Regional Advisor on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism – Latin America and the Caribbean - LEGF1

Work for the IMF. Work for the World.

The Legal Department (LEG) of the International Monetary Fund (the Fund) is seeking to recruit a Regional Advisor—referred to as a Long-Term Expert (LTX)—in financial integrity matters, including anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) to support LEG’s financial integrity work, with a focus on Capacity Development (CD) to member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The LTX will be based in Barbados. Travel to Fund member countries is expected.

The Fund is an international organization with a membership of 191 countries. The Fund’s Legal Department aims – among others- at promoting and preserving global financial integrity which is essential to the Fund in carrying out its mandate.

In fulfilling its mission, LEG provides top-quality, professional advice to the Fund's Board of Governors, Executive Board, management and staff, and to the authorities of member countries on Fund law and policy, financial integrity issues, Fund related administrative issues, and domestic legal and operational policy issues relevant to the Fund's mandate. The Legal Department employs mainly Counsels and Financial Sector Experts.

LEG’s financial integrity work is conducted through two divisions under the direct oversight of the General Counsel and Director of the Legal Department. The successful candidate will be assigned to one of the divisions.

The Fund's Legal Department offers a unique opportunity to contribute to strengthening and fostering global, regional and country efforts in financial integrity, including AML/CFT, with a view to promoting the integrity of the international financial system.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the oversight of the General Counsel and Director of the Legal Department, direct supervision of the Head and Deputy Head(s) of the Division to which the successful candidate will be assigned, with the assistance of a headquarters-based backstopper and the CARTAC Director, the LTX’s responsibilities will include the following:
• Providing, managing, and coordinating CD in the area of financial integrity, including AML/CFT, to Fund member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean ;
• Providing CD advisory services to member countries; advising on financial integrity issues, such as conducting needs and risk assessments; drafting and advising on AML/CFT frameworks and strategies, and supervision;
• Participating in LEG missions (either alone, with LEG headquarters-based staff, or with short-term experts) and providing offsite advice;
• Participating in AML/CFT assessment missions, and managing and carrying out related pre-assessment research, post- mission work, and reviews;
• Organizing, conducting, and facilitating workshops and/or seminars on relevant topics for officials of IMF member countries (both at the country and regional levels) including workshops organized by Fund training facilities in Latin America and the Caribbean, or by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the World Bank, the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force, or the Financial Action Task Force of Latin America (GAFILAT);
• Preparing required documents prior to and after each mission for LEG internal review and approval and ensuring transmission of final documents to member country authorities;
• Preparing regular reports for pertinent LEG Headquarters-based staff on ongoing activities and contributing to an annual report on AML/CFT CD activities;
• Liaising, as applicable, with Fund resident advisors, technical assistance centers coordinators, and resident representatives in member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean on financial integrity-related issues;
• Liaising and coordinating on relevant projects with other CD providers working in member countries; and
• Carrying out other assignments as instructed by the Head or Deputy Head(s) of the Division to which the LTX is assigned.
• The LTX will strictly observe the Code of Conduct included in the Long-Term Expert Handbook of the Fund and exercise utmost discretion and confidentiality regarding all matters of official business.

  Qualifications

  • Candidates will have a relevant academic background, including an advanced degree in law, economics, finance, international relations, business administration, governance, financial sector issues or a related field. They will also have a minimum of six years of relevant professional level experience and an in-depth knowledge of and at least four years of direct professional experience with financial integrity issues, including experience at the national or international level, preferably within a national government or an international organization, a specialized domestic entity such as a financial intelligence unit or an AML/CFT supervisor or regulator, with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) or a FATF-style regional body (FSRB), or with a private sector entity, such as a bank.
  • Candidates should possess a deep understanding and practice of financial integrity and AML/CFT issues and architecture at an international level, and a solid knowledge of Fund policies related to surveillance, conditionality and CD. Familiarity with AML/CFT related topics such as correspondent banking pressures, FinTech and virtual assets, transparency of beneficial ownership, illicit financial flows, governance and anti‑corruption, and assessing risks (including gathering, using, and interpreting data) would be an advantage.
  • In addition to quality education and experience, this position requires excellent oral and written communication skills in English. The ability to speak Spanish is essential. Other requirements include strong analytical and time management skills; sound judgment; diplomatic skills necessary to liaise with senior government officials; an ability to develop strong relationships with peers (including as part of inter‑disciplinary teams), country counterparts and international organizations; and excellent skills at working collaboratively with colleagues at all levels and of different cultural backgrounds.
  • In applying for this assignment, candidates should be prepared to reside in Barbados and to travel frequently to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Daily interaction and close pro-active cooperation with colleagues in Washington D.C, as well as occasional travel to IMF headquarters in D.C. will also be required.

    Other information

    • This vacancy shall be filled by a 1-year contractual appointment with possible extensions contingent upon several factors including availability of funding, continued demand, and satisfactory performance.
    • All applicants are expected to include a Statement of Interest as an attachment to the application, which may be used in the screening process for this vacancy.
    • It is expected that while the position is advertised at the full grade band, it will be filled at the lower level.

      Department:LEGF1 Legal Department Financial Integrity Division 1

      Hiring For: A11, A12, A13, A14

      The IMF is guided by the principle that the employment, classification, promotion, and assignment of staff shall be made without discrimination against any person. We welcome requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities during the selection process. Information on how to request accommodations will be provided during the application process.