Senior Consultant – Crisis Preparedness Gap Analysis (CPGA)

BACKGROUND

Crises threaten to roll back development gains and undermine efforts to end extreme poverty by 2030. The COVID-19 crisis has erased the equivalent of 255 million jobs in 2020 and is expected to push up to 150 million additional people in extreme poverty by the end of 2021. The global economic outlook continues to face significant downside risks, including the possibility of additional COVID-19 waves and financial stress amid high debt levels in many developing countries.

**During the IDA19 Replenishment, World Bank management committed to developing an approach to monitor countries’ progress toward crisis preparedness and tasked the Secretariat of the Global Crisis Risk Platform (GCRP) with leading this effort.**Over the past several months, the GCRP Secretariat has worked with technical teams across Practice Groups to design and test the Crisis Preparedness Gap Analysis (CPGA). The CPGA can play an important role in strengthening the World Bank’s understanding of key preparedness gaps across sectors in IDA countries, and eventually inform country and regional engagements.

The overall objective of the CPGA is to inform client dialogue by identifying gaps and opportunities to strengthen the capacity of IDA countries to prepare for and manage crises in an effective and timely manner. The framework therefore aims to: i) provide a high-level assessment of crisis preparedness across different types of shocks; ii) identify gaps and opportunities to improve crisis preparedness; and iii) inform policy dialogue and technical and financial support on crisis preparedness as part of country and regional programming. Starting FY23, the CPGA tool is being rolled out across IDA countries at the request of CMUs. Delivery of assessments will primarily be led by Country Management Units (CMUs) with the CPGA Secretariat serving a technical support function.

With crisis preparedness highlighted as a new cross-cutting issue in IDA20, the CPGA plays an important role in the crisis preparedness policy package. A standalone policy commitment sets the ambitious target of providing technical and financial support for crisis preparedness in all IDA countries. This support should be informed by the CPGA or other appropriate preparedness diagnostics. Beyond supporting achievement of the IDA20 policy commitment, the CPGA Secretariat plays a convening role in promoting the crisis preparedness agenda within and outside the World Bank, though a dedicated knowledge program.

In this context, the CGPA Secretariat is seeking an experienced consultant to play an integral role in the CPGA Secretariat as it advances the crisis preparedness agenda and coordinates the roll out of the CPGA across IDA countries. The Senior Consultant will have extensive experience in one or more sector-specific aspects of crisis preparedness (such as Social Protection, Disaster Risk Finance, Risk Monitoring, Public Heath or other) as well as broad cross-sectoral understanding of key country systems for preparedness.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of and in close collaboration with the TTL, the Senior Consultant will support the work of the CPGA Secretariat. Specific tasks will include:

Technical contributions to the CPGA methodology and approach

• Contribute to refining the CPGA methodology based on lessons learned from completed and ongoing country deliveries, including developing customized approaches for specific country contexts (such as FCS or SIDS).

Support in-country deliveries of CPGA

• Support the CPGA Secretariat in coordinating the pipeline of CPGA in-country deliveries, including:
  • Working with the TTL to identify CMUs where there might be demand for the CPGA and organizing briefings on the CPGA and the broader crisis preparedness policy package
  • Supporting the TTL in the overall management of the CPGA program
• Lead preparation and delivery of trainings and resource materials on the CPGA methodology
• Provide dedicated technical support to CPGA country teams as a core member of the CPGA Secretariat, including:
  • Participating in briefings to CMUs and Country Teams on the methodology and approach
  • Acting as technical advisor to country specific TTL and CPGA country team on all issues related to the methodology and its application
  • Providing guidance on methodological considerations needed to assign maturity levels as part of the CPGA process
  • Contribute to the delivery of CPGA prioritization workshops
  • Support dialogue with government clients and development partners as needed.

Knowledge management

• Support development and implementation of the CPGA Secretariat knowledge program, including:
  • Drafting knowledge products, including blogs or knowledge notes on select topics
  • Contribute to the delivery of events (virtual and in-person) related to the CPGA or the broader crisis preparedness agenda
  • Outreach to partners and other relevant stakeholders

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience working in international development or related field (or equivalent combination of work experience and education).
• Advanced degree in Economics, Risk Management, International Development or related field.
• Expertise in one or more of the following fields: disaster preparedness, food crisis preparedness, pandemic preparedness, financial preparedness, risk information and early warning systems. Experience working with the WB in one of the abovementioned fields is preferred.
• Extensive regional or country-level experience in delivering crisis preparedness engagements in IDA contexts. Experience in FCV settings preferred.
• Understanding of World Bank operations and instruments desired.
• Candidates who bring direct personal and professional experience and background from diverse FCV or forced displacement affected backgrounds preferred
• Superior writing and communications skills in English. Ability to effectively summarize complex concepts in clear and concise briefing materials
• Proven program management and organizational skills
• Ability to multi-task, stay on top of rapidly evolving work program

How to apply

Please send your CV and a short motivation statement to Bianca Adam [email protected] by COB October 14, 2022.