National Policy Consultant for the development of the Institutional Strategy for National Agency on Corruption Prevention 

Terms of Reference

  1. Background 

Supporting anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine is a high political priority for the European Union. By combating corruption, the EU contributes to the consolidation of democracy and economic growth of Ukraine, as well as successful approximation of Ukraine with the EU. 

Based on the significant results of the joint Danish and EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI) in Phase I 2017-2020, Denmark and the EU engaged in a second phase of the programme aimed at sustaining existing results and further expanding the support to newly established institutions, support to municipalities, civil society, media and the business sector. EUACI Phase II builds on the Ukrainian anti-corruption reform agenda and is intended for implementation on 24 May 2020 – 8 July 2024. 

October 2019 Ukrainian Parliament amended the Law on Corruption Prevention to ensure the effectiveness of the corruption prevention institutional mechanism by relaunching the agency. EUACI has been actively supporting the restructuring process of the agency following these legislative amendments. Relaunch of the agency and open and competitive NACP Head selection process re-established the trust among many international actors to re-engage with the agency. NACP is using this opportunity to invigorate the agency by designing and implementing a number of reforms in different areas of the competences of the agency in order to ensure the effectiveness of the corruption prevention institutional mechanism and deliver real and substantial results. 

EUACI supports key areas of NACP’s multi-pronged mandate, including strengthening the governance and administrative and institutional capacities to ensure sustainable institutional development of NACP. As of now the NACP is around 30% understaffed which affects NACP’s operational performance and ability to deliver, which is especially significant in circumstances of constant high pressure of high expectations from the new leadership. Hence, to be fully sustainable it is vital for NACP to develop institutional strategy as one of the key documents for institutional development for the next five years. 

Moreover, in accordance with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers № 458 “On approval of criteria and Methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of the National Agency for Prevention Corruption”, development and approval of institutional strategy, which is based on proper analysis of previous results according to the measured indicators, is one of the criteria of managerial efficiency and organizational capacity of the NACP.

 

Objective

The main objective of the technical support to be provided to the NACP within the framework of this engagement is to support the National Agency in development of its institutional strategy through expert assistance in 3 components:

  • facilitating the process of the Institutional strategy preparation, gathering preliminary information from the NACP management, further support Institutional strategy finalization by reviewing and providing feedback (recommendations) at different stages of its development;
  • increasing institutional capacity of the NACP in the areas of policy development and advocacy, stakeholder analysis and management, preparation of analytical materials and impact assessment of state anti-corruption policy measures (as part of the Institutional strategy);
  • launch and coordination of the NACP-based policy dialogue platform on important issues of governance and integrity as a basis for elaboration of the NACP Institutional strategy.

 

1.  Scope of work and expected deliverables

Scope of work

1. NACP Institutional Strategy development:

  • Interviewing NACP management, Heads of Departments and other relevant stakeholders (if needed)
  • draft stakeholders analysis and support development of the engagement plan
  • form recommendations on priorities of further institutional development 
  • prepare a draft structure of the NACP Institutional Strategy 
  • preparing and facilitating strategic sessions with NACP representatives devoted to the NACP Institutional Strategy development
  • policy advising within the preparation of the new Institutional Strategy for the NACP
  • review and provision of recommendations on different iterations of the Institutional Strategy (from the first drafts up to the finalized version to be submitted by NACP).

2. Within NACP Institutional strategy development, preparation of methodical materials and methodological recommendations, conducting trainings to increase the capacity of the NACP team on:

  • identification of stakeholders of the national anti-corruption policy, preparation of stakeholder engagement action plan;
  • integration of policy cycle framework into the process of development and implementation of the state anti-corruption policy;
  • development of system for evaluating the effectiveness and monitoring the implementation of anti-corruption measures, conducting regular impact assessment of state anti-corruption programs;
  • facilitation of preparation of analytical and advisory documents to ensure the participation of stakeholders, including the public, in the development of anti-corruption policy in Ukraine;
  • establishment of respective internal organizational procedures and policies in the NACP.

3. Assistance to the NACP in establishment and coordination of consultation platform on strategic areas of anti-corruption policy as a basis for policy dialogue and elaboration of the long-term Institutional strategy:

  • identification of stakeholders, development of proposals for thematic areas, types and formats of events;
  • planning and preparation of consultation schedule and agenda;
  • preparation of discussion papers, coordination of speakers, events facilitation;
  • finalization of discussion papers incorporating participants' feedback to become a basis for a new Institutional Strategy. 

