Background

Romania’s development assistance (ODA) programme has been officially launched in 2007, following the country’s accession to the European Union (EU). Since then, Romania has strived to position itself on the international development arena as an innovative donor, with the main comparative advantage of being able to share its direct experience and knowledge in the democratic transition and Euro-Atlantic integration processes. Romania’s strategic objective in development cooperation is to contribute to poverty reduction by promoting security and economic welfare, state of law, sustainable economic development, climate change mitigation and investments in education, complementing international efforts in the field.

Romania has identified the thematic and geographic priorities, and has developed a clear national Policy and institutional framework for its ODA. The geographical focus is now on twelve countries: in the Black Sea extended region - the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan; and in North Africa and the Middle East - Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan. The Romanian current ODA thematic priorities are: 1) transition to democracy (reconstruction of the state, democratic governance, administrative reform, support for the civil society, the media, and conflict resolution); 2) support for agriculture and sustainable economic growth in the climate change context– preferably in the phytosanitary and sanitary and veterinary fields; 3) environment protection and support for activities to promote sustainable energy in the context of the climate changes. The secondary sectors are health and education.

In view of further consolidating national capacities in the field of ODA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs  (MFA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are currently implementing The New ODA Cooperation Partnership with Romania project (2013-2015), with the overall objective to support Romania in becoming an effective, innovative and increasingly influential actor for development cooperation so it can achieve sustainable, scalable development impact in the countries that are a priority of Romanian ODA. The UNDP continues to provide the MFA with the necessary administrative and implementation mechanism and tools for ODA delivery (project/programme frameworks and management capacity) where needed.

Having gone through a complex democratic transition process, Romania has gathered plenty of experiences, good practices and lessons learned that can be shared with other countries that continue their efforts to build a strong and democratic state.

In this context, the field of integrity and anticorruption is emerging as a credible thematic focus of the Romanian development cooperation programme, which could further develop into a specific thematic priority, as part of the larger umbrella of Romania’s contribution to strengthening democratic governance in its partner countries. Public institutions such as the Romanian Ministry of Justice, the National Anticorruption Directorate, and the National Integrity Agency have acquired international recognition as repositories of good practices (for example from the European Commission, through the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism reports or the UNODC on Romania’s implementation of UNCAC). Consequently, these institutions have developed an increasingly active role in the international efforts towards fighting corruption and promoting integrity, by participating in different cooperation networks and technical assistance projects. The Romanian experience in the field of anticorruption and integrity has been shared with partner countries in multilateral settings, but also through bilateral partnerships. For example, the Ministry of Justice was invited to share its best practices in the field on developing national anticorruption strategies by OECD and UNDP in regional seminars and conferences. Also, within bilateral cooperation programs, the National Anticorruption Directorate hosted in 2012-2013 a study visits for representatives of anticorruption agencies from Kenya, Ethiopia, Armenia, Jordan, China, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro.

However, up to this moment, the existing best practices, expertise and capacities of the Romanian public institutions and civil society organizations to provide assistance to other countries in this field have not been yet mapped and assessed so far, with a view to enhancing Romania’s position as a provider of development assistance in the field of anticorruption.

Duties and Responsibilities

This evaluation will help develop a clearer understanding of how Romania has started to engage in providing assistance in the field of anticorruption and integrity to respond to the needs and demands of its partner countries and it will examine Romania’s potential and comparative advantage for developing a strategic niche and a specific role as an international donor supporting its partner countries to fighting corruption in an effective manner.

The evaluation will also map the existing efforts in this field, and will assess the relevance, appropriateness, scope of coverage, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of  the existing projects and activities directed at supporting countries to strengthen their capacity to fight corruption, implemented (mainly) within the Romanian national ODA programme.

The Evaluation Questions - The following key questions will guide the project evaluation process:

What are the results of the development assistance activities, projects, and programmes financed by the Romanian government in the field of anticorruption and integrity?

What are the types of interventions that were / could be best suited for sharing Romania’s transition experience in the field of anticorruption and integrity?

