Consultancy on developing a Local Integrity System Assessment Tool for Transparency International

Summary

Transparency International (TI) is inviting expressions of interest from highly skilled experts/consultants on anti-corruption assessment tools to develop a Local Integrity System Assessment tool.

The expert is expected to develop a tool to map, analyse and assess the main institutions and actors which make up a local governance system. The tool is supposed to be generic and applicable in a variety of country contexts. The consultancy will start in November 2011 and has to be completed by end of January 2012.

Background

TI is the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption. Through more than 90 national chapters worldwide, and an international Secretariat in Berlin, Germany (TI-S), TI raises awareness about the devastating impact of corruption and works with partners in government, the private sector and civil society to develop and implement effective measures to tackle it.

In the 1990s, TI pioneered the innovative approach to assessing institutional anti-corruption systems at national level in the form of the National Integrity System (NIS) approach (http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/nis). As of 2011, TI has published more than 70 NIS assessments worldwide, providing a comprehensive picture of the strengths and weaknesses of a country’s main anti-corruption institutions and actors. In 2009 the NIS assessment methodology was enhanced to include a scoring system to assist with more targeted advocacy on the basis of the NIS findings. In 2011 the first ‘new’ NIS assessments were published (see for example NIS Assessment Georgia http://transparency.org/news_room/in_focus/2011/georgia_shortcomings_threaten_anticorruption_progress).

Given the high and increasing relevance of the local governance level as the front-line interface between government and citizens, TI is seeking to adapt its NIS approach to the local level.

Description of Tasks & Timeline

The consultant will develop an assessment tool to map, analyse and assess the main institutions and actors which make up a local governance system. Following the NIS model, the local integrity system assessment tool will combine the gathering of valid and reliable evidence on the performance of the local anti-corruption institutions and actors with a consultative approach, engaging key stakeholders in the research, analysis and validation elements of the implementation of the assessment in a given locality. This approach, which is a key feature of TI’s National Integrity System tool, has proven to be an effective evidence-based advocacy strategy on anti-corruption issues, and holds particular promise at the local level, where there is more scope for involving key actors in the research process. Given the vast diversity of local governance make-ups across the world, the resulting tools will place a strong emphasis on flexibility and adaptability to different governance structures and contexts.

The resulting tool will be adapted and then applied by in-country teams to assess selected local governance units and, based on this assessment, to make recommendations to local stakeholders on how to improve the anti-corruption system at the local level.

The work of the consultant will entail the following:

Review Phase:

• A thorough review of existing diagnostic tools to assess local governance and integrity systems as well as other relevant social accountability tools at the local level
• Becoming familiar with TI’s National Integrity System Assessment Tool and TI’s overall approach to evidence-based advocacy
• Brief reflection paper (max 2. pages) on key issues arising from review

Tool Development Phase:

• Develop a concept note on a TI Local Integrity System Assessment Tool
• Based on feedback from TI and other stakeholders, develop a first draft outline of the local integrity assessment tool for implementers of the tool and present this in a face-to-face or video meeting to TI
• Incorporate comments and input by TI and other stakeholders, produce a full draft
• Revise, refine and finalise the draft tool

It is expected that the consultant will complete the following tasks:

• 5 December 2011: Produce reflection paper based on review phase
• 12 December 2011: Produce concept note for Local Integrity System Assessment Tool
• End of December 2011: Produce annotated outline of Local Integrity System Assessment tool
• Mid-January 2012: Produce first draft of Local Integrity System Assessment tool
• End of January 2012: Produce final draft of Local Integrity System Assessment tool

The total budget available for this assignment is 12,000 Euro.

TI’s Research Department will support the work of the consultant by providing a rather comprehensive list of existing local anti-corruption assessment tools as well as full information on the NIS methodology, approach and lessons learned from its applications at country-level. TI will also be available to clarify any questions which arise during the review and tool development process.

Profile & Experience:

Applicants are expected to have the following profile:

• Advanced university degree in a relevant field (e.g. Political Science, Public Administration, Development Studies)
• Significant experience in designing applied research projects in the field of anti-corruption
• Solid understanding of local governance and corruption challenges at the local level
• Familiarity with participatory research methods and consultative action-research processes
• Spoken and written fluency in English

Application process

Applications must be sent to lisatool@transparency.org by 21 November 2011, with the following elements attached:

• Curriculum Vitae with full description of the applicant’s profile and expertise
• A brief summary proposal on how the applicant intends to take on the assignment
• A writing sample on a relevant topic, ideally on an issue related to corruption/anti-corruption assessments
• Contact details for at least two independent referees with in-depth and proven knowledge of the applicant’s expertise and relevant work experience.

Please indicate “Expression of interest – Local Integrity System Assessment Tool” in the subject line of your email application.

Applications from consultancy companies or groups of consultants are also accepted, provided that the consultants who would work on this assignment are clearly identified in the application package.

For more information on Transparency International, please visit www.transparency.org