Job Description

TI Z is a non-profit, non-partisan, systems-oriented local chapter of the international movement against corruption. Its broad mandate is to fight corruption and related vices through networks of integrity in line with the Global Strategy. TI Z believes corruption can only be sufficiently tackled by all citizens including people at the grassroots level.

About the call

TI Z is implementing a project together with other chapters in the global movement against corruption focused on "Protecting Public Resources." The partners in this project are implementing this activity with a specific focus on safeguarding the health and education sectors from corruption so that they deliver optimally for women, girls and other groups at risk of discrimination. To contribute to this goal, TI Z is commissioning a study to explore the extent of corruption risks in allocating public resources towards education and healthcare. As one of the initial phases of the public financial management cycle, budget formulation and allocation is a key component for the protection of public resources. However, evidence suggests that undue influence, patronage, clientelism and rent-seeking behaviour threaten equitable and effective allocation of resources. Governments influenced by powerful political interests may prioritise programs or initiatives that align closely with their stakeholders' objectives or personal affiliations, including in specific geographical regions or provinces. When this happens, it typically comes at the expense of women, girls and groups at risk of discrimination or geographic regions that are equally if not more in need of resources.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives

Given the foregoing, the objective of the aforementioned research is to generate evidence on linkages between corruption and discrimination and their impact on the delivery of education and healthcare for women, girls, and other groups at risk of discrimination. The specific area of analysis is the allocation of public resources towards education and healthcare.
Specific objectives guiding the research are as follows:
1. Carry out a mapping of Zimbabwe’s public finance management (PFM) system to assess how education and health budgets are allocated. This would set out in detail how decisions are made and implemented regarding:
- The allocation of education and health funds to the provinces and local level
- The allocation of funds towards certain education and health priorities over others (e.g. disability-accessible infrastructure, mental healthcare, etc.)
2. Based on that mapping, identify evidence of corruption risks in this system, and assess the impact of these corruption risks on:
- People living in specific provinces
- Women, girls and groups at risk of discrimination and their education and health priorities
3. Provide practical recommendations to strengthen budgetary controls and mitigate the impacts of corruption, to guarantee efficient resource allocation on human capital

Data sources

1. Literature review
2. Expert interviews of stakeholders involved in or with an interest in the allocation of public resources to the education and health sectors

Deliverables

The researcher is expected to produce an 8,000-12,000-word, 40–55-page report using the organisation's standard report template.

Timeframe

The anticipated level of effort for the entire process is 30 working days. The consultant deliverables are as follows:
• Planning meeting to review TORs and agree milestones (½ working day)
• Literature review (5 days)
• Data gathering, collation and report writing for the first draft (16 working days)
• Generate recommendations in close collaboration with TI Z (1 working day)
• Internal and external review including plagiarism check (1½ working days)
• Amendments in line with review comments (2 working days)
• Online validation meeting to review preliminary findings (½ working day)
• Production of the second draft using inputs from the validation meeting (1 working day)
• Further review of the second draft by ED (1 working day)
• Research post-mortem meeting (½ day)
• Participation in research launch meeting or policy dialogue (1 working day)

Qualifications and Experience

1. Education

Interested consultants should have a minimum of the following:
• Master's or PhD in Economics/Public Policy/Political Science

2. Technical experience and requirements

• Knowledge of relevant theories (i.e. a solid grasp of public resource allocation, knowledge of Zimbabwe’s domestic budget and resource allocation processes and what constitutes corruption/rent-seeking). Knowledge of public resource allocation to the education and health sectors.
• Demonstrated experience in carrying out expert interviews.
• Familiarity with or demonstrable experience in African contexts (policymaking, policy environments in sub-Saharan Africa)
• Knowledge of and/or proven expertise in public policy, the civil society sector, conducting related assignments and presenting papers
• Written and Visual Storytelling and impeccable verbal communication skills.

Documents

Interested candidates must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:
• CVs/profiles highlighting experience in similar projects/assignments and indicate at least three references;
• A four-page expression of interest explaining:
o why they are the most suitable to conduct the assignment
o brief methodology/roadmap on how they will approach the assignment, including engaging key agencies or departments for data
• A detailed budget explaining the cost of the data capture, collation and analysis using the appropriate tools. This includes any costs involved in the peer review process. Please note that financial proposals will be evaluated based on budgeted funds for the assignment and that TI Z will negotiate with the best consultants based on our evaluation criteria;
• At least one example of a past peer-reviewed research paper which they have produced directly which contributes to policy advocacy;
• VAT certificates for submission together with the subsequent invoice for payment.

Terms of payment

TI Z will make payment for the assignment upon satisfactory completion of the task.

How to Apply

Any hard copy documents and discs must be submitted in a sealed envelope, clearly marked on the outside with the category and must be hand-delivered to 96 Central Avenue, Harare. Alternatively, documents and links can be emailed to [email protected]. The closing date for submission of documents is the end of day on 8 November 2024 and no documents shall be received or entertained after this due date.