Consultant – Whistle-blower Protection Expert

An assessment of the Ukrenergo reporting system and its compliance towards ISO37002 and the EU Directive 2019/1937 is undertaken. NABU is supported in implementing the recommendations derived from the assessment provided in 2024/2025 is undertaken, by providing advice, and drafting support for the development of a revised whistle-blowing policy. SARDI is supported in implementing the recommendations derived from the assessment provided in 2025, by providing advice, and drafting support for the development of a revised whistle-blowing policy. A review and propose amendments to the internal reporting mechanism and policy within a selected border management agency is undertaken. The consultant will carry out the specific deliverables under the overall supervision of the Acting Chief of FSS/CFB, and in close consultation with and guidance of the CFB thematic lead and other relevant UNODC members.

Home-based

1 September to 15 December 2026

1. Background of the assignment: 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 Corruption and Financial Crime Branch (CFB) acts as the Secretariat of the Conference of the States Parties (COSP) to the UNCAC. CFB has extensive experience and in-depth substantive expertise, delivering and adapting technical assistance to Member States upon request and working with a variety of national, regional and international stakeholders, on all substantive areas of the prevention and the fight against corruption. Moreover, CFB develops technical tools, and disseminates and facilitates the exchange of good practices in the prevention of and fight against corruption through the Global Programme to prevent and combat corruption through effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption in support of Sustainable Development Goal 16 (GLOZ99). One of the recurring challenges mentioned by the Sates parties to the Convention, is the reluctance of people to report alleged wrongdoing or crime and the difficulty to effectively protect the reporting persons. Indeed, UNCAC article 33 requires each State Party to consider adopting at the national level, measures to provide protection against any unjustified treatment for any person who reports in good faith any facts concerning offences established in accordance with the Convention. A robust whistle-blowing system is crucial for effective fight against corruption and the cornerstone for the promotion of good governance as envisaged by SDG 16 targets and indicators. In recognition of the key role that whistle-blowers play to better prevent, detect and prosecute corruption, the Conference of States Parties has adopted in December 2023, the resolution 10/8 “Protection of Reporting Persons”. The resolution recognizes whistle-blowers as a specific category of reporting persons who are reporting in their professional context of work environment and requests UNODC to continue and expand its technical assistance provision in this matter. In addition, UNODC has developed expertise working on anti-corruption and integrity in conflict and post-conflict settings through the adoption of COSP resolution 9/1, the Sharm el-Sheikh declaration on strengthening international cooperation in the prevention of and fight against corruption during times of emergencies and crisis response and recovery. Under this framework, CFB’s engagement has expanded through an increasing number of national in Ukraine. In this regard, UNODC has been supporting the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure (SARDI) through a detailed assessment of compliance with ISO37002 and the EU Directive 2019/1937, including the provisions of recommendations to strengthen their reporting systems. Following this work, additional agencies, such as Ukrenergo and border management, have requested similar work to be undertaken. Against this background, UNODC is seeking a consultant who will provide expertise and technical assistance to support NABU and SARDI in implementing the recommendations provided under the previous assessments, undertake an in-depth assessment of Ukrenergo towards ISO 37002 and the EU Directive 2019/1937 and provide support to a selected border management agency to establish and strengthen their reporting and protection systems. 2. Purpose of the assignment: The purpose of the assignment is to continue providing expertise and technical assistance to NABU and SARDI of Ukraine to implement the recommendations provided by the assessments of compliance with ISO37002 and the EU Directive 2019/1937, undertake assessments of the compliance of Ukrenergo and provide support to a selected border management agency on strengthening their reporting systems. 3. Specific deliverables to be produced by the consultant: Under the direct supervision of the Chief of FSS/CEB, and in coordination with the Head of UNODCs Programme Office in Ukraine, the UNODC officers supporting the Anti-Corruption Hub based in Nairobi and other relevant UNODC substantive officers and consultants as necessary, the consultant will perform the following substantive outputs: A. Undertake an assessment of the Ukrenergo’ reporting system and its compliance towards ISO37002 and the EU Directive 2019/1937 notably by: - Undertaking virtual meetings with representatives of Ukrenergo to gather information, identify the scope of the evaluation, supplement the initial assessment and clarify any outstanding points required; - Develop a draft report outlining the findings of the initial assessment and the meetings held with government representatives and providing concrete and practical recommendations for the improvement of existing and the establishment of new processes, mechanisms and protective measures relating to whistle-blowers; - Present the draft report during virtual validation meetings with representatives of the relevant Ukrainian authorities, gather any feedback and comments provided during the meetings and produce the final version of the report. B. Support NABU in implementing the recommendations derived from the assessment provided in 2024/2025, by providing advice, and drafting support for the development of a revised whistle-blowing policy; C. Support SARDI in implementing the recommendations derived from the assessment provided in 2025, by providing advice, and drafting support for the development of a revised whistle-blowing policy; D. Undertake a review and propose amendments to the internal reporting mechanism and policy within a selected border management agency. 4. Expected tangible and measurable deliverables: The consultant will carry out the specific deliverables under the overall supervision of the Acting Chief of FSS/CFB, and in close consultation with and guidance of the CFB thematic lead and other relevant UNODC members.

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, social science (international relations, management, public administration, political science, or economics, etc.) or in a subject closely related to anti-corruption and / or crime prevention 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 progressively responsible experience in law, research, policy-making and/or advisory services, with an emphasis on anti-corruption, whistle-blowing, ethics, and/or integrity issues is required. Out of those 10 years, a minimum of seven (7) years of working experience in the topic of whistle-blowing is required. A demonstrated understanding of the international and EU legal frameworks and practices in the area of anti-corruption, transparency in governance and whistleblower protection is required. A demonstrated understanding of ISO37002 and the EU Directive 2019/1937 is desirable. Previous experience with the United Nations or equivalent international organizations is desirable. A strong familiarity with current whistle-blower practices and systems used around the world, including good practices, is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an advantage.

Not available.

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.