1. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) is an intergovernmental regional organization comprised of nine member countries from South East Europe (SEE): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia; and five observers: Poland, Ukraine, Greece, Georgia and Slovenia. Kosovo* institutions are the beneficiaries of RAI activities.

RAI’s mission is to lead regional cooperation to support anticorruption efforts by providing a common platform for discussions through sharing knowledge and best practices. RAI acts as a regional hub through which governments of the region combine their efforts to help curb corruption in the SEE. RAI Secretariat is based in Sarajevo and it is the executive body of the Initiative. It facilitates regional cooperation and efforts in curbing corruption in SEE by building on existing actions, through better coordination of all efforts, and by relying on high-level political commitment

RAI and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) are implementing a 3-year regional project “Southeast Europe – Together Against Corruption II” (hereinafter: (SEE-TAC II) funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA). SEE TAC II focuses on Albania,

^* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. The participation of Croatia, Moldova, Bulgaria and Romania will be considered based on their relevant institutions and organizations’ priorities and needs.

The project builds upon the “Southeast Europe – Together Against Corruption I” (hereinafter: (SEE-TAC I), by acknowledging the level of implementation of outcomes and outputs and achievement of the results.

In the previous phase, RAI Secretariat established an online learning hub designed to enhance the learning experience and promote rapid information exchange and connectivity in the anti- corruption sector, which includes the CRA course¹.

The overall project goal is to reduce corruption in Western Balkans (WB) jurisdictions, by straightening the capacity of governments, especially relevant institutions reaching the highest possible level of their independence and expertise, as well as civil society organizations (CSO), the private sector and the media to prevent and fight corruption in line with UNCAC and UNTOC.

Through the general support in implementing the CRA and CPL mechanisms in the previous project phase, the sectoral approach was identified as an appropriate method for strengthening the implementation of these mechanisms in targeted jurisdictions.

Having considered comments received from jurisdictions in previous phase, and the strategic objectives defined by RAI work plan 2023-2025, CRA and CPL activities will be focused on the Environment and Security sectors. CRA could detect risks of issuing permits for polluting activities or overlooking illegal logging; falsifying environmental reports; hiring unqualified family or friends to positions of power in environmental agencies; and awarding contracts for environmental projects to friends or businesses without a competitive bidding process. This is also in line with the need for faster diversification and green transition as part of the Green Deal strategy. On the other hand, the EU’s aspiration towards decarbonization and uptake of renewable energy sources in the electricity sector could be hindered by the severe regulatory and administrative barriers and the existing political and economic framework fails to incentivize power sector decentralization. The countries from the region instead enable utility- scale projects, highly prone to corruption practices. Furthermore, the evidence shows that the most affected by corruption are areas of energy, forestry, waste and the extractive industries, while corruption tends to be most prevalent during the procurement stage, as well as affecting environmental law enforcement. Also, corruption has led some areas in WB to the depletion of the country’s natural resources ranging from deforestation, soil erosion, water resource degradation, de-fertilization, crop damages, siltation, increased water turbidity, and air pollution. All these threaten the WB’s food security.

The selected expert will provide support to RAI Secretariat in carrying out the development and application of sector-focused corruption risk assessment and corruption proofing of legislation in the area of environment. This is to be accomplished through making an implementation plan, mapping of targeted institutions and identification of the sector/sectors within the Environment area, followed by the development of user-friendly tools – guidance with checklists and tailor- made training exercises for the in-depth capacity building. The expert will also be involved in the preparation and delivery of regional events.

¹ CRA course available at the following link: https://lms.rai-see.org/course/view.php?id=18

Also, the expert would provide necessary content to the IT Expert who will be responsible for technical upgrading of the CRA online learning course and development of CPL learning tool.

The targeted jurisdictions are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

Social inclusion and a gender-sensitive approach should be taken into consideration while developing all deliverables under this assignment Beneficiaries, will be encouraged to adopt a gender-aware approach.

Under this Services Agreement, the expert will contribute to the following outcome, with subsequent outputs:

Outcome 1: Sectoral Corruption risk assessment (CRA) and sectoral Corruption proofing of legislation (CPL) mechanisms introduced into the Environment institutions.

