TI seeks a consultant to prepare a “conventions gap analysis” approach for Transparency International.

The consultant will be contracted to prepare such an approach in relation to the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), i.e. a methodology for analysing how national laws and practice compare to the standards established in the UN Convention against Corruption. The document prepared should also provide guidance on how to conduct a combined gap analysis for UNCAC and other anti-corruption Conventions (see the conventions listed below).

Background:

The UNCAC is a landmark agreement establishing an international framework and standards for anti-corruption efforts, including extensive preventive measures, as well as provisions on corruption offences, international cooperation in law enforcement, asset recovery, technical assistance and some basic provisions on reviewing implementation. Other international anti-corruption conventions also establish valuable legal frameworks.

UNCAC gap analyses have been conducted to date both by governments and by NGOs. TI has prepared an overview table listing most of the existing reports and indicating their main features for the consultant to draw on. (Attachment 1 here) Additionally, combined gap analyses have been prepared by a number of TI National Chapters. In Africa, these were done for the UNCAC and AU Conventions simultaneously. In the Americas they were done for UNCAC and the OAS Convention, using indicators in the subject area of public integrity.

Additionally, UNODC has developed an UNCAC Checklist for government self-assessments which represents another form of gap analysis.

Requested Work:

A. Content of Document: The document to be prepared by the consultant should include:

1. Background.(2-3pp) Explanation of:
   1. What a gap analysis is, why useful and how it can be used
   2. Possible relevance/desirability of multiple gap analyses
   3. Relevance of TI’s NIS assessment approach for gap analysis and potential room for coordination/integration
   4. Desirability of using common approach and structure for gap analyses
2. Overall Approach, Structure, and Content:

2.1. Analytical Framework

1. Gap Analysis Framework (e.g. thematic or by article): NB: Our present inclination is that the structure should be thematic as to top headings and by article in the sub-headings.
2. Coverage (e.g. comprehensive or selective): NB: Our present inclination is that the preventive measures section should be the main focus while international cooperation and asset recovery should also be covered as well as, in the case of donor countries—technical assistance efforts. Some questions to consider: Should the CoSP Checklist articles be a priority? Should mandatory provisions be given priority over optional ones? (we think probably not)
3. Indicators/checklist: To what extent should specific indicators or checklist questions be used to facilitate easy summary, comparison and presentation of findings? If use of indicators/checklists is recommended, please provide a draft list, drawing on existing tools.
4. Legislation versus actual practice: How to cover both, gaps in legislation as well as in the actual practice?

2.2. Research Methodology

1. Proposed draft questions / indicators for respondents: The list should be prepared by the consultant

2. Data Collection: How should information for the gap analysis be collected, particularly with regard to assessing the gap in practice? Who should be responsible (please provide key qualifications of researcher)?

3. Assessment Process: How should the gap analysis assessment be generated, e.g. should there be a consultative component to the gap analysis? Please describe the potential assessment process in greater detail.

2.3. Structure and Presentation

a. Structure: Please provide a brief annotated Table of Contents
b. Summary and conclusions: What kind? How to present these?
c. Recommendations: How to arrive at recommendations? How to present?
d. Length and detail: Some guidance should be provided

B. Reference Materials for Standards to Apply (2-4pp)

1. Provide advice on how to reference and apply international standards additional to those in the UNCAC (and other anti-corruption conventions, in the case of a “multiple gap”) in evaluating country progress and performance. This section should also include NIS standards.

2. Provide a list of additional international standards relevant for the areas to be covered in the UNCAC gap analysis.

The instruments to take into account include:

• UN Convention against Corruption
• ADB-OECD Action Plan for Asia-Pacific
• African Union Convention on Combating Bribery
• Council of Europe Conventions and other GRECO instruments
• Inter-American Convention against Corruption
• TI’s NIS assessment approach

C. Deadlines for delivery: The following deadlines apply—

1. 23 October 2008—Delivery of annotated outline of Guidelines and list of key ‘open questions’ for feedback
2. 28 October 2008 – Attendance at AMM workshop discussing Guidelines
3. 21 November 2008—Delivery of first draft of Guidelines, for comment and feedback from TI-S
4. 15 December 2008—Delivery of revised draft, which will be circulated for comment to TI National Chapters
5. 10 January 2008—Final revisions

D. Attendance at AMM: Availability to attend consultation in Athens with TI National Chapters is a prerequisite. This would be arranged subject to additional funding being obtained.

