ASSESSMENT OF POSITIONS WITH INCREASED CORRUPTION RISKS: THE EXPERIENCE OF UKRAINE AND NATO MEMBER STATES

Abstract

Introduction. The article examines theoretical and practical approaches to the assessment of positions with increased corruption risks in the security and defence sector. It is substantiated that corruption risks are largely determined not only by individual personal characteristics of officials, but primarily by functional powers, the level of discretion, access to resources, and the degree of control inherent in specific positions. The national regulatory framework of Ukraine in the field of corruption prevention and existing approaches to identifying positions associated with increased corruption risks are analysed. Particular attention is paid to the experience of NATO member states, including the application of a risk-based approach, functional job analysis, mechanisms for the distribution of powers, internal control, and preventive anti-corruption tools.

It is established that in NATO member states, job assessment is an integral part of systemic corruption risk management and is embedded in personnel management processes, internal control systems, and integrity assurance mechanisms. At the same time, in Ukraine, existing mechanisms require further development in terms of establishing standardized methodologies for job assessment, implementing a systemic risk-based approach, and integrating assessment results into personnel management processes.

Based on the results of the study, key directions for improving the system of assessing positions with increased corruption risks in Ukraine have been identified, taking into account the standards and practices of NATO member states. This will contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of anti-corruption policy, strengthening personnel integrity, and increasing the institutional resilience of the security and defence sector.

Purpose. The purpose of the study is to provide a theoretical substantiation and analyse practical approaches to assessing positions with increased corruption risks, to examine the national experience of Ukraine and NATO member states in this field, and to determine priority areas for improving the system of assessing corruption-prone positions in the security and defence sector of Ukraine, taking into account international standards and integrity frameworks.

Materials and methods. The research materials include: 1)regulatory legal acts of Ukraine governing corruption prevention and corruption risk management, in particular the Law of Ukraine “On Prevention of Corruption”, anti-corruption programmes, and methodological recommendations of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention; 2) international regulatory and methodological documents, including NATO materials within the Building Integrity programme, recommendations of the OECD, Transparency International, and other international organisations in the field of integrity and corruption risk management; 3) scientific works of domestic and foreign scholars devoted to corruption prevention, corruption risk management, and integrity in the security and defence sector.

The following scientific methods were used: theoretical generalisation (to analyse scientific approaches to defining corruption risks); comparative legal method (to examine regulatory features in Ukraine and NATO member states); system-structural method (to determine the place of job assessment within corruption risk management and integrity systems); logical-analytical method (to analyse the regulatory framework and formulate conclusions); method of logical generalisation (to systematise results and define improvement directions); and methods of analysis and synthesis (to comprehensively study theoretical and practical aspects of job assessment).

Results. The study explores theoretical and practical approaches to assessing positions with increased corruption risks as a component of the corruption risk management system in the security and defence sector. The essence of a position as an independent object of corruption risk management is defined, and the necessity of its assessment based on a functional approach is substantiated. The regulatory framework of Ukraine and international standards and practices of NATO member states regarding integrity assurance are analysed.

It is established that the current system of corruption risk assessment in Ukraine mainly focuses on functions and processes, while the assessment of positions as separate carriers of corruption risk requires further development. The main criteria for job assessment are identified, including the level of discretionary powers, access to material and financial resources, the ability to influence managerial decision-making, and the level of control over officials’ activities.

An approach to assessing positions with increased corruption risks is proposed, based on the principles of risk-based management and taking into account international experience of NATO member states. The implementation of this approach will enhance the effectiveness of anti-corruption policy, ensure timely identification of corruption-prone positions, and facilitate the introduction of preventive measures to minimise relevant risks.

The assessment of positions with increased corruption risks is an important tool for ensuring personnel integrity, increasing transparency of management processes, improving the efficiency of public resource use, and forming a corruption risk management system in line with international standards.

Prospects. Further research should focus on developing a standardized methodology for assessing positions with increased corruption risks, taking into account functional powers, level of discretion, access to resources, and other factors determining corruption vulnerability. Special attention should be paid to developing practical mechanisms for implementing such methodology within the activities of security and defence sector institutions in Ukraine.

This will improve the effectiveness of the corruption prevention system, ensure more efficient corruption risk management, and contribute to the development of a modern integrity system in accordance with NATO standards and international practices.