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

1. Sobre a AECF

O AECF, LLC (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) é uma organização líder de desenvolvimento sem fins lucrativos que apoia empresas inovadoras nos sectores do agronegócio e das energias renováveis com o objetivo de reduzir a pobreza rural, promover comunidades resistentes ao clima e criar emprego.

Catalisamos o sector privado, fazendo emergir e comercializando novas ideias, modelos de negócio e tecnologias concebidos para aumentar a produtividade agrícola, melhorar os rendimentos dos agricultores, expandir o acesso a energia limpa, reduzir as emissões de gases com efeito de estufa e melhorar a resistência aos efeitos das alterações climáticas. Financiamos empresas de alto risco que têm dificuldade em aceder a financiamento comercial; estamos empenhados em trabalhar em mercados fronteiriços, contextos frágeis e economias de alto risco onde poucas instituições financeiras tradicionais se atrevem a ir.

Até à data, apoiámos mais de 510 empresas em 26 países da África Subsariana, tivemos um impacto em mais de 33 milhões de vidas e criámos mais de 35.000 empregos diretos. O AECF está sediado no Quénia e tem escritórios na Costa do Marfim, Tanzânia, Nigéria, Sudão do Sul, Benim e Somália.

2. Sobre o programa FIG

Financiado pela União Europeia, o FIG é uma componente do programa de Desenvolvimento Local e Económico Inclusivo (ILED), cujo objetivo é revitalizar e expandir a economia local, centrando-se na melhoria dos meios de subsistência, na criação de emprego e num crescimento inclusivo de base ampla para as mulheres, os jovens e os produtores somalis:

• 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.
• Catalisar um aumento sustentável dos empréstimos concedidos aos agentes económicos da Somália, em especial aos jovens, às mulheres e aos produtores.
• Reforçar a capacidade das instituições financeiras parceiras para prestarem cada vez mais serviços financeiros adequados a um maior número de clientes que vivem nos centros urbanos e nas zonas rurais e descentralizadas da Somália.
• Reforçar a capacidade dos clientes finais visados para utilizarem o financiamento de forma rentável para o crescimento das empresas.

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. Prestações de serviços

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. Relatórios

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

9. Preços

O AECF é obrigado pelas autoridades fiscais quenianas a reter os impostos sobre os honorários dos contratos de prestação de serviços, bem como a garantir a cobrança do IVA, se for caso disso. Recomenda-se aos candidatos que, ao elaborarem as suas propostas, se assegurem de que têm um conhecimento claro da sua situação fiscal no que respeita às disposições da legislação fiscal do Quénia.

10. Apresentação de propostas

Interested firms are invited to submit:

Uma proposta técnica, com um máximo de 10 páginas (excluindo os anexos)

• Compreensão dos requisitos de consultoria.
• Metodologia e plano de trabalho para a realização da missão, com base numa demonstração da relação custo-benefício
• Lista de referências pormenorizada que indique o âmbito e a dimensão de trabalhos semelhantes.
• 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. Critérios de avaliação

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. Perfil da empresa.
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. Certificado de conformidade fiscal válido (aplicável às empresas).
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: A NÃO ANEXAÇÃO E O NÃO CUMPRIMENTO DOS REQUISITOS ACIMA REFERIDOS IMPLICAM A DESQUALIFICAÇÃO AUTOMÁTICA

Um comité de avaliação será constituído pela AECF e poderá incluir trabalhadores das empresas a apoiar. Todos os membros estarão sujeitos às mesmas normas de confidencialidade. O consultor deve assegurar-se de que responde plenamente a todos os critérios para ser avaliado de forma exaustiva.

O AECF pode solicitar e receber esclarecimentos de qualquer consultor aquando da avaliação de uma proposta. O comité de avaliação pode convidar alguns ou todos os consultores a comparecer perante o comité para esclarecer as suas propostas. Nesse caso, o comité de avaliação pode ter em conta esses esclarecimentos na avaliação das propostas.

Para decidir a seleção final do proponente qualificado, a qualidade técnica da proposta terá uma ponderação de 70% com base nos critérios de avaliação. Só será aberta a proposta financeira dos proponentes que se qualificarem tecnicamente. A proposta financeira terá uma ponderação de 30% e as propostas serão classificadas em função do total de pontos obtidos.

Os critérios obrigatórios e desejáveis em função dos quais as propostas serão avaliadas são identificados no quadro seguinte.

12. Aplicação

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. Declaração de exoneração de responsabilidade

O AECF reserva-se o direito de determinar a estrutura do processo, o número de participantes na lista restrita, o direito de se retirar do processo de proposta, o direito de alterar este calendário a qualquer momento sem aviso prévio e reserva-se o direito de retirar o presente concurso a qualquer momento, sem aviso prévio e sem responsabilidade de indemnizar e/ou reembolsar qualquer parte.

Nota: A AECF não cobra qualquer taxa de candidatura para participar no processo de concurso e não nomeou agentes ou intermediários para facilitar as candidaturas. Recomenda-se aos candidatos que contactem diretamente o departamento de aquisições do AECF.