremist groups, the disputes have 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.

Chad is a low-income, landlocked, and fragile country in the Sahel region. Conflict and violence have risen sharply since 2015, with 2021 being the deadliest year on record. The nature and causes of conflict vary by region, from Boko Haram attacks in the Lake Chad area to violence around mining exploitation in Tibesti, and conflict around natural resources, fueled by climate change, in the south-eastern provinces. In addition to chronic instability along the borders, these conflicts have resulted in a forced displacement crisis. Chad is the world’s fifth-largest receiving country, with 520,000 refugees and 400,000 IDPs. The rapidly worsening food insecurity crisis is compounding the existing vulnerabilities.

The World Bank is deeply engaged in the Sahel region, including Chad. It has made it a priority for the International Development Association (IDA)—the World Bank’s fund for the poorest will provide an increased amount of IDA financing in alignment with its institutional strategy for Fragility, Conflict, and Violence. In this context, Chad has been eligible to receive the IDA19 Prevention and Resilience Allocation (PRA), which provides additional funding for countries facing risks of high-intensity conflict.

The challenge for the WBG in Chad is to ensure that large 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 analyze the evolving situation continuously and to adjust the country’s 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

Through its Chad country office, the World Bank is implementing an increasing number of activities related to addressing FCV in the country. The objective of the requested services is to support the Chad FCV country coordinator and relevant teams in the following activities:

· Support the preparation and monitoring of projects financed under IDA19 and soon IDA20 and support teams to ensure that FCV issues are taken into account in their operational work;

· Support dialogue and partnerships on forced displacement and operational support to operations financed through the Window for Host Communities and Refugees (WHR);

· Under the overall guidance of the Country Management Unit (CMU), support the CMU on FCV related partnership aspects, such with the UN, EU, Alliance Sahel, and other relevant development, security, and humanitarian partners on FCV matters; This entails representing the WBG in coordination meetings, liaising with partners on relevant activities and providing updates on WBG financed activities;

· Coordinate ongoing efforts on conflict monitoring and early warning systems that are financed by the WBG and support dialogue with the government agencies and other partners on these issues;

· 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 through regular meetings, and support the preparation of regular progress reports, an annual report by the government and the preparation of internal 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 documents;

· 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 Niger and Chad, based in Niamey, Niger. S/he will collaborate with the Chad Country Office, the Country Management Unit based in Bamako, Mali, the FCV Group based in Washington DC, and other relevant teams.

The consultant will be based in N’Djamena, Chad.

Timing and Resources

The services requested are expected to be provided between August 2022 and October 2022. A total number of 60 consultancy days will be allocated to this work. After this period, upon agreement with the TTL, the consultant, and the managers, the contract could be extended beyond those initial 60 days.

Required Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have primary expertise in fragility, conflict, and development. An in-depth understanding of World Bank operations, policies, and procedures is advantageous. S/he will be familiar with how development aid can support conflict risk mitigation and the broader peace agenda and project preparation and implementation challenges 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 5 years of professional experience related to FCV contexts.

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

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

· 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.