Sectoral expert to provide support to the National Agency on Corruption Prevention in enhancing the methodology for assessing corruption risks in the defence sector

General background

The EUACI is a collaborative initiative funded by the European Union and the Government of Denmark, with the aim of supporting Ukraine in its efforts to reduce corruption at both national and local levels. The new phase, launched in January 2024, focuses on key strategic objectives: reducing corruption in Ukraine, advancing anticorruption reforms, and implementing reconstruction efforts in war-affected areas with a strong emphasis on transparency, accountability, and integrity.

The EUACI is implementing the project “Enhancing Integrity in the Defence Sector” with funding from, the European Union’s Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) (hereinafter – EUACI Defence Program).

One of the beneficiaries of the EUACI Defence Program is the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (hereinafter – NACP, National Agency).

In particular, the National Agency participates in the implementation of flagship projects under the NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine, including the Strategic Review of Ukraine’s Defense Procurement System and the implementation of NATO’s Initial Interoperability Requirements for Ukraine. In this context, NACP has been designated responsible for the overall coordination of state bodies in implementing tasks under Interoperability Objective 0204 “Integrity Building” of NATO’s Initial Interoperability Requirements for Ukraine.

This requirement includes recommendations on integrity building through ensuring an adequate level of awareness among representatives of security and defense sector bodies regarding the implementation of ethical standards, ensuring transparency in human capital management processes, etc.

To properly implement the tasks defined by Initial Requirement 0204 and introduce a unified approach within security and defense sector bodies, the NACP developed a Unified Action Plan for the implementation of the tasks under Requirement 0204. This plan was prepared taking into account proposals from the security and defense sector bodies and was agreed upon during a joint meeting.

One of the tasks defined by NATO Interoperability Requirement 0204 “Integrity Building” is: “To institutionalize a risk assessment approach for integrity development and corruption prevention by developing a corruption risk management system within all security and defense sector institutions and a risk assessment strategy, including a risk register to be regularly updated based on corruption risk analysis and accumulated experience.”

Within the above-mentioned activity NACP has defined a key performance indicator as follows: “The Corruption Risk Management Methodology (the current version was officially adopted by NACP Order No. 830/21 dated 18 December 2021) contains a clear system for managing corruption risks within security and defense sector bodies and an effective risk assessment strategy. A consistent and practical algorithm for updating the corruption risk register is developed, based on corruption risk analysis and accumulated experience”.

In this regard, to ensure the effective implementation of Requirement 0204, there is a need to engage support aimed at revising and enhancing the corruption risk management methodology in the security and defence sector. This includes, inter alia, the development of a research study on good practices in this field, as well as the organisation of roundtables and discussions to consolidate inputs and develop joint proposals.

The current version of Methodology was officially adopted by NACP Order No. 830/21 dated 18 December 2021. However, its practical application by public defence institutions – including the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Border Guard Service, etc., and state-owned enterprises in the defence sector – has revealed a number of challenges.

In particular, certain provisions of the methodology have proven difficult or, in some cases, impossible to implement due to objective constraints, which has created practical obstacles and reduced its overall effectiveness. In addition, the methodology does not adequately reflect the specifics of the functioning of the sector under martial law conditions, which further affects its relevance and applicability.

Objective

The objective of this assignment is to provide comprehensive expert support to the NACP in reviewing and enhancing the existing corruption risk assessment and management methodology for the security and defence sector, in line with international good practices, NATO requirements and standards, and the specific institutional context of Ukraine.

The assignment aims to support the development of a unified, practical, and implementable approach to corruption risk assessment across security and defence sector institutions, including strengthening methodological guidance, integrating risk-based approaches into anti-corruption programmes, and ensuring alignment with NATO Interoperability Requirement 0204 “Integrity Building”.

