International Consultant - Lead the Assessment of Transnational Organized Crime and the Nexus with Counter-Proliferation Financing in Southeast Asia

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime. Established in 1997, UNODC operates in over 150 countries and employs thousands of staff members dedicated to promoting justice, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and human rights. The organization focuses on various issues, including drug trafficking, organized crime, corruption, and terrorism, aiming to assist member states in their efforts to combat these challenges through research, capacity building, and policy development.

Job Overview:
The International Consultant will play a pivotal role in assessing transnational organized crime and its connections to counter-proliferation financing in Southeast Asia. This position requires the consultant to submit a comprehensive concept note for a Regional Guidance Document, which will outline the background, objectives, methodology, and timeline for the project. The consultant will also be responsible for developing training materials and delivering training sessions, ensuring that the guidance document is practical and relevant to national contexts. The consultant will work closely with UNODC staff and other consultants, coordinating efforts to enhance the capacity of financial crime units and law enforcement agencies in the region. The role involves significant collaboration with public officials and stakeholders to address complex issues related to money laundering and proliferation financing.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will lead the design and development of a Regional Guidance Document, which will clarify typologies, risks, and response strategies for money laundering associated with cyber-scams and transnational organized crime. This includes identifying red-flag indicators, best practices for investigations, and case studies from previous assessments. The consultant will conduct virtual interviews and desk reviews, as well as organize two on-site regional expert group meetings for data collection and validation. Additionally, the consultant will plan and deliver two in-country technical mentorship missions to support financial crime units in the Philippines and Thailand, engaging approximately fifty authorities in developing complex cases and implementing risk-based supervisory strategies. The consultant will also facilitate a public-private partnership dialogue to strengthen collaboration among financial institutions, virtual asset service providers, and government agencies. Comprehensive post-mission reports with recommendations for future initiatives will be required, along with the coordination of the initial guidance outline and final document submission.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in public administration, international relations, social science, law, political science, criminology, non-proliferation, or closely related fields. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in financial crime, intelligence analysis, organized crime, money laundering, counter-proliferation financing, or related areas is essential. Demonstrated expertise in designing and delivering capacity-building programs and workshops on counter-proliferation financing and sanctions implementation is required. Experience advising governments and financial intelligence units on proliferation financing and targeted financial sanctions is desirable.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as public administration, international relations, social science, law, political science, criminology, or non-proliferation is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields, combined with additional qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in areas related to financial crime, intelligence analysis, organized crime, money laundering, and counter-proliferation financing. This experience should include a strong background in capacity-building programs and technical assistance activities.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another official United Nations working language, such as French, is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is expected to be from June 15, 2026, to March 15, 202

• The position is home-based, allowing for flexibility in work location. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process.