New rules — new leadership: competition for the position of the Head of ARMA

Last year, Ukraine's anti-corruption ecosystem was often in the spotlight of the media and society at large. It is difficult to underestimate the role played by the development and even Preservation of the independence of institutions responsible for combating corruption in the country at critical moments, especially during a full-scale war. This has only reinforced the demand for independent, capable, and honest institutions that are able not only to resist corruption but also to deliver real results.

It is in this context that the reform of the Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA) took place. It was a response to long-standing criticism of the Agency's effectiveness, allegations of corruption, and low public trust. At the same time, the reform of ARMA is not only an internal demand of Ukrainian society, but also one of Ukraine's key international commitments in the field of anti-corruption.

On July 30, a new law on ARMA came into force, introducing an updated asset management system, external audit of the Agency's activities, and, crucially, an open competition for the position of ARMA Head. The implementation of this reform was stipulated in the Ukraine Facility Plan and became one of Ukraine's significant achievements on the path to European integration in 2025.

Our society seeks strong, capable, and independent institutions that are responsible for combating corruption, restoring justice, and repatriating criminally obtained funds to the budget.

Competition for the Head of ARMA

Holding open and transparent competitions for the heads of such institutions is one of the essential components of forming a strong anti-corruption ecosystem as a whole. Ukraine has already developed a number of best practices in competitions for top positions in various bodies. This positive experience has been reflected in the newly adopted law on ARMA. We are currently conducting a competition for the Head of ARMA, the Agency responsible for identifying, tracing, and managing assets obtained from corruption and other crimes.

ARMA plays a very important role in the criminal justice system, but unfortunately, in recent years, many questions have arisen regarding both the work of the Agency and the effectiveness of its leaders. And you should agree that the role of this institution is especially critical in difficult times to ensure that every hryvnia is used to help the country fight and survive this war.

In order to implement the law on ARMA and conduct a competition for the head of the Agency under the new rules, a Selection Commission was formed to select a candidate for the position of ARMA Head, which I have the honor of chairing. The Commission consists of six members, three of whom, namely Wolf-Tilman Baumert, Rita Simoes, and myself, were nominated by international donors who support the implementation of anti-corruption initiatives in Ukraine. The other three members of the Commission were nominated by the Ukrainian government, namely Serhii But, Anzhelika Krusian, and Valentyna Lukianets-Shakhova. All members of the Commission are professionals with many years of experience and are well aware of the importance of the task ahead of us.

This design of the Commission, as provided for by law, makes it possible to minimize the risks of potential pressure or attempts to influence the Commission's decisions. It is a collegial body that makes decisions jointly by open vote at meetings that anyone can watch live. Moreover, a decision can only be made if at least four members of the Commission vote in favor, two of whom are appointed on the recommendation of international partners.

We understand the skepticism that has historically existed regarding competitions for government positions. At the same time, we are convinced that maximum openness of the process, clear selection logic, and public justification of decisions are the best response to these doubts. The competition for the position of ARMA Chair is being conducted precisely according to these principles.

Who are we looking for? And what has the law changed in terms of requirements for candidates?

For the first time in the history of this Agency, thanks to changes in the ARMA Law, not only lawyers by education, but also economists can participate in the competition. This is important because most of the Agency's functions are related to the management of seized assets, interaction with the business environment, etc. It also significantly expands the pool of potential professionals who can head the Agency.

In general, the requirements are fairly standard:

• Ukrainian citizenship,
• higher education in law or economics with a degree not lower than a specialist (master's),
• at least 5 years of professional experience in the field,
• at least three years of experience in management positions,
• fluency in the official language and proficiency in a foreign language that is one of the official languages of the Council of Europe,
• and most importantly – integrity and capability.

We are currently accepting documents from applicants until January 19. A detailed list of required documents can be found here. We will then check them for compliance with the basic requirements of the law and begin the testing and interviewing stages with the candidates. The goal is to find the strongest candidate to be proposed to the government for appointment as Head of ARMA. We are looking for a true leader, a responsible and competent person who is honest and motivated to work hard for the benefit of the state.

Stages of the Competition and what the Commission will evaluate

In order to determine the most suitable candidate for the position, we will first conduct a series of tests, namely testing knowledge of legislation, testing general abilities, and completing a written practical assignment. All of these stages will take place offline in Kyiv. The Commission will announce all specific dates and details of these stages of the competition in advance on its official social media pages and on the website of the Cabinet of Ministers. Furthermore, the Commission has already approved the procedure for conducting the competition and the methodology and criteria for evaluating future candidates.

For the future Head of ARMA, knowledge of relevant national legislation, international standards, and EU acts, as well as analytical and communication skills, are important. Equally important for the Commission is the extent to which the candidate can demonstrate their leadership abilities.

It is also worth noting that the assessment will take into account the candidate's demonstrated commitment to independence, integrity, impartiality, and compliance with ethical standards, as well as their ability to act honestly and in a manner consistent with the public responsibilities of the position.

Based on the results of these three types of tests and additional integrity checks, we will interview the candidates who are admitted to the final stage and select one or two winners of the competition, whose candidacies will be submitted by the Commission to the Cabinet of Ministers for appointment to the position of the Head of ARMA.

Today, ARMA needs not just a formal manager, but a strong leader and administrator capable of taking responsibility for profound institutional transformation, building the Agency's effective work, and restoring trust in it — both within the country and in front of international partners.

If you have the necessary experience, motivation, and inner readiness to work for results, we sincerely encourage you to apply for the competition!

Kateryna Ryzhenko – Chair of the Selection Commission for the position of the Head of ARMA, Deputy Executive Director for Legal Affairs at Transparency International Ukraine