Constituent Mitigations

1.1 Mission personnel recruitment

Mission corruption risks often begin at home: where recruitment of deployable personnel is based on bribery and nepotism, for example, the risks of corruption within the mission increase. This is because personnel who secured their place in the deployment by paying bribes might seek to recoup these amounts in theatre, including through illegal activity. They will also be unprepared for mitigating corruption risks and more likely to overlook or support corrupt networks. Troop contributing countries should therefore ensure that robust, merit-based recruitment systems are in place, especially with multinational deployments bringing together troops from varying defence forces.

Case Study Snippet

Corruption and UN peace operations

Postings with the UN peace operations can be lucrative due to higher salaries and generous allowances, such as per diems and danger pay. They can also influence officers’ future careers, as in some armed forces international experience is needed to progress through the ranks. These postings can, therefore, be desirable and can be at risk of bribery...

View Case Study
  • Ensure recruitment is based on merit and ability to contribute to mission goals and environment;
  • Decisions on recruitment and promotions related to mission deployment should be taken by panels rather than individuals;
  • Invite external audit and/or supervision of recruitment processes;
  • For good practice in recruitment and promotions that can be adapted to mission recruitment, see the Government Defence Anti-Corruption Index, model answers to Q37, Q41, Q42, Q43, Q44.

Key Personnel

  • J1
  • Command Group