Short-Term Consultancy, based in East Africa (Nairobi or Addis Ababa preferred)

Support to the Pilot Approach for Conflict Sensitivity Client Support in FCS

Geo-Enabling team for Monitoring and Supervision (GEMS) – GEMS & IFC FCS Africa

- Advanced GIS skills and experience in digital M&E required -

FCV

FCV contexts, private sector challenges, and the GEMS – FCS Africa pilot initiative

GEMS

Fragility, conflict, and violence (FCV) is a central development challenge. Global extreme poverty is increasingly concentrated in fragile and conflict-affected settings, and the global FCV landscape has deteriorated in recent years, with rising levels of conflict, violence and forced displacement. Addressing FCV is therefore critical to making progress towards the World Bank Group’s (WBG) Twin Goals of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity.

To accountably implement development interventions and business operations in FCV contexts, we need to ‘get eyes on the ground where we cannot always have feet on the ground.’ The Geo-Enabling methodology for Monitoring and Supervision (GEMS) has been developed in response to this demand, with the aim to provide project teams, client agencies, and partner organizations with timely access to invaluable field information from areas that cannot securely accommodate regular visits.

The GEMS method enables project teams to use simple and low-cost open-source tools for in-field collection of structured digital data that automatically feeds into centralized digital Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems. The integrated data can include any kind of indicator based on customizable digital survey questionnaires; photos, audio, videos, file attachments, and digital signatures; time and date stamps; and GPS coordinates that allow for automated geo-mapping of the information. Using these tools and visualizing real-time results on dashboards enhances the transparency and accuracy of operations and their results, strengthening accountability and efficiency. Moreover, the GEMS method provides WBG stakeholders with platforms for remote supervision, real-time risk and safeguards monitoring, as well as portfolio mapping for coordination across partners.

IFC FCS Africa

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), as the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, has made supporting Fragile and Conflict Affected Situations (FCS) a core strategic priority. Private sector clients operating in FCS can face operational barriers that can prevent them from accessing key markets and information due to conflict, natural disasters and other crises. Domestic private sector businesses often have a good understanding of the context and a higher risk appetite for doing business in complex settings. However, they may lack capacity in areas such as conflict sensitivity and ESG, as well as access to technology solutions that could help them with due diligence, monitoring, strategy and implementation in these areas. This includes access to data on forced displacement and how FDP areas may intersect with their business footprints.

A key mandate of the IFC’s FCS Africa team is to catalyze private investment and support private sector development in Africa’s most challenging markets, by helping to deliver corporate commitments to conflict sensitivity. This includes piloting tools and approaches to support clients with operational solutions for conflict sensitivity, such as risk management and identifying opportunities to maximize positive impact.

Pilot background

Pilot approach for private sector operations and forced displacement projects

In response to the operational challenges in FCS settings, IFC’s FCS Africa and the World Bank’s GEMS (Geo-Enabling initiative for Monitoring and Supervision) initiative is launching a project to pilot support for IFC projects in select FCS countries in East and West Africa.

The pilot leverages open-source technologies and expertise from the GEMS team. The effort will lend direct technical support to select investment projects to empower client-operated solutions that can incorporate plug-in data sets, satellite imagery, and potential inputs relevant to the business and project operations, enabling a conflict sensitive approach to business and project delivery. This will include enabling primary data collection by client and project counterparts by capacity building on the use of digital tools.

Scope

Objective and scope of work: leveraging ICT to enhance conflict sensitivity in IFC operations

The World Bank is therefore looking to hire a short-term consultant (STC) to support the GEMS-FCS Africa pilot program. The objective of the geospatial data analyst consultancy is to provide technical support to the World Bank’s forced displacement projects and private sector clients as the clients and partners strengthen and systematize the collection, use, management, and visualization of data across their operations to enhance safeguards compliance, risk management and adaptation, as well as business and project outcomes and efficiency. The selected consultant will be responsible for delivering a pilot program built around four interconnected pillars:

• Support to IFC pilot projects

  The consultant will deliver GEMS capacity-building trainings and provide ongoing hands-on technical support for pilot clients, project teams, IFC project teams, relevant government agencies, Environmental and Social staff, and partners. This will involve building client capacity to use simple, open-source ICT tools for digital data collection, analysis, and visualization; curating FCV-related geospatial insights (e.g., conflict sensitivity, forced displacement) to complement primary operational data; and combining these results with data visualization outputs (i.e., dashboards, maps, etc.) to improve business and project processes in line with E&S standards and development objectives. The end goal is to establish a client-operated digital monitoring system, fully owned and maintained by clients and partners after the pilot, supported by tailored technical assistance, regular follow-up engagements, and comprehensive reference materials.

• Exploring scale-up opportunities

  The consultant will work with the GEMS and IFC FCS teams to consolidate lessons learned to inform potential replication and scalability of the GEMS method and system in IFC operations, particularly in FCS. This will include assessing cost-effective options for digital innovation and leveraging the Training-of-Trainers (ToT) model to facilitate replication at scale.

• The consultant will also lead activities that underpin sustainability and replication of the pilot. This includes robust knowledge management through documenting tools, training resources, engagement strategies, and lessons learned; maintaining a regular feedback loop with IFC FCS, GEMS, project teams, clients, and stakeholders; and promoting the ToT model to ensure long-term ownership and operational autonomy. The consultant will provide periodic progress reports highlighting implementation status, emerging insights, and scale-up readiness. In collaboration with clients and IFC teams, the consultant will assess strengths and gaps, exchange experiences, and co-develop a scale-up strategy for systematic integration of the GEMS method into IFC operations. The pilot will conclude with the formal transfer of knowledge, systems, and platforms to clients and project teams for sustained autonomous use thereafter.

