Result of Service

Proposed methodology and work plan for the execution of the study is presented. Draft study report with recommendations and proposed priority interventions is produced. Inputs for the organization of a regional event and/or technical sessions are provided. Final study report, incorporating comments from key stakeholders, is produced. Delivery of targeted technical support packages for each target country. A final report on technical support provided to target countries.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

1 August to 31 December 2026

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Background of the assignment: UNODC is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to provide technical assistance to Member States, upon request, to strengthen their capacity to prevent and counter corruption, financial crime, money laundering and financing of terrorism. UNODC delivers this support by promoting the ratification of international legal instruments, UN Security Council Resolutions and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations; supporting the drafting and review of national legislation in order to incorporate the legal standards of these international legal instruments; supporting efforts to build the capacity of criminal justice institutions; and supporting regional and international cooperation in criminal matters. In line with this mandate, the UNODC Corruption and Financial Crime Hub for Africa was established to strengthen and support UNODC’s field-based infrastructure and global reach, facilitating greater support for reforms through enhanced partnerships and coordinated assistance with other providers, regional bodies, and intergovernmental associations. Resolution 11/7 on Preventing and combating corruption through enhancing transparency in the funding of political parties, candidatures for elected public office, and electoral campaigns was adopted by the Conference of the States Parties to UNCAC in December 2025 and contains several measures to strengthen political finance transparency and accountability. It gives UNODC the mandate to support States in translating these standards into practice, by collecting good practices and lessons learned, developing implementation guidance, facilitating peer exchange, and providing technical assistance to States. The assignment contributes to the project's expected outcomes of (i) enhanced national understanding and uptake of UNCAC Resolution 11/7 on strengthening transparency and accountability in political finance, and (ii) improved legal and institutional frameworks governing political party and campaign financing in target countries. To support these outcomes and maximize the impact of UNODC's assistance, the consultant shall coordinate closely with implementing partners, including International IDEA and IFES, as well as other relevant stakeholders identified by UNODC, to ensure alignment of activities, leverage existing expertise and resources, identify opportunities for collaboration, and avoid duplication of ongoing or planned initiatives related to political finance reforms. In this context, UNODC seeks to engage a Lead Consultant to support its efforts to strengthen political party financing integrity in Africa. 2. Purpose of the assignment: The purpose of this assignment will be to support UNODC in the implementation of UNCAC Resolution 11/7, in line with additional funding received from the Norwegian Agency for Development. The assignment will encompass review of existing legislation, regulations, policies and practices on political party financing and development of recommendations to mitigate corruption and illicit financial flows in political campaign financing in select African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Malawi and Zambia. It will also entail supporting the delivery of training and technical assistance, either online or in-person, to various stakeholders in the aforementioned countries, as well as for other activities UNODC is carrying out under this project. 3. Specific tasks to be performed by the consultant: Within the assigned authority and under the overall guidance of the Africa Anti-Corruption and Financial Crime Hub team lead and direct supervision of the Associate Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, the Lead Consultant will carry out his or her assignment as follows: (a) Conduct a regional study of existing policies and practices on political party and campaign financing, their impact on recent elections and potential impact on upcoming elections in select African countries, including:

Developing a methodology for the study (including questionnaires, counterparts to be consulted, field work etc.);
Undertaking desk research and field work, including consultations with various stakeholders with a view to identifying existing political party financing laws, regulations, institutional mandates, enforcement powers, reporting systems and reform gaps;
Based on the above information, and in consultation with Anti-Corruption and Financial Crime Hub for Africa, develop a study report with recommendations and proposed priority interventions to increase transparency and accountability in political party financing.
Supporting UNODC in the organization of a regional forum and/or technical sessions on political party and campaign financing.
Finalizing the report and recommendations after incorporating comments from key stakeholders. (b) In collaboration with, and guided by, the Corruption and Financial Crime Hub for Africa, provide targeted advisory support to select African countries and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen the development, adoption, implementation and enforcement of political party financing legislation, regulations and reporting, in line with Resolution 11/7, including:
Conducting stakeholder consultations with representatives of Parliament, Electoral Commissions, Anti-Corruption Commissions, Financial Intelligence Units, civil society, youth representatives, and political parties.
Conducting desk reviews of existing legislation and regulations on political party financing.
Leading legislative and regulatory drafting workshops with key stakeholders.
Facilitating inter-agency cooperation to build ownership of, and sustained engagement in, political party financing reforms. 4. Measurable expected tangible and measurable deliverable(s): A. Regional study on political party and campaign financing in select African countries (a) A proposed methodology and workplan for the execution of the regional study. (b) A preliminary draft regional study report with recommendations. (c) Draft concept note, proposed list of participants and proposals for speakers at the regional event and/or technical sessions. (d) A final regional study report, incorporating comments from UNODC and key stakeholders. B. Targeted advisory support to select African countries a) Delivery of targeted technical support packages for each target country. b) Reports from at least three countries including recommendations for legal and institutional framework development, including a summary of stakeholder consultations, legislative reviews, training provided, etc.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in criminology, law, public policy, economics, finance, political science, criminal justice, or other relevant fields of study 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. A minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience in the anti-corruption, governance, rule of law enforcement and/or integrity sector is required Proven experience in electoral integrity, transparency and accountability is required Demonstrable understanding of capacity development/strengthening of the governance and rule of law sector in Africa is required Experience in conducting needs assessments, scoping missions, as well as the development of long/short term programs to build electoral integrity is required Proven ability to work independently as well as within diverse and challenging environments is desirable Proven experience with reporting to senior levels of government on sensitive, confidential, and complex issues of political party financing is desirable Professional expertise in international development co-operation, in areas of integrity, democratic governance assessments is desirable Demonstrated analytical, communication and report writing skills is desirable Ability to interact with governmental agencies, good interpersonal skills, and organizational proficiency is desirable

Languages

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

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Political Party Financing Lead International Consultant