Countering the Financing of Terrorism Expert – Investigations and Prosecution

Host entity: UNOCT

Volunteer type: National

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

Application deadline: 11/10/2026

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.

The CFT Programme seeks to engage two UN Volunteers with complementary professional expertise related to the investigation and prosecution of terrorism financing cases. Candidates with substantial practical experience in financial investigations, law enforcement, intelligence analysis, financial intelligence units, prosecution services, judicial proceedings, or related criminal justice functions are encouraged to apply.

The selected UN Volunteers will support the implementation of one-week training courses in Africa under the CFT Programme and contribute their respective areas of expertise to the design, preparation and delivery of training activities. UNOCT particularly welcomes applications from candidates whose backgrounds strengthen the overall balance of investigative, prosecutorial, and linguistic expertise across the two positions

Task description

Under the supervision of a Programme Management Officer from the CFT Programme, the Countering the Financing of Terrorism Expert will serve as trainer in multiple one-week courses, to take place in Africa. The contract may be extended to include trainings for additional Member States, pending satisfactory performance.

In particular, the Countering the Financing of Terrorism Expert will undertake the following tasks:

• Develop training material (PowerPoint presentations, case scenarios, etc.) for the delivery of a one-week courses on countering the financing of terrorism, to be implemented in different locations in Africa. The training course will address topics such as, inter alia, public-private partnerships, financial sanctions, asset freezing, international cooperation, new and emerging technologies, investigating and prosecuting terrorism financing, risk assessments and trends.
• Support the implementation of the training courses through the delivery of technical presentations and the facilitation and moderation of discussions and group exercises.
• Perform other related substantive duties within the scope of the assignment, as required.

Skills and experience

• At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience, including at least five years of directly relevant experience in anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). Candidates should demonstrate substantial practical expertise in either investigative or prosecutorial aspects of terrorism financing cases, including: (i) financial investigations and intelligence analysis; (ii) law enforcement investigations related to terrorism financing, money laundering, or financial crime; (iii) prosecutorial, judicial, or legal proceedings involving terrorism financing or related offences; and/or (iv) the development and implementation of legal, regulatory, policy, or operational CFT frameworks. Candidates with either investigative or prosecutorial backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated experience providing specialized technical assistance and support 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.
• Fluency in English is required, fluency in French is desirable.
• 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.

Desirable
• Previous professional experience in Africa, and demonstrated familiarity with the AML/CFT context there would be a strong asset.
• For the two assignments collectively, UNOCT is particularly interested in attracting candidates with complementary expertise across investigative and prosecutorial functions related to terrorism financing cases.
• Previous professional experience with the United Nations system or another international organization would be an asset

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 UN Volunteer assignment, with expectancies to travel to deliver courses in-person.
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 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
- 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.