Local expert for drafting a country specific analysis on anti-corruption policy trends and measures to prevent and suppress corruption.
Alert
Vacancy
Background:
In spite of improvements according to various national and international reports, corruption remains a critical issue in Albania. The fight against corruption is one of the five key priority issues that the country has to address to move forward in the EU integration process. Whereas there is sustained progress in terms of the drafting of policy and legislative framework, and some tangible improvements of institutional recognition to refer and investigate corruption cases, as well as increased public awareness to denounce it, corruption remains a major obstacle to democratic and economic development in Albania. Therefore, there is a need for more efforts and stronger support by the government and all actors involved, to fully implement the on-going anti-corruption measures, enforce anti-corruption legislation and enhance the accountability of public officials when exercising their duties. The co-operation and contribution of all stakeholders, such as the business community and civil society organizations is also an essential part of the wider action. The Presence supported lately the drafting, implementation and monitoring of National Strategy against Corruption 2015 -2020 and its related Action Plan 2015 – 2017, as well as provided support to the National Coordinator against Corruption and its network of anti-corruption focal points to improve their capacities in policy design and coordination. The Presence in co-operation with the Albanian School of Public Administration (ASPA), also conducted several training sessions to public officials on anti-corruption and good governance at the central and local level, piloting a curriculum which was designed through participatory approach from relevant institutions. However, there is a continuous need for more information on how to prevent corruption by use of instruments that strengthen the integrity of public officials and increase transparency in their operations. The Presence will continue its efforts in improving the anti-corruption prevention framework, with a focus on capacity building activities and drafting of instruments that address concepts such as ethics, integrity, and accountability in the public sector.
Objective:
The OSCE Presence in Albania requires the services of an Albanian qualified expert to draft a country specific analysis on anti-corruption policy trends and measures in Albania including a comparative analysis with other international best practices; pinpoint the main concerns/gaps in their applicability as per the current Albanian institutional and legislative framework; elaborate recommendations that could improve the overall anti-corruption prevention framework in the country. The developed analysis will be an additional source of information for related interlocutors in public administration to support their coordination work in revising the anti-corruption action plan 2018-2020. The analysis will be used also as a background material in a follow up training activity.
The OSCE “Handbook on Combating Corruption” (2016) developed by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) with the support of other international partners provides Governments with a guidance on available legal tools, the latest legislative and policy trends, and pertinent measures and practices to prevent and suppress corruption in all OSCE member states. This publication covering a wide range of thematic areas with over 200 case studies and best practice examples, will be used by the local expert to be hired upon this call as an international reference guide for possible comparison with the local context and pinpoint the main concerns/gaps of their applicability as per the current Albanian institutional and legislative framework. Concrete case studies from the local context are encouraged. The local expert is expected to elaborate recommendations that could improve the overall anti-corruption prevention framework in the country. The developed analysis will be an additional source of information for related counterparts among public administration to further support their coordination work in revising the anti-corruption action plan 2018-2020. The analysis will be used also as a reference guide in follow up training activities.
The handbook is produced by the OSCE in collaboration with UNODC, OECD and GRECO and other partners. The document is accessible at http://www.osce.org/secretariat/232761.
Duration of the assignment: 25 October – 30 November 2017
Tasks and responsibilities:
Task 1: Desk research including review of the OSCE “Handbook on Combating Corruption” (2016) developed by the OCEEA, and ASPA’s current curricula on anti-corruption and good governance for the purpose of identifying the relevant topics and areas to be further elaborated in the country specific analysis in agreement with the GEEID program manager.
Task 2: Prepare and finalize the inception report, including the methodological approach and the final material outline.
Task 3: Collect concrete case studies addressing anti-corruption efforts in Albania (both successful and unsuccessful cases) to better illustrate the level of implementation of the anti-corruption measures in the country.
Task 4: Draft the country specific analysis on anti-corruption policy trends, available legal tools and measures to prevent and suppress corruption in Albania, including comparisons with best international practices, and provide recommendations for better policy design.
Task 5: Revise and submit the final version of the country specific analysis paper to the GEEID programme manager, upon addressing all comments received by GEEID.
Task 6: Deliver main findings, case studies and recommendations of the drafted analysis during capacity building events with anti-corruption practitioners that will be organized by the Presence (maximum six events and date to be confirmed).
Expected Output/Deliverables:
1. Deliver the inception report including the methodological approach and draft outline of the country specific analysis on anti-corruption as per specifications provided above, under Task 1 and 2 - deadline 30 October 2017.
2. Deliver the draft country specific analysis on anti-corruption policy trends and measures to prevent and suppress corruption (including case studies) as per specifications provided above, under Task 3 and 4 - deadline 15 November 2017.
3. Deliver the final revised version of the country specific analysis on anti-corruption policy trends and measures to prevent and suppress corruption as per specifications provided above, under Task 5 - deadline 20 November 2017.
4. Deliver a PowerPoint presentation (in agreement with GEEID programme manager) on key findings and recommendations of the analysis - deadline 30 November 2016.
5. Upon request of the OSCE PiA GEEID participation at maximum six workshop events as speaker organized to disseminate the result of this assignment before the end of the year.
Necessary Qualifications:
1. Advanced degree in Political Science, Law, International Relations, Social Sciences, or equivalent;
2. At least 4 years of working experience on issues of good governance, rule of law, public administration, or development studies;
3. Previous experience in research on anti-corruption policy trends at the national and regional context;
4. Competence in developing country assessments, analyses, drafting reports and/or training programs for relevant public institutions and/or international organizations;
5. Good knowledge on OSCE and other international organizations’ work on anti-corruption and good governance;
6. Excellent written and oral language skills in both English and Albanian;
7. Excellent computer skills;
8. Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills;
9. Ability to work with minimal supervision and under pressure;
10. Must be an Albanian citizen.
Payment modalities:
Fee: EUR 3,000, based on an estimate of 20 working days at the rate of EUR 150 per working day, with required product being delivered over the course of 1 and ½ month period.
This sum is consistent with the fee paid for a similar assignment.
All applications are due by 15 October 2017.
If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's on line application link found under link https://jobs.osce.org/ together with a brief (maximum 1 A4 page) methodological proposal and work plan for performing the assignment.
Note: Gender and geographic balance criteria will be applied in the selection process. Candidates from smaller communities outside of regional centres and capitals are encouraged to apply; The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer a contract with modified Terms of Reference or for a different duration. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the organization. Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.