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Consultancy to Manage the Coordination of the European Interagency Security Forum

Rationale and Overall Objective:

The European Interagency Security Forum (EISF) is in the process of recruiting a new Executive Coordinator. To allow a seamless transition between the outgoing and incoming Executive Coordinator, a consultancy opportunity has arisen.

The overall objective of the consultancy is to ensure that the ongoing projects and work of EISF are continued and finalized and, as appropriate, new projects identified.

Background:

The European Interagency Security Forum (EISF) is an independent platform for security managers from European humanitarian agencies operating overseas. EISF emerged in 2006 as an independent NGO network, facilitating collaboration and information exchange on humanitarian security-risk management at the strategic, systematic and policy level. Over the past 5 years, the Forum has established itself as a reference point for applied practice, collective knowledge and current challenges in security-risk management.

Recognising that humanitarian agencies need to develop expertise in security-risk management in order to deliver aid effectively in unpredictable operating environments, EISF’s vision was to become a global reference point for humanitarian agencies. Our primary objective is to enhance the security of aid workers, by strengthening integrated security-risk management approaches, allowing increased and sustainable access to populations in need. In this way, good security-risk management should facilitate the improved impact of humanitarian assistance.

EISF works directly with 60 European humanitarian agencies, reaching 90,000 aid workers globally. The EISF Secretariat and Steering Group also engage and collaborate with a wide range of actors, including institutional donors, researchers, UN agencies and NGO platforms, in order to promote and enhance risk management in humanitarian assistance. EISF achieves its goals in part by maximising available resources and cooperating closely with a wide range of actors.

EISF is supported by its membership and is funded by the Swiss and US governments. The Forum is not a registered organisation, but an independently-run entity, currently hosted by Save the Children UK.

For more information please visit www.eisf.eu.

Objectives:

  • To organise all aspects of the of the EISF member meeting in September 2011.
    This includes the finalisation of topics, presentations, work-shops, choice of venue, timely invitation of participants and budget management.
  • To ensure and approve the finalisation of three ongoing EISF projects, conducted by external supporters and consultants, resulting in three publications, including relevant distribution.
    This includes to provide feedback to the final draft, to support the peer-review process, to oversee the publishing and support the distribution of the papers.
  • To host a pre-arranged workshop on ‘Negotiation during Critical Incidents’ in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police in London.
    At the time of writing all aspects of the workshops are determined and will only require last minute follow-up, confirming participants and hosting the event.
  • To maintain donor relations, ensure reporting requirements are met and follow-up eventual donor requests.
  • To maintain consistent communication with EISF members, which includes continued information sharing and on-demand facilitation requests by members.
  • To support and coordinate the EISF Secretariat as necessary.
  • To ensure a comprehensive handover of EISF projects and other activities to the incoming EISF Coordinator.
  • To start the recruitment process of the EISF researcher when the second funding stream is secured (currently in the approval stage at an institutional donor with a very high likelihood to be approved).

Deliverables:

  • EISF meeting held at the end of September 2011 and arrangements for sharing minutes and findings within EISF are made.
  • Three publications finalised and distributed between July and September 2011.
  • Workshop on ‘Negotiation during Critical Incidents’ held and appropriate follow-up completed.
  • Donor reports submitted as required (approximately 2 short interim reports).
  • Regular verbal and written communication with EISF members, EISF Steering Group, institutional donors and Save the Children UK.
  • Briefing of the in-coming EISF Coordinator. This will require the documentation and communication of all ongoing and potential EISF projects and activities to the incoming EISF Coordinator

Resources available and Reporting:

  • To achieve the Outputs, the consultant will be able to draw on the rich and strong network of EISF, administrative assistance from the EISF Secretariat, Steering Group and Save the Children UK, and well-established working processes and systems within EISF.

For example the EISF meeting in September is a bi-annual event with an established format, venue and pre-identified range of topics giving the consultant clear direction, decision making points and benchmarks, while allowing flexibility and creative freedom.

  • The Consultant will report functionally to the Chair of the EISF Steering Group (currently held by the Corporate Security Adviser at Christian Aid), and administratively to the Head of Global Safety and Security at Save the Children UK.

Timeframe and Location:

  • The consultancy will start on 14 June 2011 and is anticipated to last until 29 September 2011, with max 50 working days anticipated between these dates.
  • It will be required to be present in average 2 days/week in the Save The Children office in London / Farringdon.

Experience required

The Consultant will be a competent professional with a approximately 5 years operational management experience in complex humanitarian environments with a good understanding of current challenges in humanitarian security and risk management.

In addition to this, the Consultant will have a track record of facilitating workshops/similar events, project management skills and producing quality analysis and/or policy documents.

Qualifications / skills

  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to deal with a range of complex issues ranging from humanitarian principles and their application in practice, security management strategies and their impact to be able to deliver aid in insecure environments.
  • Ability to provide leadership to EISF for a limited time period.
  • Excellent skills in workshop facilitation and managing the development of guidelines / policies.
  • Excellent communication skills in English to engage with a wide and broad network, with proven writing and editing skills.
  • Knowledge of a second language, in particular French, is an asset.

Competencies

  • Professionalism: In-depth knowledge of humanitarian issues and substantial professional experience within the sector; proven conceptual and analytical skills that lead to the formulation of policies, programmes, strategies and recommendations.
  • Communication: ability to draft and write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally; strong inter-personal skills demonstrated by the ability to gain the assistance and cooperation of others for collaborative efforts
  • Accountability: Reliability and commitment to timely delivery of high quality outputs

How to apply:

To submit an application for this consultancy, please register your interest before 31 May 2011 at eisf-admin@eisf.eu

Please ensure that you submit full tendering information, including:

  • Covering letter of not more than two pages
  • Your CV
  • 2 references
  • Anticipated fees, per diems and other financial information
  • Availability to fulfil the consultancy as per the timeframes indicated in the Terms of Reference