Consultant will be expected to work in close coordination with EUACI representatives and will be required to report following the implementation of tasks. The consultant will be responsible for hiring a subcontractor (if needed) for implementation the assignment on the basis of transparent procedure. The consultant will be responsible for hiring a subcontractor (if needed) for implementation the assignment on the basis of transparent procedure.

Expected deliverables:

  1. Conducted interviews with NACP management, Heads of Departments and other relevant stakeholders (if needed). 
  2. Formed recommendations on priorities of further institutional development and prepared a draft structure of the NACP Institutional Strategy.
  3. Prepared materials and facilitated at least 2 strategic sessions on long-term Institutional Strategy development with NACP representatives. Prepared narrative report (5 pages long) with identification of key areas for Institutional development.
  4. Provided policy advice and facilitated the process of the NACP Institutional Strategy drafting.
  5. In cooperation with the NACP team, conducted discussion sessions and developed a map of the national anti-corruption policy stakeholders, prepared action plan and methodological recommendations for their engagement as part of Institutional strategy.
  6. Conducted at least 10 trainings on integration of policy cycle framework principles into development and implementation of various sectoral areas of the state anti-corruption policy and prepared methodical materials to be incorporated into Institutional strategy.
  7. Conducted at least 2 trainings on preparation of analytical documents to ensure the participation of stakeholders in the processes of anti-corruption policy development and impact assessment of the anti-corruption programs in Ukraine and prepared methodical materials to be incorporated into Institutional strategy.
  8. Developed concept and launched an effective system of consultations with NACP stakeholders - policy dialogue platform on strategic issues of anti-corruption policy.
  9. In cooperation with the NACP, at least 5 sessions prepared and conducted with stakeholders of national anti-corruption policy on priority issues of integrity and governance.
  10. In result of conducted sessions, prepared discussion papers and methodical materials as a basis for a new Institutional Strategy.
  11. Provided comments to the first draft of the Institutional Strategy.
  12. Provided assistance (drafted additional recommendations) to all iterations of the  Institutional Strategy up to the finalized draft.
  13. Prepared narrative report (5 pages long) with identification of key results and recommendations for further development. 
  14. The consultant will be responsible for hiring a subcontractor (if needed) for implementation the assignment on the basis of transparent procedure.

2.    Timeline 

The period of implementation of the contract will be 8 months, with the duration of 80 working days. The intended commencement date is the date of signature of the contract with the consultant.

3.    Professional Requirements

  • Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in the relevant field of expertise, law, social sciences or related. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
  • A minimum of 5 years of professional experience of working in the relevant field (government, non-government or international organization, providing technical assistance/advise on issues related to the field), preferably with the focus on conducting corruption risk assessment, institutional review of the field;
  • Proven ability of analytical and report drafting work;
  • Experience of working and collaborating with stakeholders including government, civil society and international organizations;
  • Experience of strategy and implementation plan development for anti-corruption agencies, or similar, preferably for a period of at least five years; 
  • Fluency in written and oral Ukrainian and English.

4. Monitoring and evaluation

Definition of indicators

The performance of the contractor will be judged upon reaching the purpose of this contract as well as obtaining its results, as indicated in the sections "Objective" and "Expected Deliverables" herein respectively. Moreover, the performance of the contractors will be judged upon successful implementation of all the specific activities indicated above.

Special requirements

By signing the contract, the contractors agree to hold in trust and confidence any information or documents ("confidential information"), disclosed to the contractors or discovered by the contractors or prepared by the contractors in the course of or as a result of the implementation of the contract, and agrees that it shall be used only for the purposes of the contract implementation and shall not be disclosed to any third party.

The contractor reports to the EUACI. The contractor shall be briefed prior to starting with the assignment. The contractor shall de-brief the EUACI prior to finalizing the assignment.

The contractor shall immediately inform the EUACI after 50% and again after 75% use of the overall foreseen working days under this contract.

5. Cross-cutting issues (integration of the youth, equal opportunities)

The project will be implemented ensuring equal opportunities for men and women and integration of the youth.

HOW TO APPLY

Deadline for submitting the proposals is 23 July 2021, 18:00 Kyiv time.

The proposal shall include an expert’s CV, methodology, financial information/budget for the assignment with an indication of days and fees, motivation letter and should be submitted within the above deadline to [email protected] with the subject NACP Institutional Strategy. 

Bidding language: English.

Clarification questions

Any clarification questions regarding the bid request should be addressed to Viktoria Popyk, [email protected]  not later than 19 July 2021, 17:00 Kyiv time.