GBLCAREERS

Transparency International (TI) is the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption. Through more than 100 Chapters worldwide, TI raises awareness of the damaging effects of corruption and works with partners in government, business and civil society to develop and implement effective measures to tackle it. In conflict and fragile states, corruption features centre stage. Corruption drives conflict through entrenching inequality, it plays a key role in the power-struggle between competing groups and weakens a military’s ability to respond effectively to security threats.

TI Defence & Security Program is working towards a world in which governments, the armed forces, and arms transfers are transparent, accountable, and free from corruption. We seek reforms toward open governments served by transparent defence institutions that are accountable to ordinary people and whose primary purpose is the protection of all citizens, not self-enrichment.

ROLE PROFILE

We are looking for an experienced and skilled researcher with a solid understanding of procurement processes in Tunisia, who can conduct Transparency International’s research into areas of corruption risk in defence procurement in Tunisia and perform an assessment of the availability of information and corruption risks in Tunisia’s military acquisition process. The researcher will need to use their understanding of the Tunisian context to build on Transparency International’s typology of defence procurement corruption risk and make it relevant to the Tunisian context. They will identify data sources and assist in compiling policy recommendations relevant to Tunisia’s defence sector.

The complexity and opacity of defence contracting can offer numerous opportunities for theft, for example via the exploitation of emergency, non-competitive tendering procedures or by bribing officials testing equipment or monitoring deliveries. Further along in the tendering process, post-award documentation may be falsified to create opportunities for corrupt contractors to improve their margins and earn additional fees to fund kickbacks and further bribes.

The aim of this research is understanding these corruption risk patterns, which in turn can lead to better detection of corruption. Civil society can play an important role as an independent monitor exposing abuse in even the most well developed procurement systems. Governments can also benefit from understanding the patterns of corruption risk in order to develop mechanisms to address them and to fill in gaps in process and oversight that allow such risks to develop.  Transparency International is working on research across a number of countries to understand where these corruption risks lie within the defence procurement cycle. The insights and lessons from this research will guide our future training materials for officials, oversight agencies, journalists and NGOs on how defence procurement corruption is most likely to occur and how to monitor for red flags. The data collected in this research will be used to substantiate the first report in TI DS’ series of ‘How to Reform Defence Procurement’ guides.

This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled senior researcher to contribute to meaningful reform being sought by Transparency International in the anti-corruption field and the defence sector.

Duration – Consultant contract (equivalent to a minimum of 15 days work) ideally to complete by early March

Pay Scale – Final research fee: GBP 1,500-2,000 dependent on experience

Location – Preferably Tunis, or easy access to, to facilitate interviews

 KEY DUTIES

• Complete a typology we have designed that analyses at which stage in the defence procurement cycle specific corruption risks are most likely to occur, which corruption mechanisms are most prevalent, lucrative, and what specific publicly available data would facilitate the identification of these red flags. Initially this will be a desk-based review of publicly available data, expanded to include interviews with defence procurement and governance experts to gain an up-to-date insight on both issues and controls.
• Assist in compiling policy recommendations: classifying the most commonly exploited and prevalent weaknesses will position us to give specific policy recommendations and training on how the Tunisian military can increase its anti-corruption controls.
• Consultant contract (equivalent to a minimum of 15 days work) ideally to complete by early March
• Preferably located in Tunisia, to facilitate conducting interviews.
• EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Experienced and skilled researcher, analyst and interviewer.
• Demonstrable understanding of the causes and effects of corruption, and the relationship between corruption and public procurement.
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills.
• Knowledge of public or military procurement, open data and transparency issues, corruption/governance issues
• Subject knowledge of the political systems, actors and dynamics in Tunisia
• Fluency in Arabic
• Excellent command of English.
• A commitment to Transparency International’s core values: Transparency, Accountability, Integrity, Solidarity, Courage, Justice and Democracy.

Desirable

• Experience carrying out similar projects, knowledge of investigations, corruption risk assessments, the defence sector, the Tunisian legal system and the role of oversight agencies in the public/military acquisition process.
• Working knowledge of French
   

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so please apply as soon as possible. Applicants should send the following three items, in one PDF file:
  • Cover letter explaining how you meet the requirements of the role and why you are applying (1 page max);
  • CV (2 pages max), with details of relevant experience;
  • a writing sample in English (no less than 3 and no more than 5 pages) in one PDF document 
  • Applications should be sent by e-mail to 

Please include your name and the role you are applying for in the subject line. Please note that due to the very high volume of applications we receive, we greatly regret that we are unable to send personalised acknowledgements or give feedback on applications. Transparency International UK is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

 

From our secretariat in Berlin and in more than 100 national chapters, Transparency International seeks professionals and volunteers with exceptional talent and commitment to join our efforts and make a contribution to a better world.The international fight against corruption needs your expertise, your skills and experience, and your passion for social justice.