Background

Decentralization and local government continue to be an important chapter in Albania's reform agenda. After a deep territorial consolidation in 2014 that materialized in the local elections of 2015, the first tier of local governments in Albania was reorganized in 61 municipalities that administer the entire territory of the country. A Cross-cutting Strategy on Decentralization and Local Government 2015 – 2020 (NCSDLG) and a Law on Local Self-Government, adopted in 2015, set the vision for furthering reforms, the devolution of additional functions and competencies to the local level, and the regulation of some critical aspects of governance such as the institutionalization of central-local dialogue, transparency, information, and consultation. The completion of the legislative framework with a Law on Local Self-Government Finances, which specifies funding instruments and sources, was of particular importance for local governments. A Mid-Term Review of the NCSDLG, undertaken in 2018, noted the progress made and reconfirmed the relevance of the four strategic objectives of the NCSDLG. It also recommended extending the NCSDLG timeline until 2022 and the necessity to update the related Action Plan. 

Government efforts have been increasingly supported and encouraged by the international development community through re-orienting their ongoing assistance and embarking on new initiatives, encompassing institutional capacity building, service delivery, local finance management, good governance, and EU integration. 

A particular partnership to support the Government in developing and implementing the territorial reform was built jointly by Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, USAID, and UNDP under the STAR project, which ran from 2013 until 2016. STAR project accompanied the territorial reform from the outset until the first year of the newly established municipalities' mandate. It paved the way for the second phase of joint assistance, STAR2.

The scope of STAR2 included all municipalities and focused primarily on service delivery improvement and modernization; institutional and capacity development for municipal administrations; standardization of processes and systems; and promotion of local democracy.

At the end of STAR2, in March 20202, many of the project activities introduced new practices or systems that built capacities and introduced changes. However, for these changes to take root, more time and efforts are needed to absorb the knowledge and make such practices or systems fully operational, internalized, and part of routine municipal operations.

To this end, a renewed joint commitment under STAR3 officially started in September 2020, aligns development partners in supporting the further consolidation of STAR2 achievements to date, but also with a view to better respond to the objectives of the NCSDLG and its accompanying Action Plan, in consideration of the current context of development assistance dynamics.

During the STAR2 project, a standard risk assessment methodology and integrity plans were introduced and piloted in six municipalities for further replication among other outputs and products delivered. The methodology was drafted in consultation with several local governments and central institutions. It was endorsed by the National Coordinator Against Corruption (Ministry of Justice) and the Agency for Support to Local Government. Along with piloting the methodology at the local level, the methodology was adapted for central-level public institutions. The integrity planning was first tested in the Ministry of Justice. These activities were commissioned to the Institute for Democracy and Mediation.

Through this assistance, STAR2 explored regional and international practices and opportunities and risk factors of the domestic environment to shape a proper approach suitable to the Albanian cultural and institutional context. The pilot exercises focused on reviewing and assessing internal documents, sources and evidence, and policies and procedures. The whole process was based on ‘insider’ knowledge of the internal environment and working processes and helped develop public officials' confidence in what they are doing well. This approach also provided a realistic and comprehensive overview of key areas of corruption and integrity risk by:

• Assessing the level of vulnerability or exposure of individuals to corruption risks and other unlawful or unethical behavior or practice.
• Identifying risk factors for corruption and other unlawful or unethical conduct or practice in an institution's individual working fields.
• Defining measures to reduce, eliminate or control identified risks and risk factors.

The new plans for UNDP and STAR3 are to expand the integrity planning experience in other local governments and, if possible, in other central public institutions. Such expansion will create a critical mass and help consolidate this instrument; however, the desired objectives will be met halfway if the plans are not adequately implemented and monitored. To this end, STAR3 aims to develop a quantification methodology and instrument, the Integrity Index for Public Institutions, linked to the implementation of the activities or the achievement of the results identified by the integrity plans.

Together with the other efforts and assistance in strengthening municipal transparency and accountability, this capacity-building investment will contribute to curb corruption and therefore align with the requirements of the national strategies on Anti-corruption and Public Administration reform, among others. This intervention also responds to the shortcomings identified by the STAR2 Local Governance Mapping 2020, where citizens’ perceptions of Transparency and Accountability seem to stagnate to the low levels of 2016, which is more relevant for larger municipalities.

