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Background and focus of study

In November 2012, UNDP and UNODC, in collaboration with the Corruption Eradication Commission of Indonesia, organised a meeting in Jakarta that brought together around 50 experts including more than a dozen current and former heads of ACAs from across the world (and U4’s future adviser Sofie Schuette) to develop a set of basic standards to guide the establishment and operations of ACAs. The result was the Jakarta Statement on Principles for Anti-Corruption Agencies (PDF), which includes 16 principles (the Jakarta Principles) that provide detailed guidance on conditions for ACAs to have the “necessary independence”.

The International Association of ACAs endorsed the Jakarta Statement at its 2013 annual conference in Panama. It was also noted by the Conference of the States Parties to the UNCAC in Resolution 5/4, entitled ‘Follow-up to the Marrakech declaration on the prevention of corruption’ in 2013 and in Resolution 7/5, entitled ‘Promoting preventive measures against corruption’, in 2017.

The Jakarta Principles are normative principles based on experience and good practice, but there has never been empirical research to test whether compliance with the principles – in their totality or individual principles – is related to the effectiveness or performance of ACAs. However, as part of the Colombo commentary, a simple compliance checklist was developed which can be utilised by a knowledgeable internal or external expert relatively easily.

The proposal to systematically review the effectiveness of compliance with the Jakarta Principles, was one outcome and recommendation of the expert meeting on ACA performance of IACA’s Global Programme on Measuring Corruption in summer 2023 (Schütte, Ceballos, & David-Barrett, 2023). With this study, we aim to take a first step in that direction, by first assessing simple compliance of ACAs around the world with the Jakarta Principles using the Colombo checklist.

In a second phase, we will study whether there are any correlations between compliance levels and corruption levels in the country as measured by global and national surveys. This, of course, can only be a very approximate measure, the value of which may be more with the identification of compliance levels and particular principles that are least/ most complied with, than direct attribution of all or specific principles to performance. For more accurate and direct attribution of effectiveness to compliance with particular principles, we will conduct deeper research into several cases of changes in compliance over time, seeking to identify the effect the change had on performance using a raft of more precise local indicators and interviews.

The main objective of this first phase study is to compile information on compliance levels with the Jakarta Principles in 2024. The objective is to have an overview of compliance levels with the 16 principles across at least 50 agencies globally, with key findings to be published by the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource centre and the Centre for the Study of Corruption.

Deliverables

1. Adaptation of the Colombo checklist and development of grading scheme to finalise methodology (in close consultation with U4 senior adviser for justice sector).
2. Review based on desk research and, where necessary, interviews of at least 50 dedicated anti-corruption authorities’ compliance with the Jakarta principles. Sample to be selected from countries around the world with a view to being representative of all populated continents, different political regimes and different levels of economic development. Data shall be recorded per agency but be presented as an overview across the 16 principles, and sources should be logged. The consultant shall also take note of information available about/ indicating changes in compliance, i.e. through legislative changes, during the last five years.
3. Summary of key findings (2–4 pages), to include descriptive summary of the data and emerging trends.

Methodological approach

Data collection will be based on the compliance checklist in the Colombo commentary. Compliance should be graded based on desk review of statutes, academic and grey literature, reports and documents and, when required, interviews with key staff of ACA authorities and associations. Results shall be sent to ACA for verification.

Qualifications of the consultant

• Substantial knowledge of the literature on anti-corruption agencies
• Desirable: direct working experience with an anti-corruption agency
• Demonstrated experience with structuring and conducting desk-based research, managing the logistics of and conducting interviews, as well as legal data analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to produce clearly written, focused analysis and well-substantiated recommendations based on that analysis.

How to apply

E-mail address
Please send your application/proposal electronically to u4@cmi.no

E-mail subject line
Please set thee-mail subject to: Study on Jakarta Principles

Deadline
Please send your application/proposal on or before 15 August 2024.

Documents
We will only consider applications that contain all of the following documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae with two (2) references and a list of similar assignments undertaken.
2. A cover letter detailing relevant experience and interest in the role.
3. Technical and budget proposal (with all-inclusive consultants’ fees), with a clear methodological approach and basic work plan.
4. Sample of a relevant text written by the applicant.

Timeline and milestones

Data collection and protection

The consultant may conduct follow-up correspondence or talk with relevant ACA staff where clarification/verification of data is required.

The research follows a do-no-harm policy, caring about not divulging confidential information and avoiding any disruption of work for interviewees. It respects the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ensuring respect for personal privacy, the voluntary basis for participation and the right for participants to access data.

About CMI and U4

The Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI) is an independent multi-disciplinary development research institute in Norway addressing issues that shape global development and generating knowledge to fight poverty, advance human rights, and promote sustainable social development.

The U4 Anti‐Corruption Resource Centre (U4) was established at CMI in 2002 to promote a better understanding of anti‐corruption issues and approaches to international development. At U4, we work to reduce the harmful impact of corruption on society by sharing research and evidence to help international development actors get sustainable results. We communicate practical entry points for countering corruption – through dialogue, publications, online training, workshops, and a helpdesk.

About the Centre for the Study of Corruption

The research is being conducted in partnership with the Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC). The CSC was established in 2011 and is located within one of the world’s leading research universities, the University of Sussex. It is a world-leading academic centre dedicated to objective and independent interdisciplinary research, policy impact and teaching on corruption and anti-corruption measures. The CSC uses world class innovative academic approaches to understand and track the nature of corrupt practices, as well as to test the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures.

Questions?

Please send any questions you may have to the coordinating CMI–U4 Senior Adviser for this consultancy assignment:

Dr. Sofie Schuette, sofie.schuette@cmi.no

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