Anti - Money Laundering Specialist-IPSA11 (Erbil/Iraq)

Baghdad

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Baghdad
Grade: Mid level - IPSA-11, International Personnel Services Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Drugs, Anti-Money Laundering, Terrorism and Human Trafficking
Closing Date: Closed

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The UNDP Iraq Country Office, with generous funding from INL, implements a new project with the following name: “A Unified Approach to Countering Illicit Finance: Expanding the Impact of Iraq’s Financial Intelligence Unit” (hereinafter the AML-CFT project).

The project started in December 2022 and will last for 24 months. The project supports the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML-CFT) Office which functions as Iraq’s financial intelligence unit (FIU). The strength and effectiveness of the FIU directly impacts the level and quality of AML-CFT criminal enforcement. The AML-CFT Office is located within the Central Bank of Iraq in Baghdad.

Technical support will also be provided to improve the analytical and investigative capabilities of the AML-CFT Unit and Money Laundering Investigation Department of the MoI of the Kurdistan Region, to ensure that the AML-CFT Office operates as an effective financial intelligence unit and has personnel qualified to conduct outside training, and encourage improved quantity and quality of suspicious transaction reporting to the AML-CFT Office.

The AML-CFT enforcement regime – prevention and repression - is a whole-of-Iraq effort. Following UNDP’s programme, the AML-CFT Office and the MOI AML-CFT Unit of KRG will demonstrate a unified approach to countering illicit finance. The AML-CFT Office will improve its training capabilities, and expand its impact geographically, legislatively, and cooperatively. Developing a wide-ranging AML-CFT Office, with a consistently high level of expertise, under one legal framework, working collaboratively with operational and other government partners is an ambitious undertaking. This program further supports UNDP’s ongoing efforts focused on financial investigation techniques training and workshops for law enforcement and the judiciary.

Over a 24-month period of performance, the UNDP will make serious endeavours to reach the following aims:

Encourage the KRG to implement the Federal AML-CFT Law (No. 39) of 2015 or, if the KRI insists to adopt its own law, provide support during the drafting of the law and its implementation to ensure that the mandate of the KRI AML-CFT Unit is harmonized and compatible with the competences of the AML-CFT Office of the Federal Central Bank and with FATF Recommendations, by demonstrating the value of “one fight” against illicit finance activities. Through the work in this program, KRG entities, including KMOI, all understand the role of the FIU, reporting requirements, and recognize the authority of the CBI, particularly concerning financial intelligence.

Expand the reach of the AML-CFT Office, Iraq’s FIU, including by designating officials as liaison officers.

and enhancing their capacities.
Identify, disrupt, and dismantle illicit finance activities by implementing consistent and modern private sector compliance, regulatory and investigative techniques, including through improved collection and analysis of suspicious transaction reports (STRs) and the creation and use of STR Review Teams improving collaboration among the FIU, the judiciary, and law enforcement, anti-corruption and auditing agencies, leveraging Iraq’s implementation of goAML.
Reduce the impact of illicit finance activities and improve STR and currency reporting compliance by developing a broad “early warning system” through strategic training partnerships with Iraqi government institutions, including the Federal and KRG Real Estate Registry Offices, the Business Registration Authority, Ministry of Planning, Taxation Offices, the Customs Authority and other agencies supporting investigation and prosecution, to improve the quantity and quality of reporting.

UNDP, therefore, has identified the requirement to hire an Anti-Money Laundering Specialist to become part of a team of qualified anti-money laundering and countering of financing of terrorism specialists under the supervision of the collegial supervision of the Lead Anti-Money Laundering Specialist based in Baghdad and the overall guidance and oversight of the UNDP SSR/RoL senior technical expert on criminal justice in the implementation of the above project activities in close collaboration with the AML/CFT Office. Due to the unique characteristics of this assignment, it is vital that the consultant must have in-depth knowledge or previous experience in investigations of illicit finance activities in Iraq or similar context.

Duties and Responsibilities

The work will be from duty station Erbil/Iraq with frequent travel to Baghdad and other parts of the country to establish strong relations with national counterparts to provide advice or conduct training.

The Specialist, together with the other experts of the project, is expected to deliver the following tasks:

Contribute to the development and delivery of technical assistance, mentoring and training to the central AML/CFT Office and its national partner agencies in areas of illicit financial flows and AML/CFT law enforcement, prosecutions, financial investigations, criminal asset forfeiture, capacity building for financial intelligence units, and cooperation with private and NGO sectors by liaising closely with relevant institutions in Iraq, Kurdistan Region and the Middle East.
Review, in cooperation with the central AML-CFT Office and the MoI AML-CFT Unit of the MoI under the KRG, and draft a report identifying change management procedural issues which shall include the identification of any specific KRG management and enforcement concerns of the Federal AML-CFT Law.
Monitor and review best practices, methodologies and programmes related to illicit financial flows and AML/CFT and contribute to their promotion including development and delivery of technical assistance with a specific focus on development of financial disruption strategies against criminal and terrorist networks in Iraq & Kurdistan Region.