The evaluation report will provide strategic recommendations on specific intervention modalities (for example project based approach, technical assistance, direct financial support, etc) that could be most effective in providing development assistance in the field of anticorruption and integrity. What are/could be Romania’s competitive advantages in these fields, as compared with other donors? What is the thematic and geographic niche that Romania should develop in this field?

What are the capacities (institutional, technical, etc) that Romania has developed in the field of anticorruption and integrity? Which are the most active stakeholders in this field and which are the best practices that can be shared with partner countries?

Do stakeholders have the necessary capacities to develop and implement assistance projects and programmes in partner countries?

How has Romania positioned itself as a provider of assistance in the field of anticorruption and integrity in the international development arena? What is the level of visibility and awareness of Romania’s efforts in this field and what is its potential?

The evaluation will focus on the assistance that Romania has granted to its partner countries in the field of anticorruption and integrity in the period 2007-2014 and will include:

  • A portfolio analysis (mapping the projects implemented by national state institutions and civil society (NGOs, media, etc), as part of the Romanian development assistance, and contributions to multilateral efforts);
  • Evaluation of the thematic niche areas in the field of anticorruption and integrity, including an identification of Romanian best practices and expertise and its comparative advantage, comparing with other donors;
  • Evaluation of the relevant national stakeholders’ capacities to implement development assistance projects and programmes in the field of anticorruption and integrity;
  • Evaluation of Romania’s profile as a donor of development assistance in the field of anticorruption and integrity  (level of visibility and awareness at the international level).

Methodology for Evaluation

The evaluation will provide quantitative and qualitative data through the following methods:

  • Desk study and review (including project documentation, evaluation reports wherever available, strategic ODA documentation, etc);
  • In depth interviews to gather primary data from key stakeholders (including representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the National integrity Agency, the National Directorate for Anticorruption Directorate, UNDP and MFA, project beneficiaries, international partners, national/international NGOs, etc.) using a well-structured methodology.

Duration of the Evaluation: The evaluation is expected to start in late April 2015 for an estimated duration of 25 working days. This will include desk study and review, interviews with stakeholders and report writing.

Milestones:

  • Evaluation kick off - Late April 2015;
  • Desk review of all relevant documentation - (approx.)  7 days;
  • In depth interviews with key stakeholders - (approx.)  10 days;
  • Draft report elaboration - (approx.)  5 days, Delivery to UNDP: late May 2015;
  • Final report - (approx.) 3 days, Delivery to UNDP: early June 2015.

Expected Deliverables

The key product expected from this exercise is a thematic evaluation report drafted in the English language. A draft report including research methodology, structure and preliminary findings should be submitted to UNDP as per the estimative consultancy schedule (above). The Report will be a stand-alone document that substantiates its recommendations and conclusions, formulated on the basis of the evaluation questions. The report provided to the UNDP should present complete and convincing evidence to support its findings/ratings. The length of the final evaluation report shall not exceed 20-25 pages in total (not including annexes).

Management Arrangement

The Consultant will report to the UNDP ODA Project Manager and will work in close coordination with the project team and the MFA project partners. Upon UNDP’s request and if deemed necessary, the consultant will provide further details/ clarifications related to the findings of the report submitted.

Competencies

  • Strong analytical skills;
  • Well-developed ability to synthesize information;
  • Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty;
  • Good knowledge and understanding of development cooperation, aid effectiveness and related issues;
  • Good knowledge and understanding of the evolving trends and the main actors in the field of electoral management  at the international level.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Masters degree in Law, Public Policy, International Development, Development Economics/Planning, Economics, International Relations/ Diplomacy or any other relevant university degree;
  • Technical qualifications in the field of anticorruption and integrity are a plus.

Experience:

  • At least 3 project/programme/outcome/thematic evaluations performed and accepted by the hiring organization; experience in conducting UNDP project evaluations is a strong asset (needs-assessments, planning/strategy reports will not be taken into consideration);
  • At least 5years of experience working in the field of anticorruption and integrity;
  • Experience in working with international organizations and donors is a plus;

Language:

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English;

Important Note: