for capturing the correct candidates with the level of experience
needed to build out a proper border management strategic document and implementation plan. By having an assessor onsite
prior to the initial cut, they can help scout vetted participants
for the proper knowledge/background in order to utilize the
country’s full potential and get the best possible deliverables out
of the program.
To assist this process, it is important that the trainers return to
the target country and confirm the institutional framework for
strategic ownership and oversight is in place, and if there are any
shortfalls in capacity building that requires further assistance by
the original donor or international community.
Step 5: Delivering the Program
Poor border management contributes to the increasing global
risks from terrorism, organized crime, and illegal migration.
Recent evidence suggests that these three are inextricably linked
and they continue to evolve and adapt. Failure to improve
national border security often has a negative impact within a
region; increasing insecurity and instability, raising political
tensions, and restricting economic prosperity.
Each step is an iterative process, building upon each other. If the
steps are completed in sequence, such as the trainers having prepared and translated (if necessary) the core program materials,
participants are properly vetted, the onsite logistic support coo rdinated, and interpreters briefed by the assessor, the delivery
of the program should go smoothly. The program will normally
be a mix of theory presentations, case studies, group exercises,
discussions, and the final drafting of the core deliverables. The
program follows a specific methodology for strategic planning
of border management. It is important to note that when identifying the methodology, the trainers should be applying the best
international practices to incorporate key elements suitable
to the target country’s operational threat environment, and to
improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their border controls.
By the end of the program, the participants should walk away
with a new knowledge base in strategic planning, hard copies
of all materials to share with their agencies, contact lists of all
the participants so that they can keep working together after
the program, and the final deliverables of their national border
management strategy and implementation plan outlining the
activities needed to move their strategy along.
Step 6: Monitoring and Evaluation
The monitoring and evaluation (M&E) element is a critical
component to the success of the program. The purpose of
M&E is to monitor the progress of the program and to identify
if the objectives that were outlined in their strategy are being
met. This can be achieved through the introduction of key
performance indicators (KPIs) embedded in the process that
measures the effectiveness of the strategy and any newly introduced capacity building support. KPIs will establish baseline
measurements at the conception of the program and then be
reviewed at specific intervals over the lifespan of the strategy to
establish if positive progress is being achieved and the strategic
objectives are on track. Examples of KPIs could be the number
of arrests made at the border for terrorist offenses, the waiting
times at busy land border crossings for heavy goods vehicles,
the number of border officers trained in identifying false travel
documents, or the introduction of a new border information
management system.
Conclusion
With today’s threat level, donor countries are in a unique position to deliver comprehensive and dynamic programs on border
management strategic planning. A program with this level of
impact and potential contribution to target countries needs to
be charted properly. By incorporating the key elements of strategy, implementation plan, and monitoring and evaluation and
following these best practice steps for developing and delivering
a program, you are positioning your program to succeed.
Rachel Bare – New Century US Program Manager for the Global Security
Contingency Fund (GSCF) Regional
Border Security Program (RBSP) –
Countering Boko Haram (CBH).
Rachel has spent most of her professional career supporting the U.S.
Intelligence Community. She holds a strong background in
defense and intelligence with an emphasis on counter-terrorism strategies.
Notes:
New Century US is a leading global provider of police and
military intelligence capacity building services. Currently,
NCUS works for the U.S. government to train and mentor foreign security forces that are supporting U.S. military and foreign
policy objectives.
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The Global Security Contingency Fund (GSCF) – Border
Security Strategy Development (BSSD) is a pilot program that
permits the Department of State (DoS) and Department of Defense (DoD) to pool money and expertise to address emergent
challenges and opportunities to a partner countries’ security
and justice sectors. This particular appropriation was designated to Nigeria, and neighboring countries (Niger, Cameroon,
and Chad) to counter Boko Haram. For more information on
GSCF, please visit http://www.state.gov/t/pm/sa/gscf/
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