General Description
Definition
Security development plans should outline the specific changes (development/reform/transformation) required within the national security architecture in response to the needs of, threats to and vision and objectives for national security articulated in the national policy and/or strategy. Ideally, plans should also contain clear goals and indicators, to encourage measurement of impact and to contribute to public communications campaigns outlining the progress of specific reforms."
SSR Integrated Technical Guidance Notes UN 2012
National security sector development (or reform) plans go into the detail about the changes required within the security sector to meet the objectives set out in the higher level National Security Strategy, and the goals and vision set out in the National Security Policy. The plan sets out specific steps showing how the strategy will be implemented over time and how it will be budgeted as considered in the Defence Expenditure Review.
At the national security level, the plan should be cross-governmental and cross-sectoral. It should consider the application of human rights principles such as child protection and gender equality, as well the interaction with oversight bodies such as parliamentary committees and ombuds institutions.
Plans must:
- Have an aim
- Have sufficient resources
- Have a process for using the resources
- Be timely
- Be flexible
- Take into account the likelihood that external activities will affect the plan, at least in the detail
Even with all of these points taken into account, plans are likely to have to be altered and improvised as real events overtake the planners' idealised model of events.
Phases and Sub-Activities
Phase A – Assess National Strategic Context, Strategies, Policies and Priorities
Phase B - Build National Security and Justice Vision and Policy
- Launch National Dialogue Process
- Set Up Steering Committee Including Secretariat for Operational Support
- Organise National Dialogue Forum on Security, Justice Vision and Future Policy
- Formulate Preliminary Vision and Basic Elements to be Included in the Security and Justice Policy
- Draft Final National Security and Justice Policy
- Communicate Main Conclusions
Phase C - Build National Security and Justice Strategy
- Undertake Prior Assessment of Strategic Context
- Set Up Steering Committee (if different from National Security Policy Steering Committee)
- Conduct Further National Dialogue on the Means to Meet the Vision and Objectives Outlined in the NSP
- Establish a National Security Forum Composed of Representatives from Government and Academia to Exchange Ideas on Strategy Development
- Decide On Key Priorities, Lead Actors, Coordination Mechanisms, and Human and Financial Resource Needs
- Draft the National Security Strategy