Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Asset Recovery (AR) & Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) team of the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) in Brussels, Belgium. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Legal Officer. The AR & IFFs team is at the forefront of research and dissemination of best practices and recommendations to combat illicit financial flows and focuses on the damage caused by unchecked IFFs; the team emphasizes on the importance of strengthening cross-border relationships and providing essential support and expertise. By aiding in the design and implementation of more effective responses to IFFs, the team plays a crucial role in assisting countries in weakening the influence of organized crime and directing recovered assets towards high-priority development needs. For more information on UNICRI, please visit the website: www.unicri.it

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Associate Programme Officer will assist the project team in the implementation of the following specific duties: • Assist in providing substantive support to the AR and IFFs programme by participating in the development and implementation of assigned project activities; drafting briefing notes, background materials and reports; liaise with relevant parties and stakeholders; • Support the organization of events on the promotion of emerging and best practices on asset recovery – such as Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWOs) as well as social re-use; including identification of participants and speakers, handling invitations, preparation of documents, and ensuring coordination of technical experts; • Participate in field missions, and assist with, inter alia, contributing to the delivery of technical assistance to government officials, asset recovery practitioners and other stakeholders (especially from Armenia, Georgia, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova and Palestine), including on actual pending cases, as well as preparing mission reports and supporting in the provision of appropriate follow-up activities; • Coordinate with relevant UNICRI sections, including Headquarters, to ensure compliance with internal protocols and smooth project implementation; • Participate in and review survey initiatives; assist with the design of data collection tools to gather inputs on national priorities (with a focus on the national priorities of Armenia, Georgia, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova and Palestine), and provide advice on matters related to research, monitoring, and coordination of field activities addressing illicit financial flows resulting from organized crime; • Contribute to the enhancement and sustainability of the Asset Recovery Interagency Network for the Middle East and North Africa Region (ARIN MENA), mainly in coordination with national officials of Saudi Arabia, and also through close communication with the Secretariats of the Balkan Asset Management Inter-Agency Network (BAMIN) and Camden Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network (CARIN); • Provide support with grants management encompassing activities planning, filing, support in the coordination of implementing partners, and ensuring precise reporting to donors, with a specific focus on the European Commission; • Foster and maintain positive working relationships with international organizations addressing illicit financial flows, money laundering, corruption, and asset recovery; collaborate with both international and national institutions on country-specific initiatives and informational resources related to illicit financial flows, with a particular focus on supporting the justice and rule of law sectors. Establish and sustain close dialogue with other organizations engaged in efforts to curb illicit financial flows and enhance tracing, seizure, and confiscation of illicitly-acquired assets. Also contribute to the visibility of these efforts through the draft of outreach materials; • Provide inputs and editing for the drafting of national strategies for anti-corruption, in particular for the EU Southern Neighbourhood region; • Contribute to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provide draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Perform other work-related duties upon request.

Competencies

Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to addressing illicit financial flows, corruption, effective mutual legal and other cross-border assistance, penal and non-penal forms of seizure and confiscation of illicitly-acquired assets. Has ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Has ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Has conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Has ability 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. Is able to analyse and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Planning & Organizing: 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. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in criminology, international relations, political science or another related field is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with an additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A first-level university degree and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the Young Professional Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of income-generating crime or related criminal justice matters, OR the successful completion of the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P) is required. Work experience on the specific issues of asset recovery, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and illicit financial flows is desirable. Work experience in the field of countering organized crime is desirable. Experience with the issue of asset recovery and its relevant legal frameworks in the EU Southern Neighbourhood and EU Eastern Partnership Countries region is desirable. Experience in researching penal and non-penal mechanisms to recover assets is desirable. Work experience in EU-funded project implementation, including reporting is desirable. Work experience within the United Nations system or similar international organizations is desirable. Experience with the EU agreements’ conditions for reporting including the use of the EU Operational System (OPSYS) as well as outreach platforms such as EU Digitool is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is funded from extra-budgetary resources. The initial appointment will be for a period of one year and will be limited to service with UNICRI. Any extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of funds. In view of the nature of the funding of the present position, should a UN Secretariat staff member apply and be selected for this position with the Institute, such a selection will be implemented on a temporary basis. 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. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. 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. Brussels is classified in the H 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.