While the development of such an Integrity Index will be entrusted to the Service Provider implementing the integrity plans, UNDP and STAR3 seek to engage expertise to carry out independent research to explore similar practices and alternatives and provide advice on elements to be included in the Integrity Index construct. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Integrity Consultant will work under the STAR3 Project Manager's general guidance and in close cooperation with the Project Team. The Integrity Consultant will engage, non-exhaustively, in the following main activities:

1. An extensive desk review of relevant literature and other countries’ experiences
2. A thorough reading and understanding of the developed Integrated Risk Assessment Methodology as well as the Integrity Plans adopted by the pilot local governments and the Ministry of Justice
3. Based on the above, provide a Paper that elaborates:

1. The possible elements of an Integrity Index for public institutions, analysing different factors and their inter-linkages
2. The possible scoring of various composing elements
3. The likelihood of feasibility and adoption of such Index
4. Final recommendation to consider in finalizing this task

Therefore, the consultancy work is meant to be carried out independently, not in collaboration and consultation with the Service Provider. The feedback should represent complementary and alternative approaches to the one the Service Provider is expected to develop.

Quantifying public integrity is not a clear-cut and easy undertaking and is also a new concept for Albania's public institutions. While the literature and its practical implementation are rich, factors such as the local context, the working culture of public institutions up to the individual behaviour are contextual elements implying the development of a tailored, feasible, and acceptable instrument, in addition to the efforts to make it operational and sustainable. These considerations are triggers for developing and assessing different options even before testing a methodology in the field.

The consultancy required is mainly a desk work and is expected to contribute to the Integrity Index's theoretical aspects. At the same time, the Service Provider will adopt a much broader approach that engages in consultations with beneficiaries and key stakeholders at the central and local levels, aiming to identify:

1. The principal areas of the anti-corruption agenda to be monitored.
2. Linking monitoring areas with the assessment instrument.
3. Defining appropriate assessment indicators.
4. Determining the practical protocols of measuring and reporting on the indicators, leading to an aggregate Index score.

These aspects may also guide the work of the independent Consultant, in addition to other aspects he/she might wish to consider.

3 - Deliverables

The deliverable of this Consultancy should be the provision of a research Paper, providing the contextual justification for the development of an Integrity Index, a proposed Integrity Index, and its component, together with the rationale of the proposed model, recommendations for further action or areas to maintain in focus, and the feasibility analysis.

4 – UNDP/STAR3 support

UNDP/STAR3 will provide to the Consultant the full documentation related to the Integrated Risk Assessment methodology as well as the available Integrity Plans. In addition, a non exhaustive literature package will also be made available, though the Consultant is expected to broaden it as deemed necessary and based on his/her approach and research skills. STAR3 project team will facilitate and support the Consultant in case of need to liaise with relevant stakeholders or satisfying any reasonable request related to the assignment.

Competencies

The Consultant must possess or satisfy the following criteria:

Core competencies and values:

• Demonstrate integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
• Demonstrate professional competence and be efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Display cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional competencies

• Ability to work on tight deadlines;
• Ability to apply good judgment in the context of the assignment given as well as to plan work and manage priorities
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills;
• Be very good in report writing.

Required Skills and Experience

The preferred educational background and minimum required qualifications for the interested candidates, include the following.

Education/Academic Qualification:

• An advanced university degree in pubic administration, law , management, social sciences or related discipline

Work Experience:

• At least 5 years experience working in a public or private sector in areas related to law enforcement, management, or operations.
• Experience in interpreting legislation into practical application;
• Having knowledge and understanding of concepts and culture relevant to Law enforcement and public administration.
• Familiar with and experience in the use of various research methodologies and sources

Language requirements:

• Good communication (spoken and written) skills in English, including ability to draft reports and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style.

7 – Schedule of payments

UNDP shall make payments to the Consultant after acceptance by UNDP/STAR3 of the deliverables, and in accordance with the following schedule of payments:

Application Procedure 

Interested applicants are advised to carefully study all sections of this ToRs and ensure that they meet the general requirements as well as specific qualifications described. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials. 

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. 
• Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability-please fill in the attached form. Download Here (kindly use Firefox browser)
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, please upload the P11 instead of your CV. Download Here (kindly use Firefox browser)

• Financial Proposal in ALL*- specifying a total lump sum in Albanian Lek for the tasks specified in this announcement. The attached template may be used - Download Here (kindy use Firefox browser) Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant during the contract period (e.g. fee and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services). 

• Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport. 
• Technical proposal – specifying the methodology which the consultant will employ to conduct this assignment.

*Kindly note that Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal are two separate documents and should be both part of your application. 

How to Submit the Application: 

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below: 

• Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs); 
• Merge your UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs), Financial Proposal Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded; 
• Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement); 
• Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;” 
• Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above); 

• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system. 

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. 

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.