Specific objectives

For the purpose of ensuring the effective implementation of this assignment, the following specific objectives are to be achieved:

• To conduct a comprehensive analysis of the existing corruption risk management methodology applied in the security and defence sector, identifying key gaps, inconsistencies, and practical implementation challenges;
• To review relevant international standards and good practices in corruption risk assessment and integrity building, including NATO, OECD, and EU approaches, and assess their applicability to the Ukrainian context;
• To develop well-founded and practical recommendations for improving the corruption risk assessment and management methodology, tailored to the specific needs and operational realities of security and defence sector institutions;
• To support the development of a unified, coherent, and implementable approach to corruption risk identification, assessment, and mitigation, including the use of risk registers and monitoring mechanisms;
• To facilitate structured consultations with key stakeholders in order to identify additional gaps, inconsistencies, and practical constraints in the application of the methodology, and to ensure that the proposed updates are aligned with the needs, operational realities, and practical experience of security and defence sector institutions.
• To contribute to the effective implementation of NATO Interoperability Requirement 0204 “Integrity Building” and the measures defined in the Unified Action Plan.

Scope of work

The assignment is expected to include the following key tasks:

1. Development a good practice research paper (guidance, toolkit, etc.) on corruption risk assessment methodology for the defence and security sector

The task line shall include, but not be limited to:

• Conceptualisation of the paper in close coordination with the NACP and relevant stakeholders, including initial consultations and background review;
• Desk research and literature review of international standards and practices (including NATO, OECD, EU frameworks);
• Conducting virtual interviews with selected stakeholders and subject-matter experts (estimated up to 5 interviews) to collect practical insights and identify implementation challenges;
• Preparation of a draft research paper (approximately 8,000–10,000 words) containing analysis, comparative review, and practical recommendations for improving the current methodology;
• Incorporation of feedback based on the first round of comments and review;
• Finalisation of the paper following the second round of comments and review.

2. Stakeholder consultation workshops

The Service Provider shall provide expert support for the organisation of two-rounds stakeholder consultation workshops aimed at strengthening the practical skills of defence sector representatives (in particular, anti-corruption officers and members of corruption risk assessment working groups within defence and security public institutions) in conducting corruption risk assessments, in the context of the research findings, validating the proposed recommendations, and collecting stakeholder input for the further refinement of the methodology.

The stakeholder consultation process shall include the following two rounds:

Workshop 1: Sector-focused institutional consultation

The first workshop shall be organised with the participation of authorised representatives of security and defence sector public institutions only.

The purpose of this workshop shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

• facilitate an in-depth discussion of practical challenges, limitations, and institutional barriers related to the application of the current corruption risk assessment methodology;
• collect sector-specific feedback and practical experience from institutions responsible for implementing corruption risk management measures;
• strengthen institutional understanding and practical capacity related to corruption risk identification and assessment in the security and defence sector;
• identify additional needs, implementation constraints, and practical considerations to be reflected in the proposed methodology improvements.

Workshop 2: International expert consultation

The second workshop shall be organised as a professional consultative discussion involving international experts, including experts proposed by the Service Provider, as appropriate.

The purpose of this workshop shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

• discuss relevant international good practices, standards, and approaches to corruption risk assessment and integrity building in the security and defence sector;
• facilitate exchange of professional experience, comparative perspectives, and expert views;
• discuss and validate the preliminary recommendations developed by the Expert for improving the existing methodology;
• ensure that the proposed methodology enhancements are informed by relevant international expertise and good practice.

The task line for an Expert shall include, but not be limited to:

• development of the workshops concept, agenda, and discussion structure;
• preparation of workshop materials (including presentations, discussion prompts, worksheets, surveys, or other facilitation tools, as relevant);
• contribution to the identification of relevant stakeholders and participants, where required;
• expert participation in the workshop, including presentation of findings, and provision of substantive input;
• preparation of a summary notes or workshop report capturing key discussion points, stakeholder feedback, and agreed recommendations.

Note: The stakeholder consultation workshops will be led by the NACP. Administrative, organisational, and logistical arrangements for the workshop (including invitations, translation, venue, catering, and participant coordination) will be the responsibility of both the NACP and the EUACI or another designated party.

3. Supporting and coordination activities (additionally)

Throughout the assignment, the Service Provider shall ensure close coordination with the NACP and EUACI (where needed), including:

• regular consultations and coordination meetings, as required;
• timely communication on progress, risks, or issues affecting delivery;
• incorporation of stakeholder feedback into deliverables;
• provision of clarifications, expert input, and ad hoc consultations reasonably related to the scope and objectives of the assignment.

