Request for Proposal: Terms of Reference for Senior Security Advisor (SSA) in Somalia

1. A propos de l'AECF

L'AECF, LLC (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) est une organisation de développement à but non lucratif qui soutient des entreprises innovantes dans les secteurs de l'agroalimentaire et des énergies renouvelables dans le but de réduire la pauvreté rurale, de promouvoir des communautés résilientes au changement climatique et de créer des emplois.

Nous catalysons le secteur privé en faisant émerger et en commercialisant de nouvelles idées, de nouveaux modèles d'entreprise et de nouvelles technologies conçus pour accroître la productivité agricole, améliorer les revenus des agriculteurs, élargir l'accès à l'énergie propre, réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre et améliorer la résilience aux effets du changement climatique. Nous finançons des entreprises à haut risque qui ont du mal à accéder aux financements commerciaux ; nous nous engageons à travailler dans des marchés frontières, des contextes fragiles et des économies à haut risque où peu d'institutions financières traditionnelles osent aller.

À ce jour, nous avons soutenu plus de 510 entreprises dans 26 pays d'Afrique subsaharienne, influencé plus de 33 millions de vies et créé plus de 35 000 emplois directs. L'AECF a son siège au Kenya et des bureaux en Côte d'Ivoire, en Tanzanie, au Nigeria, au Sud-Soudan, au Bénin et en Somalie.

2. À propos du programme FIG

Financé par l'Union européenne, le FIG est une composante du programme de développement local et économique inclusif (ILED), dont l'objectif est de revitaliser et de développer l'économie locale en mettant l'accent sur l'amélioration des moyens de subsistance, la création d'emplois et une croissance inclusive à grande échelle pour les femmes, les jeunes et les producteurs somaliens :

• Designing and offering appropriate and sustainable financial products and services to clients through its partner Financial Institutions (FI) and ensuring targeted clients are growing and becoming more bankable.
• Catalyser une augmentation durable des prêts aux acteurs économiques en Somalie, en particulier les jeunes, les femmes et les producteurs.
• Renforcer la capacité des institutions financières partenaires à fournir de plus en plus de services financiers appropriés à un plus grand nombre de clients vivant dans les centres urbains et les zones rurales et décentralisées de la Somalie.
• Renforcer la capacité des clients finaux ciblés à utiliser de manière rentable le financement pour la croissance de leur entreprise.

3. About the Role

The Senior Security Advisor (SSA) is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the national staff, setting up and continuously implementing safety and security protocols to ensure a high level of safety and well-being for the AECF Somalia team. The SSA will maintain a high level of contextual awareness of the security situation in Somalia and coordinate closely with the Programme team at the field level and the HO risk team. The SSA will promote a strong safety and security culture through continuous training for all field-based staff and collaborative security assessments.

The SSA will report directly to the FIG Programme Manager.

4. Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities

a) Security Risk Management and Analysis

• Conduct regular country-level and field-specific security and risk assessments to identify safety and security needs and risks.
• Monitor the evolving security landscape, including threats, incidents, and developments that may negatively affect staff or operations.
• Analyze relevant data, intelligence reports, and field-level information to identify emerging trends, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Assess security risks and considerations for staff traveling to various programme sites within Somalia.

b) Security Communication and Advisory

• Provide timely, accurate, and context-specific security updates to national staff via multiple channels (e.g., WhatsApp, text messages, emails, in-person briefings).
• Maintain an active communication and feedback loop with national staff to address concerns, gather field intelligence, and meet information needs.
• Ensure that all updates include clear guidance on relevant security protocols, travel restrictions, and emergency procedures.
• Provide pre-travel country security briefings and context updates to headquarters (HO) staff or external personnel visiting Somalia.
• Offer pre-departure and on-site security briefings to field staff prior to site visits, including recommended safety protocols and emergency response procedures.

c) Operational Security Support

• Coordinate with local authorities and vetted security providers to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for staff movement and site visits.
• Accompany staff on field visits, if necessary, to provide direct security oversight and support.
• Track staff movement and conduct regular check-ins, ensuring that all field visits are documented and monitored.
• Liaise with the hosting agency’s security team to ensure that security standards are upheld and reflected in all office and property procedures.

