Senior Fellow in Counter-proliferation finance

Result of Service

Development of the risk assessment methodology; participation in the fact-finding missions and risk assessment workshops; development of the relevant materials/modules for the workshops and regional training sessions (including presentations, tabletop exercises, scenario-based discussions, analysis of case studies, etc.); research on emerging trends related to proliferation finance and sanctions evasion; participation in the regional training sessions and delivery of the relevant modules.

Work Location

Turin, Italy (hybrid modality)

Expected duration

January-December 2025

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) is a United Nations entity established in 1968 to support countries worldwide in preventing crime and facilitating criminal justice. UNICRI is mandated to assist intergovernmental, governmental, and non-governmental organizations in formulating and implementing improved policies in crime prevention and criminal justice. UNICRI s goals are: • to advance understanding of crime-related problems; • to foster just and efficient criminal justice systems; • to support the respect of international instruments and other standards; • to facilitate international law enforcement cooperation and judicial assistance. One of the strategic priorities of UNICRI is to support the development of an integrated Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) approach that incorporates all international, regional, and national CBRN components into a common strategy. This entails the application of a holistic approach through which all stakeholders, while operating autonomously, can establish common goals, identify and manage resources to achieve these goals, clearly allocate responsibilities and tasks, elaborate functioning channels of communication, create a security culture based on common learning, and ensure that lessons learned are incorporated and absorbed throughout the whole system. With generous support from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) of the United States of America, UNICRI has developed a Global Program on CBRN Counter-proliferation Finance and Sanctions. DTRA and UNICRI share a commitment to working with Member States to identify and address CBRN proliferation finance risks and associated organized criminal activities through targeted capacity-building activities. Notably, assistance on this complex and relatively new issue has, until now, been fragmented, and there is currently no comprehensive, long-term, UN-led initiative of global scope. UNICRI’s Global Program aims to bridge this gap by developing adaptable work packages tailored to urgent capacity-building needs across various contexts. The strategic objectives of the UNICRI Global Program are to: (i) assist Member States in assessing proliferation finance and sanctions evasion risks, including developing a risk assessment methodology and identifying gaps in their domestic legal and operational frameworks; (ii) enhance Member States’ compliance with international standards and sanctions; (iii) strengthen the capacities of State security, law enforcement, intelligence (including financial intelligence units), and customs agencies to detect, investigate, and disrupt CBRN proliferation finance and sanctions evasion activities; and (iv) facilitate the establishment of public-private cooperation mechanisms between government and private sector stakeholders. The purpose of the fellowship is to support the Programme Officer in implementing the CBRN Counter-proliferation Finance and Sanctions Program. The Senior Fellow’s technical expertise will inform the development of a robust risk assessment methodology, enhance fact-finding missions and risk assessment workshops, and shape the content and delivery of regional training sessions on counter-proliferation finance and sanctions evasion. Additionally, their insights will contribute to researching emerging trends in proliferation finance and sanctions evasion, ensuring the program remains responsive to evolving challenges. Under the supervision of the Programme Officer, the Senior Fellow will perform the following tasks: • Contribute to the development of the risk assessment methodology; • Participate in the fact-finding missions and risk assessment workshops; • Develop the relevant materials schedule and training materials (including presentations, tabletop exercises, scenario-based discussions, analysis of case studies, etc.) for the regional trainings on counter-proliferation finance and sanctions evasions; • Participate in regional training (including for Central Asia, Middle East, North Africa, Eastern and Southern Europe, Gulf countries and Southeast Asia) on the topics mentioned above and deliver the relevant module; • Conduct research on emerging trends related to proliferation finance and sanctions evasion; • Perform other job-related duties upon request

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (i.e., a Master’s or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international security, law, or related fields is required. A first-level university degree, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. At least 10 years of relevant working experience, at the national or international level, including research, analysis and data collection in the area of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) non-proliferation, counter-proliferation finance and targeted financial sanctions is required. Publication of reports and articles on the topics of counter-proliferation finance and targeted financial sanctions is required. Previous working experience in the private sector, dealing with sanctions-related issues is desirable. Previous experience in conducting research with the United Nations or other similar international organizations is highly desirable.

Languages

For the position advertised, fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of Russian is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.