Expected deliverables and timeline

The Service Provider is expected to deliver the following outputs within the tentative timeline:

Requirements for the Service Provider

Eligibility

• The Service Provider may be a legal entity, a private entrepreneur, or a private individual (in the case of non-residents of Ukraine), or a team thereof, officially registered in their respective country and legally authorised to provide the relevant services. In the case of a team, the contract may be concluded with one lead contractor.
• Fluency in Ukrainian (written and spoken) is mandatory.

Education background

The Service Provider (or proposed lead expert, if applicable) should possess:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or higher) in public policy, law, political science, international relations, security and defence studies, public administration, economics, or another relevant field;
• Additional academic or professional specialisation related to anti-corruption, governance, defence policy, public procurement, risk management, or integrity building will be considered an advantage;
• Demonstrated professional or academic engagement in areas relevant to the assignment.

Professional experience

The Service Provider (company or individual expert) shall demonstrate:

1. At least 7 years of proven expertise in anti-corruption policy, integrity building, corruption risk assessment, or governance reforms;

2. Strong understanding of the security and defence sector, including institutional, regulatory, and operational specificities;

3. Demonstrated experience in analytical and research work related to defence, public governance, public procurement, or institutional reform;

4. Familiarity with international standards and approaches relevant to integrity building and corruption risk management, including NATO, OECD, EU, or comparable frameworks;

5. Proven experience in preparing high-quality analytical papers, policy recommendations, practical and user-oriented methodologies, comparative research or similar expert products using international sources and good practices;

6. Experience in preparing and facilitating stakeholder consultations, expert discussions, workshops, or multi-stakeholder engagements;

7. Capacity to analyse regulatory frameworks, institutional arrangements, and practical implementation challenges;

8. Excellent analytical, drafting, and communication skills;

9. Ability to ensure economic and technical capacities to perform the requested services as well as a relevant legal status to hire experts (if applicable);

10. Capacity to complete the assignment within the specified timeframe and deliver the expected outputs both in Ukrainian and English languages.

11. Compliance and Ethics:

• Adherence to ethical standards and legal requirements.
• Commitment to confidentiality and data security.

Additional assets

The following will be considered an advantage:

• Experience with NATO-related projects, interoperability requirements, or defence governance reforms;
• Academic or professional background in defence policy, defence procurement, capability development, or related fields.

Budget, payment and timeframe

The maximum budget available for this assignment is up to EUR 23 000. The Expert will be contracted as a legal entity, a private entrepreneur, or a private individual (in the case of non-residents of Ukraine) and will be responsible for paying his/her own taxes.

Expenses for administrative, organizational, and logistical arrangements for the workshops are not part of the budget and will be covered by the EUACI separately.

Note that the EUACIas an international technical assistance program is not a VAT payer and will provide all the necessary documents required.

Payment will be made in a maximum of two instalments.

The first instalment, representing a maximum of 30% of the total contract value, will be paid after the signing of the contract upon submission of the corresponding invoice (in English) by the Expert.

The second and final payment will be made upon receipt and approval of the Final Report and a Final Invoice (in English).

The payment will be made in UAH according to the official NBU exchange rate.

The intended commencement date is the date of signature of the contract with the Expert and the period of implementation of the contract will be 7 months, with a tentative start in June 2026.

The assignment can be performed remotely.

How to apply

The deadline for submitting the proposal is 17 June 2026, 18:00 Kyiv time.

All interested candidates should submit the following documents in English:

• The CV (no more than 5 pages long) that should include description of the previous relevant assignments, key duties on this assignment;
• Portfolio of previously implemented projects and outputs relevant to the position or description of assignments and deliverables similar to this project;
• Financial offer in EUR, inclusive of all taxes, applicable charges, and any other costs necessary for the execution of all tasks, indicating the proposed number of working days for the assignment, with a breakdown of working days and the corresponding price for each task/deliverable.

If these documents are not submitted in line with the requirements above, the bid will not be considered.

The proposal shall include the aforementioned information and should be submitted within the above deadline to [email protected] cc to [email protected] indicating the subject line: “Sectoral expert in corruption risk assessment methodology”.

Bidding language: English.

Any clarification questions regarding the terms of reference should be addressed to [email protected], not later than 14 June 2026, 18-00 Kyiv time.

Evaluation criteria

Bids will be evaluated under the criteria provided below: