Countering the Financing of Terrorism Expert – FATF Recommendation 8

Host entity: UNOCT

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Economics, poverty reduction, livelihoods, Safety and security, Legal affairs

Application deadline: 07/10/2026

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) was established by the General Assembly in June 2017. The Office has five main functions: (a) provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates across the United Nations System; (b) enhance coordination and coherence across the 43 Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the Strategy; (c) strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States; (d) improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and (e) ensure that due priority is given to counter-terrorism across the United Nations System and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy.

Assignment context

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), through its Global Coordinated Programme on Detecting, Preventing and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT Programme), supports Member States in strengthening their capacities to prevent and counter the financing of terrorism in line with relevant United Nations resolutions, international obligations and applicable international standards. Within this framework, UNOCT provides specialized technical assistance, policy support and capacity-building to strengthen legal, regulatory, institutional and operational frameworks relevant to countering the financing of terrorism, including support for the effective implementation of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards.

In Turkmenistan, UNOCT is supporting national efforts to strengthen implementation of the revised FATF Recommendation 8 concerning the protection of non-profit organizations (NPOs) from potential abuse for terrorist financing purposes. The initiative responds to identified gaps related to the assessment of terrorist financing risks affecting the NPO sector, the application of targeted, proportionate and risk-based approaches to supervision and oversight, the adequacy of relevant legal and regulatory frameworks, inter-agency coordination, and practical engagement with the NPO sector.

The project will support a targeted review of relevant legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks and provide technical assistance to a sector-specific assessment of terrorist financing risks affecting NPOs. This will include support to the development and application of risk criteria and analytical approaches, review and analysis of relevant information and data, identification of key vulnerabilities and risk factors, and preparation of substantive findings and recommendations for national consideration.

The initiative will further support the development of practical guidance on risk-based and proportionate supervision of the NPO sector, including approaches to identifying different levels of risk, applying proportionate supervisory measures and periodically reviewing the adequacy of relevant measures. It will also include targeted consultations, capacity-building activities and technical workshops with competent national authorities and other relevant stakeholders, with a view to strengthening national understanding, coordination and practical implementation of the revised Recommendation 8.

The UN Volunteer will serve as a substantive Expert within the project and will be expected to provide high-level technical and analytical expertise across these workstreams. The assignment will require strong professional knowledge of FATF Recommendation 8 and terrorist financing risks affecting the NPO sector, demonstrated experience with risk-based regulatory and supervisory approaches, strong analytical and drafting capabilities, and the ability to engage effectively with senior and technical government counterparts, subject-matter experts and other relevant stakeholders.

The assignment will be implemented in close coordination with relevant national counterparts and in cooperation with the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG) Secretariat and the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), in line with the approved project framework and relevant international standards.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer, the UN Volunteer will serve as a substantive Expert and provide specialized technical and analytical expertise for the implementation of the project “Strengthening the Implementation of FATF Recommendation 8 in Turkmenistan”. The Expert will contribute to the effective delivery of project activities, with particular emphasis on the assessment of terrorist financing risks affecting the non-profit organization (NPO) sector, risk-based and proportionate approaches, relevant legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks, and the development of practical guidance and targeted capacity-building.
The Expert will contribute to substantive research and analysis, technical inputs to the NPO-sector terrorist financing risk assessment, review of relevant legal and regulatory frameworks, development of practical guidance and analytical products, preparation and delivery of capacity-building activities, and the formulation of practical recommendations to support national follow-up.