Duties and responsibilities

Workstreams and deliverables

The consultant will provide tailored geospatial/data analysis, remote supervision, implementation and operations monitoring, M&E, and capacity-building support for the IFC FCS Africa and GEMS pilot for conflict sensitivity.

The primary tasks will be to carry out the effective adoption and roll-out of the GEMS monitoring systems and tools for the select clients and projects, develop dashboards, geospatial tracking systems, and analytical visualization products that combine primary operational data with existing secondary data as they relate to conflict, forced displacement, and risks.

Deliverables span across four interconnected pillars: 1) Diagnostic & Data Preparation—assessing client needs, validating internal datasets, and curating relevant external data (e.g., conflict, displacement, demographics, infrastructure, etc.) for integration; 2) Tools & Platform Development—designing/adapting data collection tools, customizing digital and geospatial platforms, and producing analytical outputs such as dashboards and maps; 3) Capacity Building & Stakeholder Engagement—delivering tailored trainings, ToT programs, and collaborative workshops to enable and enhance data-driven decision-making; and 4) Strategic Advisory & Knowledge Outputs—providing ongoing technical support, producing strategic analyses and learning materials, and developing scale-up and sustainability options to ensure long-term client ownership and use of tools. Below responsibilities, though not exhaustive, provide examples workstreams:

Lead the implementation of GEMS method and tools for the IFC projects and clients. This includes supporting remote supervision, real-time risk and safeguards monitoring, and mapping business operations. This will facilitate the tracking of outputs and outcomes, monitor progress, and strengthen environmental and social risk management as well as conflict sensitivity in business decisions.

Deliver GEMS capacity building trainings to the clients, World Bank and IFC task teams, and select partners. This includes providing follow-up guidance and support to ensure that the system is leveraged effectively and sustainably.

Provide GIS and cartography support to clients, project teams, World Bank counterparts, and select partners.

Design, develop, operate, maintain, and administer digital dashboards for customized use via a combination of tools such as KoBoToolbox, Power BI, Arc/Q-GIS, and other potentially complementary technologies, and in close coordination with the GEMS and IFC FCS teams.

Ensure proper data collection and management, including by ensuring that all data collection tools, software, and processes follow a robust and well-designed architecture and flow of data – from project/program onsite collection, through data storage, cleaning, validation, integration, and finally into the various dashboard screens, charts, and visuals. In addition, the STC will follow-up with client and project partners to ensure that data is regularly collected and shared from all project/program site locations on the correct pre-defined data collection schedules (e.g. initial site registration, quarterly site reporting, ad-hoc site visit records, etc.). Finally, the STC will manage the process of cleaning and validating data after collection, and before integrating the results into customized dashboards, maps, and other analytical visualization products.

Selection criteria

Qualifications and experience

The ideal candidate will have primary expertise in GIS, digital M&E, and ICT with relevant international development experience, as well as complimentary technical skillsets (e.g., geospatial analysis, dashboard creation, data visualization, etc.). S/he will be familiar with ways in which technology can be applied to monitor projects and other variable dynamics on the ground, and will meet the following selection criteria:

1. Master’s degree in geography, computer science, environmental science, engineering, or related field. In any case, specific experience in using geospatial tools and ICT to boost development effectiveness will be crucial.

2. At least 5 years of experience in workstreams related to GIS, M&E, ICT, geospatial analysis, with demonstrated ability to apply technologies to solve challenges related to development/humanitarian interventions.

3. Advanced GIS skills and proven experience with geospatial data and analysis (through ArcMap, QGIS, R, and/or Python) and ability to manage databases and suites of large datasets.

4. Advanced skills in producing data visualization products (i.e., dashboards) through platforms such as PowerBI, Tableau, etc. Integration of geospatial elements into said platforms required.

5. Knowledge of M&E systems, especially as they apply to fragile contexts, demonstrated through field experience.

6. Demonstrated initiative, leadership skills, innovation and drive for results including ability to undertake a diversity of tasks within a rapidly changing and demanding environment on short deadlines.

7. Background and proven experience working in fragile contexts are a plus.

8. Stellar communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with an ability to adapt to a variety of audience that is operational, but not necessarily knowledgeable of ICT issues.

9. Fluency in English required, French or Amharic a plus. enabling the consultant to conduct interactive technical trainings with clients, produce high-quality written outputs, and communicate results effectively across internal and external stakeholders.

10. Readiness for travel across the Horn of Africa, Sahel, and other regions of Africa**, including to conflict-affected areas**.

11. Knowledge of World Bank operational policies and business practices is a plus.

12. Excellent workflow management skills and a proactive attitude, with proven ability to deliver high-quality results under tight timelines.

13. Strong client engagement skills, owning responsibility and accountability for timely response to client queries, requests or needs, working to resolve obstacles that may impede GEMS implementation success.

14. Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving abilities to work with a range of stakeholders to effectively negotiate and build consensus to achieve constructive outputs.

15. Admin/reporting arrangements

Administrative arrangements

The selected consultant will be contracted by the World Bank Group for a period of 100 days at a fee to be negotiated with the supervisor, subject to extension based on performance and budget availability. The consultant will report to the pilot’s task team leaders for IFC FCS Africa and World Bank’s GEMS team based in Nairobi and Barcelona, respectively. S/he will collaborate closely with both teams, as well as relevant stakeholders across the World Bank Group as needed.

How to apply

Please send your application to gems-team@worldbank.org by October 31, 5pm EAT, including a copy of your most up-to-date CV and cover letter in PDF formats. Relevant work examples (maps, links to dashboards, analytical outputs, etc.) are also encouraged.