Output 1.1: Sectoral CRA methodologies for the Environment sector developed

Output 1.2: Sectoral CPL methodologies for the Environment sector developed

Output 1.3: Capacity-building activities for the governmental institutions from the Environment sector conducted

Although the Outcome is set, activities will be adjusted based on regional circumstances, beneficiary responsiveness, and methodologies applied.

The Expert is expected to complete the below tasks with the assigned tentative number of consultancy days in line with the tentative timeframe:

2 In this specific case, the term “Guidance with checklist” describes a user-friendly tool (document) produced for a specific sector with the aim of outlining the sector-specific risks with selected examples how the most prevalent risks can be successfully targeted. and equipping beneficiaries with the right tools and building their capacities on

The Expert will operate under the supervision of the Senior Anti-corruption Advisor. The Expert is expected to closely cooperate with the Chief Finance and Operations Officer and Chief Program and Communications Officer to ensure compliance with RAI and donor rules and regulations as well as with the Project Officer.

All deliverables should be submitted to the Senior Anti-corruption Advisor. The deliverables should be written in English in a concise and user-friendly language. Deliverables must be gender mainstreamed.

The Expert should ensure internal quality control during the implementing and reporting phase of the assignment. The quality control should prove that the deliverables comply with the above requirements and meet adequate quality standards before sending them to RAI Secretariat. The

using them. Characteristics of this type of document (tool) are: simplicity, clarity, and applicability by different stakeholders for the specified purpose.

³ Number of total national trainings to be prepared and implemnted will be confirmed by RAI Secretariat during Phase I of the project implementation.

quality control should ensure consistency and coherence between findings and recommendations. It should also ensure that findings reported are duly substantiated and that solutions are supported by relevant judgment criteria.

The Expert will be home-based and travel for purposes of capacity building. It is expected that the selected expert is engaged as soon as possible, not later than November 15, 2024. The Services Agreement shall be signed for the period until April 30, 2027.

The maximum value of the Services Agreement is EUR 36,000.00, encompassing up to 80 consultancy days. The gross daily rate offered is EUR 450.00.

In addition to the above amount, RAI Secretariat shall organize and provide the following:

• Organize and cover travel expenses related to the implementation of above-listed activities;
  • Organize and cover for accommodation related to the implementation of above-listed activities;
  • Organize and cover for, or reimburse for expenses related to local transportation when on official missions related to the implementation of above listed activities;
  • Provide simultaneous/consecutive interpretation for implementation of the above-listed activities, as deemed necessary by RAI Secretariat;
  • Provide a written translation for implementation of the above-listed activities, as deemed necessary by RAI Secretariat.

1. Education:
   1. For Team Leader: University/Bachelor’s degree in law is required (alternatively University/Bachelor’s degree in public administration or a similar field supported by relevant experience in corruption risk assessment and corruption proofing of legislation may be accepted).
   1. For other team members: University/Bachelor’s degree in related field supported by relevant work experience

1. Experience and skills:
   1. Proven record of expert knowledge in the area of anti-corruption;
   1. At least 5 years of professional experience in corruption risk assessment;
   1. At least 5 years of professional experience in corruption proofing of legislation;
   1. Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing corruption risk assessment and corruption of proofing of legislation tools in the public sector institutions;
   1. Demonstrated experience in environment area will be considered as an advantage;
   1. Demonstrated experience in working with different stakeholders: government institutions, public officials, international organizations, and civil society in the Western Balkans region;

• Expert-level experience working with international organizations or bodies with anticorruption competencies;
  • Demonstrated experience in the development of training materials and educational tools, as well as in the delivery of training and assessing the impact of the trainings;
  • Demonstrated analytical skills for producing clearly formulated and well-argued assessment reports or similar papers;
  • Familiarity with the political, social, economic and security landscape in Western Balkans;
  • Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other language(s) of the region will be considered an advantage.
• Values:
  • Demonstrates integrity, fairness and high ethical standards.
  • Demonstrates professional competency and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
  • Displays sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, nationality, race, religion and age.
• Competencies:

• Ability to develop and maintain partnerships, internally and outside the organization;
  • Be able to act proactively and to respond positively, creatively, and constructively to changing situations and new demands;
  • Have strong organizational skills and be capable of initiative and innovation;
  • Work well independently and in teams to achieve collective goals through active participation;
  • Ability to integrate gender mainstreaming and human rights policies.