In particular, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Conduct substantive research and analysis on FATF Recommendation 8, terrorist financing risks affecting the NPO sector, risk-based and proportionate approaches, and relevant international and regional standards, guidance and good practices, and translate analytical findings into practical inputs for project implementation.
• Provide specialized technical inputs to the assessment of terrorist financing risks affecting the NPO sector, including the development and application of appropriate risk criteria and analytical methodology; collection, review and analysis of relevant qualitative and quantitative information; identification of vulnerabilities, risk factors and differentiated levels of risk; and preparation of substantive findings and practical recommendations.
• Conduct and substantively contribute to the review of legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks relevant to the implementation of FATF Recommendation 8 in Turkmenistan, including analysis of existing measures against the requirements of the revised Recommendation 8 and identification of areas where risk-based and proportionate approaches could be further strengthened.
• Prepare high-quality analytical and technical products, including background papers, briefing notes, comparative analyses, technical inputs, presentations, talking points, substantive meeting materials, findings and recommendations related to the implementation of FATF Recommendation 8.
• Contribute substantively to the development of practical guidance and methodological materials for competent national authorities on risk-based and proportionate approaches to the NPO sector, including the identification of different levels of terrorist financing risk, application of proportionate risk-mitigation and supervisory measures, and periodic review of the adequacy of such measures.
• Provide substantive expertise for the preparation and delivery of consultations, technical meetings, workshops and capacity-building activities for competent national authorities and other relevant stakeholders, including the development of training materials, case-based exercises and technical presentations, and delivery or co-facilitation of substantive sessions, as appropriate.
• Engage with relevant national authorities, subject-matter experts, representatives of the NPO sector and other relevant stakeholders to support the collection and validation of information, facilitate substantive technical exchanges and ensure that project outputs are informed by relevant national context and international standards.
• Review and provide substantive comments on technical documents, analytical products and other materials prepared in the context of the project, and ensure the quality, consistency and technical accuracy of relevant project outputs within the Expert’s area of expertise.
• Support the formulation of practical, evidence-based recommendations for national consideration, drawing on the findings of the risk assessment, legal and regulatory analysis, consultations and capacity-building activities, and taking into account the need for measures to be targeted, proportionate and risk-based.
• Contribute to substantive coordination with the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG) Secretariat, the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), relevant national counterparts and other partners, as required for the implementation of project activities.
• Prepare substantive records and follow-up documentation arising from consultations, workshops and technical meetings, and contribute to monitoring and documenting progress, results, lessons learned and recommendations relevant to project implementation.
• Perform other related substantive duties within the scope of the assignment, as required.

Skills and experience

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), with substantial experience specifically related to CFT, FATF standards, financial integrity, or related regulatory and policy frameworks.
• Demonstrated professional experience in the implementation and practical application of FATF standards, including FATF Recommendation 8 and risk-based and proportionate approaches to protecting NPOs from terrorist financing abuse.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting or substantively supporting terrorist financing risk assessments, sectoral risk assessments or comparable analytical exercises, including the development or application of risk assessment methodologies, analysis of qualitative and quantitative information, identification of vulnerabilities and risk factors, and formulation of risk-based recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience conducting legal, regulatory, policy or institutional analysis in the AML/CFT field, including the review of relevant frameworks and the development of practical recommendations, guidance or methodological tools.
• Demonstrated experience providing specialized technical assistance and substantive advice to government authorities, financial intelligence units, regulators, law enforcement bodies and/or other competent national authorities on AML/CFT-related matters.
• Experience designing, developing and delivering specialized capacity-building activities, technical workshops, consultations or training for government officials and other professional audiences.
• Proven experience drafting, reviewing and quality-assuring high-quality technical and analytical products, including policy papers, legal or regulatory analyses, risk assessment products, practical guidance, methodological materials, technical reports, recommendations and training materials.
• Strong knowledge of terrorist financing risks affecting the NPO sector and of targeted, proportionate and risk-based approaches under the revised FATF Recommendation 8.
• Excellent analytical, research, drafting, editing and reporting skills, including the ability to translate complex technical and regulatory issues into clear, practical and actionable recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with senior and technical government counterparts, subject-matter experts and other relevant stakeholders in a multicultural and politically sensitive environment.
• Fluency in English and Russian is required, including excellent drafting and communication skills in English and the ability to conduct substantive professional exchanges in Russian.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound professional judgement, manage multiple substantive workstreams and deliver high-quality outputs within agreed deadlines.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and virtual collaboration tools.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management
• Teamwork and respect for diversity
• Communication

Living conditions

This is a remote assignment. The UN Volunteer is expected to have a reliable internet connection, an appropriate workspace and the necessary equipment to perform the assignment effectively. The UN Volunteer will work in coordination with UNOCT counterparts across different time zones and is expected to be available for virtual meetings and deliver outputs within agreed timelines. Any travel, if required, will be subject to programme needs, security conditions, visa clearance and availability of funds.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances:
The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable them to sustain a secure standard of living in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer, and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service.

For information specific to your assignment, please see below:

- Monthly Living Allowance (Remote Arrangement): USD 1,200 (global average, per month). The final amount will be calculated based on the selected candidate’s country of residence using the UNV Allowance Calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator.
- Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 200
- Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance
- Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month
- Certified and Uncertified Sick Leave in accordance with UNV Conditions of Service

The above summary is provided as information only and is subject to change. For further information on the full range of entitlements and eligibility criteria, please read the UN Volunteer Conditions of Service

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.