d) Liaison and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain productive relationships with local authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, community leaders, and other actors to gain timely security information and ensure access.
• Participate in inter-agency and sectoral security coordination meetings where appropriate.
• Maintain up-to-date security contact lists for all relevant stakeholders and support staff in accessing them when needed.

e) Training and Capacity Building

• Provide regular security awareness and preparedness training to all staff.
• Support capacity building of in-country security focal points and other staff as needed.
• Facilitate drills or simulations related to emergency preparedness (e.g., evacuation, hibernation, relocation).

f) Reporting and Compliance

• Provide timely incident reports and post-incident assessments.
• Update the Security Risk Management Plans (SRMP), standard operating procedures (SOPs), and crisis management protocols.
• Ensure compliance with internal security policies as well as donor and host country requirements.

5. Produits à livrer

a) Monthly Security Risk Reports

• Comprehensive updates on the national and field-level security situation, including threat assessments, incident trends, and mitigation recommendations.
• Security Risk Assessments and SRMPs
• Updated Security Risk Management Plans (SRMPs) and area-specific risk assessments for all operational regions, including movement protocols and risk mitigation measures.

b) Weekly Field Security Updates

• Timely, accessible security advisories for national and field staff, distributed via appropriate communication channels (WhatsApp, SMS, email, in-person briefings).

c) Head Office Visitor Briefing Packages

• Security briefing documents and pre-travel advisories for visiting headquarters or external personnel, tailored to the Somalia context.

d) Pre-Travel Briefings and Site Visit Support

• Written or verbal security briefings for staff traveling to field sites, including risk assessments, safety protocols, and check-in/check-out procedures.

e) Training Sessions and Drill Reports

• At least two staff training sessions on personal security, emergency response, and field safety protocols, with participant attendance records and training materials.
• Reports from any scenario-based drills (e.g., evacuation or hibernation exercises) conducted during the contract period.

f) Incident and Post-Incident Reports

• Timely documentation and analysis of security incidents involving staff or operations, including response actions and lessons learned.

g) Stakeholder Contact List and Coordination Log

• Up-to-date contact list of relevant security actors, local authorities, and support networks, with a coordination log outlining engagements.

h) Staff Movement Logs and Field Visit Reports

• Consolidated records of staff movement tracking, check-ins, and summaries of accompanied site visits, where applicable.

i) Office Security Review and Recommendations

• Assessment report of the security arrangements at offices and facilities, including recommendations for improvements in collaboration with the hosting agency.

6. Required Qualifications and Experience

a) Essential

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in security risk management, preferably in conflict-affected and fragile environments.
• Prior experience working in Somalia or similar high-risk contexts.
• Strong understanding of local dynamics and geopolitical context in Somalia.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing security frameworks and protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Background educational training in Security Studies or a related field.

b) Desirable

• Prior work experience with international NGOs, UN agencies, or diplomatic missions.
• Excellent relations with law enforcement agencies in Somalia, UN and INGO security teams.
• Familiarity with donor-funded organizations access, acceptance strategies, and community engagement.
• Crisis management training or certifications (e.g., HEAT, Hostile Environment Awareness Training).

c) Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical and risk assessment skills.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to build trust and influence diverse stakeholders.
• Proficient in security technology and communication systems.
• Fluent in English; Somali language skills being mandatory.
• Experience in managing incidents, incident mapping, and developing and producing high-quality security reports and assessments.

7. Duration

The assignment is expected to be completed in December 2025 from the commencement date.

8. Rapports

The consultancy firm will report to AECF, the FIG programme manager.

9. Tarification

L'AECF est tenue par les autorités fiscales kenyanes de retenir les taxes sur les honoraires des contrats de service et de veiller à ce que la TVA soit facturée le cas échéant. Il est conseillé aux candidats de s'assurer qu'ils comprennent bien leur situation fiscale au regard des dispositions de la législation fiscale kenyane lorsqu'ils élaborent leurs propositions.

