Regional Consultant on Illicit Financial Flows

The main duties and responsibilities are to be as follows:

• Identify and establish contact with relevant national counterparts in countries participating in pilot studies;
• Organize and monitor project implementation in beneficiary countries and ensure smooth roll out of pilot activities;
• Liaise with and supervise National Consultants in beneficiary countries to ensure smooth and timely project roll-out;
• Coordinate closely and maintain regular communication with UNODC ROSEAP staff on the activities at the regional level and the national workshops and meetings;
• Participate in Expert Group Meetings and national workshops in each participating country for discussing, clarifying and piloting the methodological guidelines to measure IFFs associated with criminal activities;
• Keep close communication and provide feedback to relevant national counterparts in countries participating in pilot studies;
• With ESCAP, ROSEAP and DDDS, contribute to the development of instructions for the pilot studies in Asia and the Pacific to test the estimation methodology for the IFF indicator 16.4.1, with a focus on illicit tax and commercial activities based on the conceptual framework and draft UNCTAD methodological guidelines on tax and commercial IFFs.
• Contribute to defining methods, data requirements and sources for the pilot activities to measure the magnitude and destination of IFFs from different illegal activities, focusing on tax and commercial IFFs.
• Contribute to the development of templates and data collection protocols to gather, validate and process data for the implementation of the statistical model in the pilot countries/regions.
• Produce training materials and documentation on the progress of pilot activities.

Expected duration

May 2021 – December 2021 with possibility of extension to October 2022 subject to satisfactory performance

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Qualifications:
Advanced university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in economics, econometrics, statistics, criminology, or in a related field is required.

Experience:
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in quantitative research or statistics on topics related to international trade, economy, non-observed economy, tax issues, economic crime and/or other illicit activities is required.
• Demonstrated analytical, research, writing and communication skills are required.
• Experience in managing data and proficiency with statistical software (Excel, Stata, R or Python) are required.
• Ability to undertake research in the field of estimating the value of illicit markets or illegal financial transactions or money laundering are desirable.
• Knowledge of existing frameworks adopted by national statistical offices (e.g. the System of National Accounts and the Balance of Payment) are desirable.
• A track record in project management is required.
• Work experience with national or international statistical offices, research or academic institutions is desirable.
• Knowledge of multilateral processes and experience working at an international organization or an internationally recognized think tank is desirable.
• Specialized knowledge on challenges related to illicit financial flows, non-observed economy or illegal activities in Asia and the Pacific, including Central Asia would be an asset.

Language:
For this position, fluency in English and Russian, including excellent drafting skills is required. Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.