Consultant (corruption in the health sector in Southeast Asia)

Result of Service The overall purpose of the assignment is to produce a report on the potential institutional deficiencies at the national level in three countries in The Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia, allowing corrupt practices in the procurement of PPEs and other medical equipment with a particular focus on equipment related to the response to the covid-19 pandemic. The study will center on procurements at both the national and an institutional level. The study will analyze the regulatory framework and its effective implementation with regards to best practices regarding the mitigation of corruption risks in (global) health crises. The study will not look at corruption risks in the supply chain or distribution of medical goods or the delivery of medical services. The study will include the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, as far as information becomes available and the procurement is not managed through the COVAX Facility. The consultant is expected to conduct a desk review of the regulatory frameworks, a review of past corruption cases in the health sector as well as a series of (online) consultations with the anti-corruption authorities, law enforcement authorities, auditors, health services and other relevant oversight institutions in the three selected countries.

Specific outputs to be performed by the consultant:

The consultant will produce a report on the impact of corruption in procurement and contracting in the health sector in The Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia, on the basis of the methodological approach already developed by the UNODC. The report will: - Identify potential deficiencies in the regulatory framework governing public procurement of medical goods and services in the response of Malaysia to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; - Identify potential deficiencies in the implementation of said regulatory framework; - Formulate specific recommendations to strengthen effective corruption risk mitigation while ensuring Malaysia`s effective response to the pandemic.

Expected tangible and measurable output(s)/deliverable(s):

• Three draft country reports (min 10 pages each)
• Finalized report including comparative analysis (min 30 pages)

Deliverable / Output / Working Days / To be accomplished by (date)

A. Three draft country reports (min 10 pages each) (36 Days / 15 February 2021) B. Finalized report including comparative analysis (min 30 pages) (20 Days/31 March 2022)

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration December 2021 to March 2022 (56 working days)

Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is the global leader in the fight against drugs, organized crime, corruption and terrorism with widely recognized expertise and specialization on issues pertaining to international cooperation in criminal matters. Established in 1997 through a merger between the United Nations Drug Control Programme and the Centre for International Crime Prevention, UNODC operates in all regions of the world through an extensive network of field offices. The work of UNODC is guided by a broad range of international legally binding instruments and a set of United Nations standards and norms on crime prevention and criminal justice.

UNODC, as guardian of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and secretariat to the Conference of the States Parties to the Convention, has the mandate to provide support and technical assistance to States parties to effectively implement the Convention. The backbone for UNODC anti-corruption work is the normative framework provided by UNCAC.

The health sector might be most vulnerable to bribery, fraud and corruption during the Covid-19 pandemic. Different types corruption in health sector are related to the pandemic – from bribery and facilitation payments to the overburdened medical personnel in order to get faster access to medical facilities, test or to avoid quarantine rules; fraud related to fake, falsified or substandard health care products and medicines; corruption and conflict of interest related to research and development of new drugs and vaccine; to fraud related to fake or overpriced urgent protective equipment (i.e. masks, gloves, etc.); low quality of medical equipment due to the lack of monitoring and oversight of simplified procurement processes, etc. Oversight, monitoring and law enforcement mechanisms should be improved or developed in relation to all these risks.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, public administration or 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. Experience: A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in public procurement, audit, other oversight, or compliance functions is required. Experience working in a health service is desirable. A certificate of auditor is desirable. Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English, with excellent drafting and communication skills, is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations 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.