Project Management Support - Specialist for Mainstreaming Anti-corruption in Clusters/Chapters (retainer position)

The Project “Support to European Integration of North Macedonia” is designed to support North Macedonia's accession negotiations and successful management of the overall European Union (EU) integration process. The Project is funded by Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Swiss Government through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Ministry for European Affairs and implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

This Project will strengthen the capacities of national institutions supporting the EU accession through provision of TA and capacity building to the Government Coordination Mechanism for Accession Negotiation. Support will facilitate effective alignment of national legislation with the EU acquis and its implementation, while at the same time facilitating engagement and contributions form relevant stakeholders, and exchange of experiences and cooperation with the EU Member States and countries from the region.

The Project will strengthen the capacities of the Ministry for European Affairs (MEA) and will support the progress in fulfilment of Fundamentals Cluster requirements, finalisation of  screening reports and transposition of the EU Acquis in the national legislation. 

The EC 2023 Progress Report on North Macedonia noted that the country continued its efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, and is in between some and moderate level of preparation in the prevention and fight against corruption. No progress was made. Corruption remains prevalent in many areas and is an issue of concern. The legislative framework is largely complete and the institutional set-up is in place. However a good track record on anti-corruption remains a challenge for the country, particularly in respect of the accession negotiations process. The EC Report calls on North Macedonia to continue to increase the track record of corruption cases, increase support to the bodies responsible for implementing the national strategy for the prevention of corruption and conflict of interest and, in the context of EU integrations, risk assessment of sectors most vulnerable to corruption and dedicated action. 

With the new accession methodology and the Negotiating Framework for North Macedonia approved in July 2022, anti-corruption policies will be mainstreamed throughout all relevant chapters. As part of the screening process, during the bilateral screenings North Macedonia was requested to present the state of play in fighting the corruption and corruption risks for each chapter and to present the plans for further strengthening of the legal and institutional framework and ensuring systematic and efficient enforcement. Furthermore,   anti-corruption mainstreaming will be introduced in other strategic documents and action plans addressing the requirements of the screening process and the EU negotiation process (Roadmap on Rule of Law, Reform Agenda etc).

Through implementation of priority actions, the Project will strengthen the capacity of the office of Deputy President of the Government in Charge for Good Governance Policies to mainstream anti-corruption in sectors and chapters, while following the requirements linked to EU accession. In addition to TA, this result will enable identification of the most vulnerable sectors and identification of mitigation measures and development of a model to track anti-corruption cases, while strongly advocating and promoting anti-corruption and integrity.

Within the duration of the assignment, the Project Management Support (PMS) Specialist is expected to support the office of Deputy President of the Government in Charge for Good Governance (GG) Policies to effectively mainstream anti corruption in chapters that hold defined elements related to anti-corruption, as linked to the EU acquis and in line with the Negotiation Framework.

Specifically, under direct supervision and guidance of the Project Manager the PMS Specialist will provide technical expertise to the MEA and the Cabinet of Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) for Good Governance policies to address accession negotiation requirements on mainstreaming anti corruption in line with the Guidelines/Methodology for mainstreaming anticorruption in different chapters/clusters, identify gaps and opportunities, provide capacity building, as well as provide recommendations for mainstreaming anti corruption in compliance with the requirements of the EU accession negotiation process. The PMS Specialist is also expected to contribute to strengthening the capacities of the Ministry for European Affairs (MEA) and the Cabinet of DPM for GG policies through provision of capacity building activities in the area of anticorruption.

In particular, the PMS Specialist will undertake following activities/responsibilities:

• Support the operationalization and piloting of the anti-corruption mainstreaming guidelines/methodology in selected chapters or sectors.

• Support institutions in applying the methodology in real negotiation documents (screening reports, negotiation positions, sector action plans).

• Monitor initial application of the guidelines/methodology and refine tools based on feedback.

• Facilitate coordination between MEA, the Cabinet of the DPM for GG, and sectoral institutions.

• Provide expert advice to MEA and the DPM for GG in the process of drafting negotiations positions and relevant documents in the area of expertise of this ToR, by the request of the beneficiary.

• Provide targeted capacity building and mentoring to key staff.

Education 

• Advanced University Degree preferably in public administration, public policy, political science, law, economics or other relevant discipline is required. University Degree (Bachelor’s degree / first level) with two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Minimum five years of experience working in developing anti-corruption policy/strategy documents and methodologies is required.

• Good understanding of the anti corruption context in North Macedonia, and experience working with government institutions and non-governmental organisations working in the area of intervention is an asset.

• Knowledge on the functioning of the EU Rule of Law Mechanism as well as experience in data collection and track record on corruption and organised crime will be considered as asset

• Experience in the area of anti corruption in one or more Western Balkans countries will be considered an asset

• Experience in capacity building activities in the area covered by TOR is an asset.

• Fluency in English (speaking, reading and writing) is required