UNDP Jobs - 47473- International Consultant to Develop a Methodology

International Consultant to Develop a Methodology on Corruption Risks Assessment in Border Management

Location :

Home-based, no travel required, TURKEY

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

03-Jul-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

estimated July - August 2014

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

approximately 20 working days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Strong border management systems are fundamental components of good governance. Efforts to address accountability and integrity in border agencies are crucial not only for sustained economic growth and trade facilitation; it also helps reducing the cross-border movement of illegal trafficking, drugs, illegal movement of people. Effectiveness of customs administration has a direct impact on state development, economy, foreign investments and labor market. Modern border management initiatives are being implemented around the world; however, efficiency of border services is heavily undermined by corruption.

Corruption in Border Agencies is understood as a direct threat to citizen security, national security, and international security. Border management has emerged as a significant line of donor assistance in the last decade, and this is anticipated to increase still further (1). Growth in both supply and demand for border management is driven by three powerful forces: global security concerns, trade as a driver of development, the political necessity of better managing human mobility.

The EU and UNDP have been working together on integrated border management in Eastern Europe and Central Asia region. Some of the most prominent initiatives are the Border Management in Northern Afghanistan (BOMNAF), Modernization of Bagratashen, Bavra, Gogavan Border Crossing Points of the Republic of Armenia (MBBG), EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) and Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA). BOMNAF aims at reinforcing the border management capacity and trans-border cooperation in the Northern provinces of Afghanistan through improving cross-border cooperation and the capacity to increase legal trade, travel and commerce along Afghanistan’s border with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. MBBG ensures improved conditions for business and trade, safe, secure, gender friendly and facilitated movement of people and goods across the border, enhancing inter-agency as well as international cooperation. EUBAM focuses its assistance on advisory role of enhancing border-management capacities of Moldovan and Ukrainian border guard and customs services, while BOMCA is assisting five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) to promote the stability and security in the region through integrated border management and regional cooperation. European standards of integrated border management (IBM) are also being introduced in Armenia at the border crossing point Armenia-Georgia. The EU- UNDP projects aims at facilitating trade, transit and movement of people across the border.

The introduction of effective Integrated Border Management systems require strong legal frameworks, enhanced inter-agency and cross-border cooperation, improvement of transparency, accountability and integrity of border management agencies. In addition to support provided for policy development, legislative and regulatory change and capacity development for Border Agencies, assistance to agencies is needed to undertake risks analysis in regard to integrity frameworks, codes of conduct, conflict of interest etc.

In this framework, UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and Central Asia intends to hire an expert to develop a Methodology on Corruption Risks Assessment in Border Management which is to be applied within the countries of the region. The objective of the survey is to capture the corruption risk areas of the border management services comprising vertical aspect (different administrative levels) and horizontal aspect (line agencies as customs, border guards, inspection services).

The EU has spent approx 1 bn Euro on border management and related programming 2003- 2013. In the same period, the UNDP portfolio totals $350,000 of assistance in completed, ongoing, or pipeline projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant will work under the supervision of Anti Corruption Specialist, Democratic Governance Practice and Conflict Specialist, Crises Prevention and Recovery Practice. The deliverables will be developed in the order described below with proper coordination and approval on completion of each of them.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

Get acquainted with the existing methodologies/ studies and results of previous activities on corruption risk assessment within border management agencies (border guards, customs, inspection services);
Analyze other available resources as printed and electronic publications, international guidelines, standards, best practices on the issue of border management (e.g. EU Integrated Border Management concept);
Identify the relevant niches for applying the methodology and the thematic risk areas (e.g. border crossing, border checks, collection of revenues, recruitment/promotion systems);
Design the survey questionnaires and survey sample.

Deliverables with timeline:

Elaborate the first draft of the methodology (containing overview of the existing methodologies/ studies, the methodological principles on the basis of which the survey will be conducted; the identified risk areas in border service; proposed target group/ sample on which the survey should be conducted, (by July 15, 2014);
Develop a set of indicators for assessing the corruption risks and vulnerabilities in the border management service (for different agencies), sample questionnaire for the survey, as well as guideline for methodology implementation (data collection, processing, analyzing etc.), (by July 30, 2014);
Elaborate the final methodology and guidance for conducting assessment, incorporating feedback provided on deliverables 1 and 2; instructions regarding the conduction of the survey; recommendations on collecting and processing data (by August 31, 2014).

Payment:

A lump sum amount will be paid upon completion and approval of the three deliverables described above.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills;
Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
Ability to establish priorities and to plan and coordinate works.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree in law, economics, social science, public administration, political science or other related discipline is a requirement.

Experience:

At least 5 years of proven experience in areas related to integrity/ accountability of border management agencies;
Proven in-depth knowledge and understanding of the concepts and principles on governance issues in the border management environment;
Proven experience in developing assessment methodologies, designing of questionnaires and drafting of instructions on questionnaire filling in;
Ability to research and interpret information related to corruption in the public administration;
Knowledge of the peculiarities of civil service (data collection process, methodologies used for public administration surveys etc.);
Familiarity with the best practices, good knowledge of the terminology, definitions and procedures used at international level (European/international standards) as it regards to border management surveys.

Language:

English language is required;
Knowledge of Russian or other regional language is an asset.

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 35 points.

Experience in areas related to integrity / accountability of border management agencies: max. 10 points;
In-depth knowledge and understanding of the concepts and principles on governance issues in the border management environment: max. 10 points;
Experience in developing assessment methodologies, designing of questionnaires and drafting of instructions on questionnaire filling in: max. 8 points;
Familiarity with the best practices and procedures used at international level on border management: max. 5 points;
Knowledge of Russian or other language of the region: max. 2 points.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 15 points.

Application procedures

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website.
The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
Financial Proposal* - specifying a total lump sum amount in USD for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days, and any other possible costs);
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services).

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.
Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org.

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.
Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.