Consultant – Corruption Risk in prisons

at  United Nations

Result of Service
A • An initial desk review of the corruption risks and risk management in the specific context of prisons is undertaken, including by carrying out a literature review, identifying cases, examples and resources. Based on this research, a draft outline for the publication is developed, for UNODC review. Based on the feedback received, the outline is finalized. B • UNODC is supported in the development of a questionnaire to the UN Member States on their frameworks and experiences related to corruption risks and risk management in prisons, the challenges faced, the identified good practices and opportunities. The responses to the questionnaire are analyzed. C • The draft zero of the publication on corruption risk management in prisons is developed, for UNODC review. Based on the feedback received, the draft zero is finalized. D • A group of 15-20 experts, to be invited to provide inputs to and feedback on the publication, is identified for the consideration of UNODC, keeping in mind geographical and gender balance. The organization of the first meeting of experts in Hong Kong SAR is supported and led. E • By including the feedback received from the experts, a revised version of the draft publication is developed for UNODC review (including also proposals for visual representation for the information such as graphs, tables, etc.). Based on the feedback received, the updated draft is finalized. F • The organization of a second meeting of experts is supported and led virtually, for the purpose of the validation of the publication. Based on the feedback received from the experts, an updated version of the publication is submitted for UNODC review. The publication is finalized based on comments received.
Work Location
Home-based with travel to Hong Kong SAR (26-30 May 2025)
Expected duration
From 3 March to 29 August 2025
Duties and Responsibilities
Background of the assignment: Prisons are particularly vulnerable to acts of corruption. This is due in part to the closed nature of imprisonment, the associated risk of insufficient public scrutiny and the fact that prisons, by definition, hold individuals sentenced for having committed criminal offences, including serious crimes. In addition - and despite their complex, difficult and sometimes dangerous work - prison staff tend to be held in lower regard than other public officials working in the criminal justice system. This often implies lower salaries, less training and fewer career opportunities, as well as difficulties in recruiting qualified staff which, in turn, further increases the risk of corruption taking root in prisons. Corruption in prisons poses a severe security risk to prisoners, prison staff and prison management alike, it further undermines the rule of law and erodes public trust in judicial system. Unsurprisingly, therefore, corruption is often identified as one of the main obstacles to the effective management of prisons and the treatment of prisoners. The risks are further increased if members of organized crime groups or high-risk prisoners manage to come into a position of power and control with respect to prison officials.. Although rare, extreme scenarios have occurred where corrupt officials have abetted coordinated external assaults or escape attempts, posing a significant threat to prison security and endangering both staff and inmates. In 2017, UNODC published Handbook on Anti-Corruption Measures in Prisons, which provides information on origins and manifestations of corruption in prisons and proposes anti-corruption measures for the consideration of the Member States. Further, UNODC has established a leading global position in delivering support to countries to prevent and combat corruption. An important element of UNODC’s corruption prevention work is supporting public sector organizations to identify and manage corruption risks that can weaken and undermine regulatory and enforcement frameworks, prevent them from achieving their mandate, and lead to significant lost revenue, waste of public resources and lack of confidence that stakeholders hold in these organizations. Over the years, UNODC has developed guidance documents on corruption risk management for different sectors in public service. In addition, State of Integrity – A Guide on Conducting Corruption Risk Assessments in Public Organizations provides general guidance on corruption risk management processes. UNODC, with the support of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, and International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA), will develop a publication providing guidance on corruption risk management in the specific context of prisons. The publication will draw from the 2017 Handbook and deepen the analysis of potential risks of corruption in different prison systems. It will further provide concrete tools for corruption risk assessment and management process in the prisons. In this context, UNODC is seeking a consultant who will draft the above-mentioned publication, and undertake research and lead expert consultations to support its development. Purpose of the assignment: The assignment has the following primary purposes: • Undertaking research and expert consultations to support the development of a guide on corruption risk management in prisons. • Drafting of the guide on corruption risk management in prisons. Specific deliverables to be performed by the consultant: Under the supervision of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer (Anti-Corruption), guidance of the Chief of the Thematic Support Section, and in close coordination with relevant UNODC and ICAC colleagues, the consultant will perform the following substantive duties and responsibilities: Deliverable A • Undertake initial desk review of the corruption risks and risk management in the specific context of prisons, including by undertaking literature review, identifying cases, examples and resources. Based on this research, develop a draft outline for the publication for UNODC review. Based on the feedback received, finalize the outline. Deliverable B • Support UNODC in the development of a questionnaire to the UN Member States on their frameworks and experiences related to corruption risks and risk management in prisons, challenges faced, good practices and opportunities identified. Analyze the responses to the questionnaire. Deliverable C • Develop the draft zero of the publication on corruption risk management in prisons for UNODC review. Based on the feedback received, finalize the draft zero. Deliverable D • Identify a group of 15-20 experts to be invited to provide inputs to and feedback on the publication for the consideration of UNODC, keeping in mind geographical and gender balance. Support the organization and lead the first meeting of experts, to take place in Hong Kong, SAR. Deliverable E • By including the feedback received from the experts, develop revised version of the draft publication for UNODC review. Based on the feedback received, finalize the updated draft. Deliverable F • Support the organization and lead the second meeting of experts, to take place virtually, for the purpose of the validation of the publication. Based on the feedback received from the experts, provide updated version of the publication (including also proposals for visual representation for the information) for UNODC review. Finalize the publication based on comments received.
Qualifications/special skills
• An advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in law, social sciences, public administration, economics or closely related field is required. A first level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree; • At least 10 years of work experience in the criminal justice system, anti-corruption authority, civil society organization, or academia, including in-depth understanding of the prison administration/management, is required; • Experience in the field of anti-corruption, transparency, accountability and/or good governance is required; • Experience in research, preferably in the area of criminal justice, is required; • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, are required; • Experience in working and communicating with senior leaders in government is desirable;

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Additional Information
Not available.
No Fee

Please refer the Job description for details