TRANSPARENCY

INTERNATIONAL

the global coalition against corruption

Funded by

the European Union

GENERAL INFORMATION

Title of Consultancy: Support to Research on Integrity in Public Decision Making in Europe (SAFE Democracy Project)

Application Closing Date: 20 August 2026

Consultancy Start and End Date: 01/09-10/10/2026

Location of Consultancy: remote/home

BACKGROUND

Transparency International (TI) is the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption. Through more than 100 chapters worldwide and an international secretariat in Berlin, Germany, TI raises awareness of the damaging effects of corruption and works with partners in government, business, and civil society to develop and implement effective measures to tackle it.

TI is implementing the SAFE Democracy Operating Grant (SAFE Democracy), funded by the European Union. The project aims to strengthen democratic resilience and support civil society engagement in promoting integrity in public decision-making across EU Member States.

The adoption of the EU Anti-Corruption Directive opens a critical 24-month transposition window during which Member States will translate its provisions into national law. While the Directive strengthens the criminal law framework, it remains weak on preventive measures. At the same time, TI’s Europe regional consultation on Conflicts of Interest, Lobbying and Civic Space, held as part of the development of TI’s global standards on Integrity in Public Decision Making, has generated a rich body of evidence on integrity challenges and good practices across the European Union and enlargement countries.

The Transparency International Secretariat (TI-S) is seeking a consultant or team of consultants in anti-corruption policy in the European Union, including conflicts of interest, lobbying, political finance, access to information and anti-corruption strategies, to produce two publications supporting TI’s advocacy in the region.

OBJECTIVES

The Consultant(s) will support TI’s work to strengthen integrity in public decision making in Europe by (i) equipping TI Chapters in the EU to advocate for ambitious national transposition of the EU Anti-Corruption Directive, going beyond its minimum requirements and embedding preventive measures, and (ii) consolidating the findings of the Europe Regional Consultation on Conflicts of Interest, Lobbying and Civic Space into a regional policy brief with actionable recommendations.

The Consultant will contribute towards the development of the following assignments:

I. Guidance on the Transposition of the EU Anti-Corruption Directive for TI Chapters

The Consultant(s) will develop a practical guidance document to support TI Chapters in EU Member States in using the 24-month transposition period of the EU Anti-Corruption Directive to advocate for national frameworks that go beyond the Directive’s minimum requirements. The guidance will place particular emphasis on ensuring that preventive measures, an area where the Directive itself is weak, are introduced alongside the transposition of its other

TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL
the global coalition against corruption

Funded by
the European Union

provisions. The guidance will focus in particular on political finance, conflicts of interest, lobbying, access to information and open data, and anti-corruption strategies.

The assignment will include:

  • Benchmarking of the EU Anti-Corruption Directive against existing and emerging TI Standards as well as international best practice, to identify gaps and opportunities for national advocacy, with a particular focus on political finance, conflicts of interest, lobbying, access to information and open data, and anti-corruption strategies.
  • Drafting of the guidance document, including concrete policy recommendations, and identifying advocacy opportunities during in the transposition process, as well as any additional input that can be used in national transposition debates, in close coordination with TI-S.

II. Research to support regional brief on Conflicts of Interest, Lobbying and Civic Space in Europe

The Consultant(s) will contribute to the preparation of a regional policy brief based on the outcomes of the Europe consultation on Conflicts of Interest, Lobbying and Civic Space, held as part of the development of TI's global standards on Integrity in Public Decision Making. The brief will summarise the key issues, illustrated with country examples from across the European Union and selected enlargement countries, and will propose recommendations on lobbying and interest representation and on conflicts of interest, with a particular focus, among others, on asset and interest declarations. A key consideration in the regional policy brief will be the right balance between integrity rules and ensuring safeguards for civic space.

The assignment will include:

  • Review and systematisation of the inputs and findings of the Europe regional consultation, complemented by targeted background research.
  • Identification and drafting of illustrative country examples from EU Member States and enlargement countries.
  • Drafting, in close coordination with TI-S, of the regional policy brief, including recommendations on lobbying and interest representation and on conflicts of interest, with particular attention to asset and interest declaration regimes, as well as upholding civic space.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE

Each assignment will begin with a short inception phase, during which the Consultant will submit a brief proposed workplan outlining the approach, timeline, and key milestones for the assignment. The workplan will be reviewed and agreed with the Transparency International Secretariat (TI-S).

