Expected tangible and measurable output(s):
A. Identify and produce a list of institutions and other relevant counterparts for every country participating in the pilot activities;
B. Organize a kick-off meeting with pilot countries;
C. Contribute to refining the existing methodological guidelines to measure IFFs;
D. Finalize the production of the new instructions for pilots;
E. Improve existing data availability assessment and data collection tools;
F. Finalize new data availability assessment and data collection tools in line with existing methodological guidelines;
Home-based
May 2021 - December 2021 with possibility of extension to October 2022 subject to satisfactory performance
Every year, billions of dollars of illicit financial flows (IFFs) stemming from organized crime, trade in illegal goods, corruption and illegal and illicit tax and commercial practices move across borders. By eroding the tax base and discouraging public and private investment, they hamper structural transformation and threaten countries’ ability to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. IFFs can stem from illegal markets, corruption, exploitation-type activities and illicit tax and commercial activities. Many forms of crimes are associated with IFFs. Effectively countering IFFs is not only essential to combat organized crime and terrorism, but it is also central for limiting the erosion of resources that crimes are draining from many developing and developed countries. IFFs are also critical enablers for other forms of crime (whether organized or not), such as corruption and tax evasion.
Quantitative evidence on IFFs is still poor but important progress has been made in statistical activities related to the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicators framework. The framework identifies indicator 16.4.1 total value of inward and outward illicit financial flows (in current United States dollars) as the global metric to monitor target 16.4 ("By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime"), together with another indicator on illicit firearms trafficking. The UN General Assembly, approved the SDG indicator framework in July 2017, tasking custodian agencies, including UNODC and UNCTAD to develop a methodology to measure IFFs that can be used by national statistical authorities. In October 2019, the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEG-SDGs) approved a methodological proposal by UNODC and UNCTAD, reclassifying the indicator to Tier II. In October 2020, UNODC and UNCTAD published a conceptual framework for the statistical measurement of IFFs. Pilot activities are currently being conducted in Latin America and Africa to test statistical methods to compute IFFs. In 2020, UNODC, UNCTAD, and ESCAP started a new project aimed at consolidating existing methodology to measure IFFs to be tested in selected countries of Asia and the Pacific.
The purpose of the assignment is to facilitate the implementation of a regional project to support countries of the Asia-Pacific region to conduct pilot studies on the measurement of IFFs in the region and to support and facilitate beneficiary countries in conducting such activities.
The Consultant will support the Economic and Environment Statistics Section, ESCAP Statistics Division to implement the IFFs project. The work will be conducted under the overall supervision of the Director of ESCAP Statistics Division. Furthermore, the Consultant will need to coordinate intensively with UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific (UNODC ROSEAP) for the activities to be undertaken at the regional level.
The main duties and responsibilities are to be as follows:
• Identify and establish contact with relevant national counterparts in countries participating in pilot studies;
• Organize and monitor project implementation in beneficiary countries and ensure smooth roll out of pilot activities;
• Liaise with and supervise National Consultants in beneficiary countries to ensure smooth and timely project roll-out;
• Coordinate closely and maintain regular communication with UNODC ROSEAP staff on the activities at the regional level and the national workshops and meetings;
• Participate in Expert Group Meetings and national workshops in each participating country for discussing, clarifying and piloting the methodological guidelines to measure IFFs associated with criminal activities;
• Keep close communication and provide feedback to relevant national counterparts in countries participating in pilot studies;
• With ESCAP, ROSEAP and DDDS, contribute to the development of instructions for the pilot studies in Asia and the Pacific to test the estimation methodology for the IFF indicator 16.4.1, with a focus on illicit tax and commercial activities based on the conceptual framework and draft UNCTAD methodological guidelines on tax and commercial IFFs.
• Contribute to defining methods, data requirements and sources for the pilot activities to measure the magnitude and destination of IFFs from different illegal activities, focusing on tax and commercial IFFs.
• Contribute to the development of templates and data collection protocols to gather, validate and process data for the implementation of the statistical model in the pilot countries/regions.
• Produce training materials and documentation on the progress of pilot activities.
Academic Qualifications:
Advanced university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in economics, econometrics, statistics, criminology, or in a related field is required.
Experience:
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in quantitative research or statistics on topics related to international trade, economy, non-observed economy, tax issues, economic crime and/or other illicit activities is required.
• Demonstrated analytical, research, writing and communication skills are required.
• Experience in managing data and proficiency with statistical software (Excel, Stata, R or Python) are required.
• Ability to undertake research in the field of estimating the value of illicit markets or illegal financial transactions or money laundering are desirable.
• Knowledge of existing frameworks adopted by national statistical offices (e.g. the System of National Accounts and the Balance of Payment) are desirable.
• A track record in project management is required.
• Work experience with national or international statistical offices, research or academic institutions is desirable.
• Knowledge of multilateral processes and experience working at an international organization or an internationally recognized think tank is desirable.
• Specialized knowledge on challenges related to illicit financial flows, non-observed economy or illegal activities in Asia and the Pacific, including Central Asia would be an asset.
Language:
For this position, fluency in English and Russian, including excellent drafting skills is required. Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.
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.