Call for Proposals: NIS

Call for Proposals: National Integrity System (NIS) Assessment Lead Researcher in Bangladesh

1. Background

Transparency International (TI) is the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption. Through more than 90 chapters worldwide and an international secretariat in Berlin, Germany, 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 2012, TI has taken up a project to systematically assess the National Integrity System of Bangladesh. This assessment should serve as a basis for key stakeholders in the country to advocate for sustainable and effective reform.

The NIS assessment itself is carried out using a harmonised research and advocacy tool, which provides for a comprehensive overview of the functioning and structure of the main governance institutions in a country. At its core, it establishes a holistic picture of how well the entire governance system in a country is working, as well as identifying specific flaws and providing evidence-based recommendations, which can be used to advocate for reform. Conducting an NIS assessment involves a comprehensive qualitative analysis of the institutions, or pillars of integrity, which make up the national integrity system. These pillars include public institutions such as the legislature, the executive and the judiciary; watchdog institutions such the anti-corruption commission, the ombudsman and the supreme audit institution; and non-state institutions such as political parties, private business and civil society. The lead researcher is responsible for delivery of the key research component of the NIS – the NIS country report.

The NIS methodology envisages a consultative approach and therefore involves key stakeholders throughout the process through a multi-stakeholder advisory group, which provides ongoing validation of the research and through a National Integrity Workshop, held towards the end of the project to discuss and improve the draft report.

The researcher works closely with the Americas department at TI Secretariat, which coordinates the project, facilitates the advisory group meetings, validates the assessment findings and advises the researcher on presenting appropriate recommendations. The researcher also works with the Policy and Research department at the TI Secretariat, which provides ongoing technical assistance on applying the methodology in the country.

2. Objectives

The project’s key objectives are to generate:

a) An improved understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of Bangladesh´s National Integrity System within the anti-corruption community and beyond;

b) Momentum among key anti-corruption stakeholders in Bangladesh for addressing priority areas in the National Integrity System.

3. Scope of Services

The primary tasks of the NIS researcher are to:

1. Prepare for and attend the project kick-off and training workshop

2. Research, write and deliver the NIS report and provide NIS scores within the agreed timetable and based on the standards laid out in the NIS toolkit

3. Participate in monthly progress calls with TI-S Bangladesh NIS project team

4. Revise draft NIS report based on feedback from the advisory group, TI-s, and external peer reviewers.

5. Identify and conduct interviews with key individuals and organisations (at least two interviews per pillar – one external expert and one official from the relevant institution), after consulting with the advisory group and TIS.

6. Participate in validation meetings and NIS workshop

7. Contribute to promotional events surrounding the launch of the NIS report

8. Hire, oversee and coordinate assistant researchers as needed to ensure timely, high-quality results and outputs.

4. Outputs

Based on the scope of services and following the NIS toolkit, the consultant will submit a final draft NIS country report as the ultimate output under this contract. Intermediate outputs are specified in the timeline below.

5. Knowledge, experience and skills required and desirable for the position of NIS lead researcher.

1. Relevant background in political science, public administration, law or another related social science discipline (required)

2. Proven expertise in political-institutional analysis, with particularly strong knowledge of the country’s governance system (required)

3. Excellent understanding of the legal framework and actual practice of the country’s major governance institutions (required)

4. Familiarity with transparency, accountability and anti-corruption discourse (required)

5. Proven ability to write succinctly and for a non-academic audience (required)

6. Proven commitment to practical policy reform and evidence-based advocacy in the field of anti-corruption and good governance (required)

7. Fluency in English, written and verbal (required)

8. Experience in working with/applying quantitative indicators and rating methodologies (highly desirable).

6. Timeline & Reporting

The consultant will complete the tasks according to the following timeline. In conducting his/her work, s/he will report to Zoë Reiter, Regional Programme Manager.

* Please note the timeline is indicative, with the concrete dates to be confirmed after the Initial kick-off meeting.

7. How to Apply:

Proposals should be submitted by email to 'rhalder@ti-bangladesh.org' by 8 May 2012 indicating “Bangladesh NIS Consultancy” in the subject line. The proposal should be not more than 5 pages, and cover the following:

• The consultant’s understanding of the assignment

• The consultant’s proposed approach to the assignment

• A summary of relevant experience (attaching brief CV[s] of the proposed consultant[s]), providing evidence that the consultant(s) is (are) qualified to undertake this assignment

• At least two examples of similar assignments having been undertaken by the consultant(s) in relevant regions (preferably the Caribbean), over the past 5 years

• Timescales and Proposed Charges (including estimates of consulting days and expenses).

• Two relevant references

• Demonstrated fluency in English and Dutch (written and spoken).

8. Engagement of other researcher

The researcher may engage co-researcher or associate researcher/s in the work. Such researchers may be included in the proposal for the purpose of estimating the number of days to be spent on the work. However, TIB shall sign the consultant contract only with the researcher.

9. Language

Applications must be in English. Only short listed consultants will be contacted.

10. Award of contract

The contract will be awarded on the basis of quality plus cost. The application should state the bid amount (in taka) for undertaking the study, detailing costs and with estimation as to the number of days that will be spent on the work.

11. Rejection of applications/negotiations

TI retains the right to reject any or all of the applications and/ or to enter into additional negotiations with one or more of the tendering parties to help define the exact scope of work and deliverables to be undertaken.

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