The Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM) of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) is seeking individuals to carry out research at the national level in 8 countries to assess government progress on implementation of OGP Action Plans.
Background
The OGP is a new multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance. To become a member of OGP, participating countries must embrace a high-level Open Government Declaration, deliver a country action plan developed with public consultation; and commit to independent reporting on their progress going forward through theOGP Independent Reporting Mechanism.
The IRM is a key means by which all stakeholders can track progress and OGP’s impact within participating countries. By tracking progress, it promotes strong accountability between member governments and citizens.
The IRM works primarily by disseminating annual independent assessment reports for each OGP participating government. Each national progress report will assess the implementation of action plans, progress in fulfilling open government principles, and will develop technical
recommendations.
The first 8 countries to be evaluated in 2013 include Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, Philippines, South Africa, United Kingdom, and United States.
Qualifications
- Demonstrated history (approximately 10 years) of policy-relevant research.
- National reputation as objective, impartial, and thorough.
- Track record of producing write clear, policy-relevant publications.
- Ability to facilitate participatory research, interviews, and institutional analysis.
- Specific experience working on public policy issues related to governance, transparency, accountability, or public participation more broadly.
- Experience working with and engaging civil society, the government, and the private sector.
- Demonstrated ability to solicit, incorporate, and respond to official and public comments on research within a strict time frame.
- Demonstrated capacity and willingness to engage broad range of stakeholders in a neutral, apolitical and objective fashion.
- Ability to interact with high level officials and broad network of civil society actors.
- Strong English-language skills.
- Clear consistent communication to IRM Program staff in Washington, DC and to International Experts Panel.
- Attendance of two or more in-person sessions including a training in early 2013.
- Independent research using focus-groups, interviews, and document review.
- Completion of online research questionnaire to be published separately.
- Publication of one national research report including executive summary.
- Contribution to international synthesis report in mid-2013.
- OGP will offer travel and significant honorarium to cover costs of participation with possibility of extension upon satisfactory completion of first year’s duties.
- Interested parties should submit a CV to the IRM Program Manager at joseph.foti(at)opengovpartnership.org. Third-party nominations may also be made through the same address.
- National researchers for the IRM will be approved of by the Independent Experts Panel and IRM program staff, with an opportunity for comment and input by the respective national governments. Each applicant will be weighed against a clear public set of criteria, based on interviews, review of prior work, and references.
- There is a strong preference for nationals of the evaluated country and for those with experience directly relevant to country action plans.
- The actual IRM country reports will be drafted by these national researchers based on a combination of interviews with local OGP stakeholders, analysis of relevant data, and reports by governments and civil society.
The call will be extended until 1700 Eastern Standard Time, Monday, February 25, 2013 for the following countries: Indonesia, Norway, and United States.
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