Koordinator*in für Forschung und Politik, korrupte Geldströme (m/w/d)

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Transparency International Secretariat is currently seeking a Research Coordinator to conduct and coordinate research to support TI’s strategic priority of combatting corrupt money flows. The Research Coordinator will more specifically contribute to a project focused on advancing this agenda in the European Union’s (EU) Southern Neighbourhood (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Israel).

The “Transparency Now: Strengthening Anti-Corruption Efforts in the EU Southern Neighbourhood” project is funded by the European Commission and implemented jointly with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). It aims at strengthening the prevention, reporting, investigation and prosecution of acts of cross-border corruption, facilitating the seizure and confiscation of assets and supporting the establishment of effective asset recovery mechanisms in the EU Southern Neighbourhood countries.

As part of this agenda, the Research Coordinator will be responsible for compiling a report on preventing and prosecuting cross-border corruption and improving the seizure and confiscation of assets linked to corruption with the view to providing recommendations for policy change in the EU Southern Neighbourhood.

They will also provide expert technical advice to policymakers in drafting of policies aimed at preventing acts of corruption such as policies to incentivise ethical conduct and the reporting of corruption, policies to strengthen administrative sanctions against those involved in unethical conduct, policies on strengthening financial disclosure systems, as well as the sanctioning mechanisms.

The role requires a highly motivated researcher with expertise in anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and illicit financial flows to

(1) conduct and coordinate research activities on cross-border corruption, asset recovery and illicit financial flows,

(2) provide technical advice and

(3) support the development of policy recommendations and the dissemination of findings in relevant fora to meet the objectives of the project.

The Research and Policy Coordinator will also support the establishment of dialogue spaces within the TI Movement and with relevant partners to exchange knowledge, solutions and good practices related to anti-corruption, illicit financial flows, asset recovery and their connection with inequality reduction in the target region.

The position is currently estimated to start in June 2024 for 18 months.

IMPORTANT: This project proposal has been invited for grant preparation, so is in pre-approval stage with the donor. The confirmed funding and actual start date for this role is therefore still subject to final, formal contracting.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES OF THE ROLE

• Based in the Research and Knowledge Team, and in close collaboration with the Policy and Advocacy and Global Movement teams, the Research Coordinator will:
• Provide thematic support to chapters involved in the project to generate evidence on cross-border corruption, illicit financial flows and asset recovery in the targeted countries.
• Contribute to the development of knowledge materials, tools and methodologies to meet the objectives of the project, including providing research and policy support to local CSOs related to cross-border corruption, illicit financial flows and asset recovery.
• Undertake and coordinate cross-country research as needed and develop knowledge materials, including providing quality control of the research outputs.
• Support the development of policy positions on issues related to cross-border corruption and corrupt money flows.
• Write blogs and produce evidence needed for advocacy campaigns and communications activities.
• Establish and/or nurture spaces for exchange and dialogues within the TI Movement and with external partners on issues related to cross-border corruption, illicit financial flows and asset recovery.
• Generate ideas, develop concept notes/proposals and undertake activities to advance the objectives of the project and TI’s agenda on corrupt money flows
• Contribute to day-to-day work implementation, including work planning, budget management, monitoring and
• reporting, ensuring that all phases are consistent with the design and delivery schedule and internal processes and
• procedures.
• Stay abreast of developments relating to the area of work and be available to respond to on-demand internal and
• external stakeholder needs.
• Represent the organisation at relevant fora within area of expertise as needed; build relationships and form alliances with external counterparts, communities of practice and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the overall work of the Dirty Money strategic objective.
• Contribute to the overall functioning of the Research and Knowledge team by providing proactive and ad hoc support where necessary.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

In order to succeed in this role, candidates will need to meet the following:

• Masters degree [ER1] or equivalent in a relevant field of the social sciences, such as political science, sociology, economics, public administration or a related field, with an academic emphasis on research
• 5+ years of relevant professional experience, preferably with an international NGO or an international organisation
• Extensive knowledge and expertise of anti-corruption required, with demonstrated research/policy experience in anti-money laundering and illicit financial flows
• Strong knowledge and experience in policy-relevant research design, development of tools and methodologies
• Substantive experience in research coordination in a multi-country/international setting
• Exposure to policy development[ER2] and advocacy an advantage
•  [ER3] Extensive knowledge and expertise on anti-corruption, with demonstrated research/policy experience in anti-money laundering and illicit financial flows
• Regional expertise on the EU Southern Neighbourhood an advantage
•  Demonstrated project management skills with strong organisational skills and the ability to successfully manage priorities in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and delivering to tight timelines
• Solid writing, editing and communication skills
• Professional language proficiency in English required, Arabic strong advantage
• Ability to work in a team as well as independently, particularly at distance communication
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork and intercultural communication skills, particularly at distance communication
• Commitment to the values and principles of Transparency International