The consultancy is expected to run until 10 October 2026 at the latest. The Consultant(s) will be responsible for delivering the outputs listed below.

Assignment 1: Guidance on the Transposition of the EU Anti-Corruption Directive for TI Chapters

Expected completion: 11 September 2026

The Consultant will develop a guidance document supporting TI Chapters in the EU to advocate for ambitious transposition of the EU Anti-Corruption Directive, with preventive measures at its core.

Deliverables include:

i. Review of the outline proposed by TI-S
ii. Submission of a first draft of guidance material
iii. Submission of a final draft revised based on feedback provided by the TI Secretariat.

Assignment 2: European Policy Brief on Integrity in Public Decision Making

Expected completion: 2 October 2026

TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL
the global coalition against corruption

Funded by
the European Union

The Consultant will contribute to the development of a regional policy brief consolidating the findings of the Europe consultation on Conflicts of Interest, Lobbying and Civic Space, with country examples and recommendations.

Deliverables include:

i. Review of the consultation findings and TI-S proposed structure of the brief, agreed with TI-S.
ii. Submission of a first full draft of the regional policy brief by 22 September.
iii. Submission of a final draft revised based on feedback provided by the TI Secretariat, by 2 October 2026.

All deliverables will be submitted in accordance with the agreed workplan and timeline.

The Consultant will work under the supervision of the TI-S Political Integrity Lead, the TI-S Thematic Lead for Civic Space and the TI-S Regional Advisor for Europe, and is expected to provide updates on progress upon request from the TI Secretariat and participate in coordination meetings, if required. TI-S retains sole rights with respect to the distribution, dissemination, and publication of all deliverables produced under this consultancy.

Timeline

Assignment 1:

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Assignment 2:

tbl-1.md

TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL
the global coalition against corruption

Funded by
the European Union

SELECTION CRITERIA

The Consultant(s) should have the following qualifications:

  • University degree in law, political science, public policy, European studies, or another relevant field.
  • 8+ years of demonstrated expertise in anti-corruption, integrity, transparency, and good governance issues.
  • Strong knowledge of EU governance frameworks and at least some of the following areas: conflicts of interest, lobbying, political finance, access to information, and anti-corruption strategies.
  • Proven experience conducting policy and legal research and drafting high-quality reports, policy briefs, or guidance materials.
  • Excellent written and spoken English.

REMUNERATION AND COSTS

This consultancy is output-based. Payments will be made upon satisfactory completion and acceptance of the deliverables listed below by TI-S.

tbl-2.md

Total budget: 10,000 EUR (excluding VAT)

This call is open to consultants based in the European Union.

Transparency International e.V. (TI) is registered as a Business Entity in Germany with VAT identification number DE273612486. EU reverse charge applies. Service providers should issue invoices with zero VAT.

Candidates who are based in Germany and do not charge German VAT must confirm their small entrepreneur status.

HOW TO APPLY

The application should include the following documents in English:

  • Motivation letter and Curriculum Vitae
  • One sample of relevant previous work (confidentiality guaranteed).

Please indicate “Support to Research on Integrity in Public Decision Making in Europe (SAFE Democracy Project)” in the subject line of your email application. Applications should be sent in English by email to Aram Khaghaghdyan at safedemresearchsupport@transparency.org by close of business on 20/08/2026.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

TRANSPARENCY

INTERNATIONAL^{}[] the global coalition against corruption

Funded by

the European Union

The Transparency International Secretariat is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where diversity is valued and where there is equality of opportunity. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and therefore welcome applications from qualified candidates of all regions, countries, cultures, and backgrounds.

Selection of candidates is made on a competitive basis, and we do not discriminate based on national origin, race, colour or ethnic background, religious belief, sex, gender identity and expression or sexual orientation, marital or family status, age, or ability. We kindly ask applicants to refrain from including in their application information relating to the above as well as from attaching photos.

Data protection

When you respond to this tender and submit your application, you provide consent that Transparency International e. V. keeps your application materials for the period of ten years according to German legal requirements. Afterwards Transparency International will delete your application and any personal data included in it. If you have any questions, please reach out to dataprotection@transparency.org

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