10. Soumission de la proposition

Interested firms are invited to submit:

Une proposition technique, 10 pages maximum (hors annexes)

• Une compréhension des exigences en matière de consultance.
• Méthodologie et plan de travail pour l'exécution de la mission, étayés par une démonstration du rapport qualité-prix.
• Liste de références détaillée indiquant la portée et l'ampleur de missions similaires.
• Relevant services undertaken in the last five (5) years.
• Registration and other relevant statutory documents
• Detailed Resumé
• All documents related to the technical proposal must be compiled into a single PDF file, organized with a clear Table of Contents

A financial proposal

• Clearly showing the proposed days and the proposed professional fee (daily rate and total amount per month/day). The financial proposal shall also include an indication of reimbursables (travel, communication etc.). Currency to be in USD.

N/B: TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL PROPOSALS BE SUBMITTED SEPARATELY. COMBINING THE FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL DOCUMENT AS ONE DOCUMENT WILL AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFY THE APPLICANT.

11. Critères d'évaluation

MANDATORY EVALUATION CRITERIA

Mandatory Requirements for independent consultants: –

1. Passport/National Identification & CVs of the lead consultant and key personnel (Applicable to independent consultants)
2. Must be a Somali National.
3. Technical proposal as a response to the TOR. All documents related to the technical proposal must be compiled into a single PDF file, organized with a clear Table of Contents & paginated in sequential order.
4. Financial proposal as a response to the TOR.
5. Past similar experience with reference letters.

Mandatory Requirements for companies: –

1. Profil de l'entreprise.
2. Trading license, Certificate of incorporation, Certificate of Registration, and other statutory documents.
3. Must be registered in Somalia as a Security service provider company and must have been in operation for the last 5 years.
4. Certificat de conformité fiscale valide (applicable aux entreprises).
5. Technical proposal as a response to the TOR. All documents related to the technical proposal must be compiled into a single PDF file, organized with a clear Table of Contents & paginated in sequential order.
6. Financial proposal as a response to the TOR.
7. CVs of the team members.
8. Past similar experience with reference letters.

N/B : LE FAIT DE NE PAS JOINDRE ET DE NE PAS RESPECTER LES EXIGENCES CI-DESSUS ENTRAÎNERA UNE DISQUALIFICATION AUTOMATIQUE.

Un comité d'évaluation sera constitué par l'AECF et pourra inclure des employés des entreprises à soutenir. Tous les membres seront soumis aux mêmes normes de confidentialité. Le consultant doit s'assurer qu'il répond pleinement à tous les critères afin d'être évalué de manière exhaustive.

L'AECF peut demander et recevoir des éclaircissements de la part de tout consultant lors de l'évaluation d'une proposition. Le comité d'évaluation peut inviter certains ou tous les consultants à se présenter devant le comité pour clarifier leurs propositions. Dans ce cas, le comité d'évaluation peut tenir compte de ces éclaircissements lors de l'évaluation des propositions.

Lors de la sélection finale du soumissionnaire qualifié, la qualité technique de la proposition sera pondérée à hauteur de 70 % sur la base des critères d'évaluation. Seule la proposition financière des soumissionnaires qualifiés sur le plan technique sera ouverte. La proposition financière sera pondérée à hauteur de 30 % et les propositions seront classées en fonction du nombre total de points obtenus.

Les critères obligatoires et souhaitables sur la base desquels les propositions seront évaluées sont indiqués dans le tableau ci-dessous.

12. Application

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The AECF considers all interested candidates based on merit without regard to race, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

• Interested firms & Independent consultants are requested to submit their technical and financial proposal to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org by 1^st July 2025, 5 pm EAT
• All questions or clarifications should be directed to the procurement email by 23^rd June 2025, 5pm EAT.
• The subject of the email should be ‘’TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR SENIOR SECURITY ADVISOR (SSA) IN SOMALIA”. The AECF shall not be liable for not opening proposals that are submitted with a different subject or responding to questions that did not meet the deadline as indicated.

13. Clause de non-responsabilité

L'AECF se réserve le droit de déterminer la structure du processus, le nombre de participants présélectionnés, le droit de se retirer du processus de proposition, le droit de modifier ce calendrier à tout moment sans préavis et se réserve le droit de retirer cet appel d'offres à tout moment, sans préavis et sans obligation de dédommagement et/ou de remboursement à l'égard de toute partie.

Note : L'AECF ne demande pas de frais de candidature pour participer à la procédure d'appel d'offres et n'a pas désigné d'agents ou d'intermédiaires pour faciliter les candidatures. Il est conseillé aux candidats de contacter directement le département des achats de l'AECF.