E. Background reference materials: The consultant is requested to read and take account of

1. TI’s guidance material for the NIS studies
2. Sarah Repucci’s paper on gap analysis, commissioned by TI
3. UNODC’s Checklist
4. OECD’s questionnaire on UNCAC implementation
5. UNODC Legislative Guide to UNCAC and TI advocacy guide

F. Honorarium: To be discussed.

Expressions of interest should be submitted via e-mail until Friday 17 October 2008 to Gillian Dell (gdell@transparency.org). As part of your expression of interest please send:
(1) Letter describing your motivation and qualifications for the assignment
(2) Curriculum vita
(3) Sample of relevant written work in English.

Background:
The “Plain Language Guide” is to be a short TI reference document that will function as key resource for the anti-corruption movement. It is intended to provide Transparency International (TI), its national chapters (NCs) and anti-corruption partners with a set of standardised and easy-to-understand definitions to facilitate their daily work, projects, advocacy and country-level engagement.

The “Plain Language Guide” will provide a collection of essential anti-corruption terms, each with a working definition and example to demonstrate what the concept means in practice. Apart from TI and its network of national chapters, the work of partners from across the anti-corruption movement will be referenced to help compile definitions that can be easily used and adapted to support anti-corruption initiatives and advocacy in different country contexts.

Objective:
The “Plain Language Guide” will be an easy-to-use reference tool targeted at governments, companies, civil society actors and individual citizens. Definitions of key transparency and corruption-related terminology will be short and concise and easy to translate into multiple languages. They will use basic language to explain complex ideas concretely, such as what are transparency, accountability and integrity. Similar in structure to a glossary, the guide will provide additional examples and references (where relevant) to help the user how to apply the terms in practice.

Terms will be developed in consultation with TI, its national chapters and the broader anti-corruption movement. The timeline in Table 1 provides an overview of the process and deliverables.

Table 1: Estimated Timeline for Guide’s Development

A standard template will be used for developing the terms. A checklist of processes and resources to reference will be provided to the consultant.

Expected Outcomes:

The guide will consist of between 30-40 terms that are most relevant for the anti-corruption’s movement work. Each term will provide:

• a brief and simple definition
• a concrete practical example of the term applied in practice.
• a short list of relevant links for further research and follow-up.

In addition the guide will include a short introduction to the anti-corruption movement and any relevant annexes.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under supervision of the Policy and Research team at TI, the guide’s writer will perform the following tasks:

• Select a sub-list of relevant materials as the basis of outline and content for the guide’s terms.
• Prepare an initial list of terms to be presented to the movement.
• Use consultations with TI and the anti-corruption movement to provide feedback.
• Finalize draft definitions for each term, based on the structure provided (see “Objectives”).
• Maintain timely communication and contact with the TI-Secretariat at each phase of the project

Required Skills and Qualification:

Some of the desired skills include:

• Experience in working on anti-corruption and governance issues.
• In depth knowledge and technical experience on the topics proposed.
• Hands-on and practical experience in working with the anti-corruption movement.
• Significant professional experience in developing and drafting instructive publications and learning materials for practitioners.

Time Frame and Deliverables:
A maximum of fifteen working days will be required. All work will be done remotely. At the end of the contract, the consultant will be asked to provide:

• the final draft of the guide (in electronic form)
• a list of resources used.
• an accompanying annex.

Payment for Services:

Services are to be remunerated based on a competitive selection process.

Application:
Interested candidates are requested to send their CV and cover letter to Craig Fagan (cfagan@transparency.org) by 24 October.