Assist the AML-CFT Office’s Financial Analysis Department and Training and Development Division in identifying the specific research and investigative skills and level of performance needed for financial intelligence professionals, have well planned and an up-to-date training curriculum and materials, have knowledge and skills-based testing for new hires and continuing performance and promotion examination.
Identify key performance indicators to monitor and assess the performance levels of the liaison officers and STR Review Teams to identify any causes of performance losses or gains and thus enhancing the quality and quantity of filed STR and using the information exchange as a preventive measure and intelligence source during investigations.
Analyse current submission rates of STRs to the AML-CFT Office identifying trends and strong/weak reporting areas by using the statistical data available not limited to the project year but identifying trends by starting the comparison from three years before the Project implementation.
Review current notification methods that are used to advise, notify and update the financial community and other types of entities that have a high level of AML-CFT abuse to promote a culture of proactive filing among regulated sectors by using the statistical data of filings. Comparison should be made between the qualities and amounts of statistical data with the notification method. As a result, a set of notification models shall be introduced.
Assess the capabilities of financial analysts and investigators in the AML-CFT Unit and Department of the MoI of the KRG and remedy deficiencies through training.
Facilitate the development of an “early warning system” through strategic training partnerships with Iraqi government institutions to improve the quantity and quality of reporting of illicit finance operations by identifying Federal Iraq and KRG AML-CFT partners in the Real Estate Registry, the Business Registration Authority, Ministry of Planning, Banking and Business Associations, and the Customs Authority offices.
Support the process of identifying any technology software/hardware hindering STR submissions or analysis by FIU personnel through conduct of an assessment.
Prepares monthly written report on work done, training workshops conducted, and milestones achieved and recommendations on the way forward to achieving the desired project AML-CFT goals and objectives.
Any other related task as described in the Project Document and advised by the UNDP Criminal Justice Specialist and the SSR/RoL Programme Manager.

Competencies

Core
	Achieve Results:	LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
	Think Innovatively:	LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
	Learn Continuously:	LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
	Adapt with Agility:	LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
	Act with Determination:	LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
	Engage and Partner:	LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
	Enable Diversity and Inclusion:	LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
*People Management: N/A*

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies
	Thematic Area	Name	Definition
	Business Direction & Strategy	Strategic Thinking	Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
	Business Direction & Strategy	Effective decision making	Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources.
	Business Management	Communication	Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
	Business Management	Result-based Management	Ability to manage a project with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
	Business Management	Working with Data and Evidence	Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.
	Business Management	Change Management	Ability to prepare, support, and help individuals and teams in designing and implementing organizational goals.
	Business Management	Evaluation	Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks – Ability to anticipate clients’ upcoming needs and concerns.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum Academic Qualifications/

Education

Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent degree) in the fields of accountancy, finance, law, criminology, or other subjects related to financial analysis, auditing, or investigations. A Bachelor’s degree with 9 years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of Master’s. OR professional training with certification from a recognized international/national police, customs or other staff training institution, with specialization in criminal justice, crime prevention, criminal investigation, law enforcement, border management, border working techniques and/or other related areas, with 13 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

Minimum Years of relevant Work Experience	At least 7 years with master’s degree, 9 years with bachelor’s degree or 13 years of relevant work experience in anti-money laundering and counter financing of terrorism in a Financial Intelligence Unit, central bank (or other supervisory authority), law enforcement agency, judiciary, the private sector or international organization. Experience in conducting national and sectoral AML/CFT risk assessments or providing policy prescriptions for AML/CFT systems. Professional experience in subjects related to criminal investigations, financial investigations, asset recovery, anti-corruption, policing, international sanctions regimes and related investigations, criminology, justice and security, or other related and relevant subject areas at national and/or international level.
Required Skills and Competencies	Knowledge of AML/CFT, and proceeds of crime/asset forfeiture legislation, as well as the relevant international instruments and mandates of the UN and UNODC, and FATF. Understanding and knowledge of the problem of illicit financial flows from crime and terrorism. Knowledge of recommendations and the mutual evaluation process; and those of the FATF Style Regional Bodies. Ability to assist in the development of professional training materials and the delivery of expert-level training courses. Knowledge of AML/CFT legislation and implementation capacities in general and is able to apply them to the situation of other countries.
Desired additional skills and competencies	Previous international mission experience in capacity building, analysis and conducting assessments. Previous international mission experience in related fields (e.g. justice, financial analysis and investigations) in the MENA region, and particularly in Iraq is considered a strong asset. Worked for a national FIU or directly supported FIU work by analysing suspicious transaction reports or working to support FIU policy and developing FIU skills. Experience in different legal systems, globally and in Iraq/the Arab world is considered a strong asset.
Required Language(s)	Excellent written and spoken English language skills are essential. Arabic or Kurdish language skills are considered a strong asset.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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