United Nations: Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer

Job Opening

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

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Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSAF) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Pretoria, South Africa. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the UNODC Representative and the substantive technical guidance of the Vienna-based Programme Coordinator heading the Global Programme against Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime and the Financing of Terrorism (GPML) of the Cybercrime and Anti-Money Laundering Section (CMLS) of the Organized Crime Branch (OCB), Division for Treaty Affairs (DTA) of UNODC.
For more information on UNODC please visit www.unodc.org

Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Keep abreast of the situation in addressing money laundering in the region, provide relevant analysis and baselines for evidence-based project implementation.
• Provide specialist advice in drafting anti-money laundering legislation, including seizure, freezing and forfeiture of proceeds of crime and related issues to the countries in the region.
• Build working relationships with national prosecution authorities in the region and other relevant national and regional authorities.
• Provide expert advice to the ARINSA (Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network of Southern Africa) Secretariat in the conduct of meetings, substantive discussions, including on promotion of asset forfeiture good practices.
• Identify related training needs and serve as resource person for the delivery of tailored training courses, in conformity with the objectives of the project.
• Provide ongoing advice to relevant government authorities in the region on the establishment and staffing of suitable institutional structures responsible for asset forfeiture and asset management.
• Manage the design and content of the ARINSA web platform aimed at supporting networking among AML practitioners in the region.
• Foster teamwork with colleagues in ROSAF and other relevant UNODC sections and units, such as the Global Wildlife Programme, the Terrorism Prevention Branch, the Corruption and Economic Crime Branch, including information sharing on ongoing and planned work to ensure synergies and coherent action.
• Support the implementation and development of regional projects designed to enhance knowledge and effectiveness of AML and asset forfeiture programmes within the region, and their alignment with the UNODC-SADC (Southern African Development Community) Regional Programme for Southern Africa.
• Under the guidance of the Regional Representative contribute to the UN work at the field level and participate in the UN Country Teams (UNCTs) thematic groups, as well as in other thematic projects, dealing with AML and asset forfeiture.
• Provide specialist advice and substantive support to the UNODC Regional Office for Southern Africa on asset forfeiture, asset recovery, money laundering and terrorist financing issues and contribute to the implementation of the Regional Programme.
• Prepare and submit regular reports related to the work in the region to DTA/OCB/CMLS and ROSAF, as per performance workplan.
• Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to UNODC mandates; has demonstrable understanding of, and experience in relevant aspects of money laundering, combating terrorism finance (AML/CFT), proceeds of crime, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and extradition legislation; has knowledge of and experience in fostering regional and international contacts and cooperation relevant to the effective operation of a country’s AML/CFT/financial/economic regime; has demonstrable ability to liaise with prosecutors and knowledge in the preparing documents required by the courts in the course of investigations, asset freezing/seizures and prosecutions; has knowledge and experience in training/mentoring prosecutors, law enforcement officers and/or other criminal justice officials in matters relating to the investigation and prosecution of money laundering or other financial/economic crimes; has knowledge and understanding of the UN Security Resolutions and Conventions relating to money laundering and the financing of terrorism; has knowledge and understanding of the Financial Action Task force (FATF) and AML/CFT assessment methodology for mutual evaluations; is able to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities; shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of relevant professional (including international) experience in a common law jurisdiction, in money laundering investigations, intelligence and law enforcement, including seizure/forfeiture of criminal assets and preparation of cases for trial is required.Experience in a dedicated proceeds of crime investigation unit, preferably having worked closely with prosecutors, customs personnel, financial professionals and other relevant disciplines in the investigation of money laundering cases and the seizure/forfeiture of criminal assets is required.

Experience in training and providing advice and assistance in the area of proceeds of crime is required.

Experience with the preparation of court documents necessary for investigations, seizures, and prosecutions, including search warrants, applications for wiretap authorizations, applications for freezing/seizure of criminal assets is desirable.

Working experience in the Southern African region is desirable.

Working experience within the United Nations system or other international organizations is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage. Fluency in Portuguese is an asset.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This is a project post. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of funds.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Pretoria is classified in the A category (family duty station).

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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