Details

Background

Transparency International (TI) is the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption. Through more than 90 chapters worldwide and an international secretariat in Berlin, Germany, TI raises awareness of the damaging effects of corruption and works with partners in government, business and civil society to develop and implement effective measures to tackle it.

Transparency International (TI) is inviting expressions of interest from highly motivated international experts on anti-corruption.  The expert would be expected to develop a research tool to comparatively assess performance of Anti-Corruption Commissions in the Asia Pacific Region for the Asia Pacific Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) Index project. The resulting research tool will be piloted by independent researchers/CSOs in a number of Asia-Pacific countries later in 2013. 

Overall coordination of the programme lies with the TI Secretariat (TIS) in Berlin, Germany. 

The expected level of effort is estimated at 18 days over 2 month period (Late April to end of June 2013).

Objectives

One of TI’s strategic priorities is to strengthen institutions and promote public sector integrity. Furthermore the development of diagnostic tools to measure integrity and serve as the basis for advocacy is a key element of TI’s work. The proposed ACA Index project of TIS is designed to be a catalyst intervention in order to create an informed discussion among ACAs, governments, anti-corruption stakeholders and the public about how they want to improve the performance of national anti-corruption agencies. Overall, the projects intends to:

• develop an index to comparatively assess the performance of anti-corruption commissions in the Asia Pacific region,
• make the index available widely to the public and anti-corruption actors in the Asia Pacific Region triggering debates on the subject,
• advocate with ACAs and governments for positive changes in ACA performance,
• create a space for ACAs to have a dialogue with government and the public to make ACAs conduct highly accountable to their stakeholders.

The work under this consultancy forms a core part of this project. It will generate the principal assessment tool to assess the anti-corruption commissions where advocacy work will be based.  

The resulting research tool will be piloted by independent researchers/CSOs in a number of Asia-Pacific countries later in 2013.  In the long run, the tool is envisioned to be applied on a bi-annual basis to monitor, and ultimately improve, the performance of ACAs in the region.

Report structure and expected deliverables

The consultant will be contracted to develop the research tool for the assessment of Anti-Corruption Commissions in the Asia-Pacific region. During this process, the consultant will involve, consult and incorporate input from relevant stakeholders.  

The Product: An ACA Assessment Tool 

The assessment tool will provide

1. An assessment framework, operationalizing the relevant criteria of ACA performance via a set of measurable indicators which can be applied for ACAs across the Asia-Pacific region to yield a comparative assessment. For the development of the criteria and indicators, the consultant will draw on the relevant academic and policy literature on anti-corruption commissions and related institutions.
2. A research methodology, detailing how data for these indicators will be collected, analysed, and aggregated as well as how results will be validated and presented. A specific focus will be put on the requirement for the research methodology to yield results which are comparable across ACAs. In addition, the research methodology will need to take into account the limited resources and capacities available for its implementation at country level. The research methodology will draw on best practice approaches and methods in the field of comparative social research.

In carrying out the tasks, the consultant will work closely with the Asia Pacific and Research Departments at TI Secretariat.

The consultant will also be requested to consult relevant actors within the TI movement and beyond who have expertise in the area of anti-corruption commissions. In addition, the consultant is expected to present the draft research tool at an expert review meeting, organized by TI in mid-June in Asia.

The expected level of effort is 18 days extending over 2 to 3 month period following the rough timeline outlined below:

10 May - Concept note outlining a basic approach to assessment framework and research methodology based on a thorough literature review (4 days)

24 May - Draft set of assessment criteria/indicators & first draft of research methodology (6 days)

7 June - Full revised draft of assessment framework and research methodology (3 days)

Mid June - Expert review meeting on draft tools (2 days)

End of June - Finalisation of research tool   (3 days)

All presentations and reports are to be submitted in English, in electronic form, in accordance with the deadlines stipulated above. The Consultant is responsible for editing and quality control of language. The TI Secretariat retains the sole rights with respect to all distribution, dissemination and publication of the deliverables.

Selection criteria

The Consultant should have the following qualifications:

• Minimum of seven years policy or research work experience on anti-corruption or governance issues, with a focus on the work of anti-corruption commissions;
• Strong expertise in the development and use of applied research tools and methodologies used in institutional analysis and anti-corruption, such as  governance assessments, compliance monitoring, integrity assessments, performance evaluations;
• Relevant expertise in developing applied comparative research tools, including the development of indicators.
• Wide experience of working with clients in civil society, particularly advocacy-oriented NGOs;
• Good understanding of governance issues and ACAs in the Asia-Pacific region would be an advantage;
• Highly motivated and committed to the values of transparency and integrity;
• Fluency in English;
• Willingness and ability to travel to the Asia Pacific Region

Remuneration and costs

The Consultant should provide a detailed breakdown, before any VAT or other charges, of all their estimated costs.  

Transparency International e.V. (Secretariat), (TI-S) is registered as a Business Entity in Germany with VAT identification number DE273612486. In order to determine the Value Added Tax (VAT) implications of this tender, we kindly request that the Consultant answer each of the following questions relating to VAT and submit their answers in the attached Word document, along with their email application.

1. Are you a registered business entity or operating as a private person?
2. In what country is your business operation located?
3. Are you registered for VAT?
4. If registered for VAT, located outside the EU, and do not apply the reverse-charge mechanism, what rate of VAT are you obliged to charge?
5. If you are not registered for VAT, are you obliged to charge any other local taxes/charges?
6. If you are VAT registered within the EU, please provide your VAT number.

Contact information

The application should include the following:

• Completed VAT template
• Letter describing your motivation and qualifications for the assignment;
• Curriculum vitae (incl. two referees);
• A cost estimate of the above-mentioned services and outputs; Please note that any travel expenses will be paid for by TIS.
• Sample of relevant written work in English.

Please indicate “Consultancy ACA Index – Asia Pacific Region” in the subject line of your email application. Applications should be sent in English by email to Rukshana Nanayakkara at rnanayakkara@transparency.org by close of business of 15/04/2013.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.