Eligibility – Consortia of two or more physical persons or a legal entity represented by a group of individuals.

Interested applicants must submit the following documents/information in English to demonstrate their qualifications:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) of every Consortium member,
  • Cover Letter defining the Team leader and roles and tasks of other Consortium members. Cover letter should also include details on how internal quality control would be conducted, as well as the mitigation measures in case of changes within consortium.
  • Samples of relevant previous work of individuals or as a consortium, and a list of completed assignments of similar nature (sent via email or as a link to Google Drive, Dropbox, etc)
  • Information on availability/commencement date.
  • Signed Declaration of Honor (Annex I of this Open Call)
  • In case the applicant is a Legal Entity, they must supply the Signed Statement of Exclusion (Annex II of this Open Call)

• In case the applicant is a group of physical persons, they must supply the Consortium statement (Annex III of this Open Call)

The Team Leader should meet the Education Criteria and minimum experience criteria (at least 5 years of professional experience in CRA or CPL). Other requirements not met by the Team Leader should be met by other team members.

RAI applies a fair and transparent selection process that takes into account both the technical qualification of the potential consultants as well as the performance at the interview. Candidate applications will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicant’s education, qualifications and experience. The contract will be offered to the applicant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as responsive/compliant/acceptable, and having received the highest score during the evaluation based on the criteria defined below.

The top 3 applicants (with highest number of points in the technical evaluation) will be invited for an online interview. The Team Leader’s presence at the interview will be mandatory, while other team members may join.

Evaluation criteria

• Technical evaluation (documents-based) – 60%:

• Education – qualifying criteria (no points to be allocated);
  • Proven record of expert knowledge in the area of anti-corruption – qualifying criteria (no points to be allocated);
  • At least 5 years of professional experience in corruption risk assessment and corruption proofing of legislation, (no points to be allocated);
  • Demonstrated experience in developing corruption risk assessment and corruption proofing of legislation tools (substantiated by published papers, reports, etc.): 25%
  • Demonstrated experience in the development of training materials and educational tools, as well as in the delivery of training and assessing the impact of the trainings: 10%
  • Demonstrated analytical skills for producing clearly formulated and well-argued assessment reports or similar papers: 10%
  • Demonstrated experience in environment area: 5%
  • Expert-level experience working with international organizations or bodies with anti- corruption competencies: 5%
  • Familiarity with the political, social, economic and security landscape in South East Europe: 5%.

Potential applicants may send in questions. Questions shall be sent in English no later than five

(5) days before the submission deadline to vacancy@rai-see.org. Answers will be provided no later than three (3) days before the deadline for submission. All questions received and related answers will be published on the RAI website in order to give fair, transparent and equal treatment to all applicants. Information on senders will not be disclosed.

Full applications with supporting documents shall be sent by midnight of October 15 2024 (23:59 CET) by email to RAI Secretariat (vacancy@rai-see.org).

Consultancy Title needs to be indicated in the email subject line.

Late and incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration. Only the candidates who are shortlisted will be invited for an interview.

RAI is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Qualified women, individuals from minority groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Declaration on Honor/Certification

Hereby, I, the undersigned, certify that

• all information contained in this application is correct to the best of my knowledgeand that I am aware of the content of the annexes to the application;
• I am not under formal investigation, nor had I been sanctioned by any national authority for engaging or having engaged in proscribed practices, including but not limited to: corruption, fraud, coercion, collusion, obstruction, or any other unethical practice;
• I read the RAI Code of Conduct⁴ and will abide by it during the implementation of the Service Agreement;
• understand that if I provide incorrect information or withhold relevant information, I am likely to be suspended from the tender procedure;
• understand and accept to sign the Service Agreement with RAI Secretariat and accept the responsibility for its implementation.

By signing this declaration on honor, I accept all the conditions set out in the call under which I apply.