This free online training module, “Common types of corruption in project procurement”, is part of the GIACC Training Academy’s suite of modules which are designed to increase understanding of corruption in the infrastructure sector, and thereby help prevent and detect it.

Infrastructure projects are widely regarded as being prone to corruption throughout all phases, including procurement.  

Abuse of procurement procedures can also occur in the procurement phase.  This abuse may be innocent (e.g. due to mistake, or lack of knowledge of the procedures).  Alternatively, it could be due to, or could enable, a corrupt act.  In the case of a private sector project, procurement procedures are normally the internal procedures of the project owner.  In the case of a public sector project, the procurement procedures are normally statutory.  These statutory procedures may be supplemented by the project owner’s internal procedures.

It is easier to implement effective anti-corruption measures in the procurement phase, and to investigate corruption, if you understand how corruption and abuse of procedure takes place.

This workshop therefore examines how corruption and abuse of procedure takes place in the procurement phase of an infrastructure project

(Note:  Separate modules examine how to (1) prevent and (2) investigate these types of corruption and abuse of procedure.)

There is a small element of duplication between the content of this module, and the content of the associated module “Common types of corruption in project construction”.  This is because the summary explanations of the offences of fraud and bribery are repeated in both modules.  However, the examples given of these offences actually occurring are different in each module, as one provides examples of occurrence during procurement, and the other during construction.

This module takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.  On the last page of this module, you can print a certificate of completion, with your name and date of completion.  GIACC keeps no record of your identity in undertaking this module, so this certificate is purely for your own or your organisation’s record.

In this module:

• the term “infrastructure project” is used to include any project in the built environment:  e.g. roads, railways, airports, bridges, power stations, hospitals, schools, commercial and residential buildings.
• the term “corruption” is used to include bribery, extortion, fraud, cartels, abuse of power, embezzlement, and money laundering, which are the most common criminal offences in infrastructure. 

To proceed through this Module, click “Next” below.