Deliverables
a) List of relevant national institutions that collect or have data on the selected IFF-related illegal activities;
b) Data collection tools filled in with information available already to ESCAP/UNODC or collected through official data sources publicly available;
c) Minutes of any meetings and phone calls with national institutions;
d) Summary notes on the results of data availability assessment in the country;
e) Data collection tools filled in with inputs from relevant institutions and with other data not publicly available;
f) Draft selected inputs on training modules to build capacity to measure IFF in the country;
g) Draft selected inputs for the report on the pilot activities by describing the background, the regulatory framework, the institutions participating in the pilot, the status of data availability and the data collected for each illegal activity, as well as providing inputs and suggestions on the areas that need further statistical capacity building and technical assistance efforts;
h) Draft selected inputs for the final pilot report.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
May 2021 - December 2021 with possibility of extension to October 2022 subject to satisfactory performance
The current project is aimed at developing a series of coordinated actions to test and consolidate existing and new methodological guidelines for the measurement of Illicit Financial Flows (IFF) at the national level, with implementation in selected countries of Asia – namely Viet Nam, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The methodology follows the principles of the UNCTAD-UNODC Conceptual Framework for the Statistical Measurement of Illicit Financial Flows and has been developed to assist national statistical offices and other relevant institutions in the measurement and monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Indicator 16.4.1 on IFFs, consistently with the System of National Accounts and the Balance of Payments frameworks. The project is also aimed at providing technical assistance and strengthening national statistical capacities while establishing a sustainable process of data collection and estimates production in the measurement of the value of such illegal activities and in the monitoring of SDG Indicator 16.4.1. The implementing countries will benefit from an increased understanding of the concepts and definitions of illicit financial flows and an enhanced awareness of the risks related to such flows and the importance of their monitoring.
Partners of this project are UNODC, ESCAP and UNCTAD. UNODC will implement methodologies on criminal activities through its Regional Office on Southeast Asia and the Pacific (ROSEAP), assisted also by the Regional Office on South Asia (ROSA). The implementation is planned to start Q2 2021 and to last at least until Q4 2022.
The consultant will work under direct supervision of the Economic and Environment Statistics Section, ESCAP Statistics Division. The consultant will need to coordinate intensively with Regional Consultant of IFF project and UNODC-ROSEAP as well as the UNODC Data Development and Dissemination Section (UNODC-DDDS) and the UNODC-DDDS IFF Project Coordinator.
Purpose of this assignment
The purpose of the assignment is to support and facilitate the implementation of the project in Uzbekistan to conduct pilot studies on the measurement of IFFs, by carrying out a review of the available data and collecting necessary quantitative and qualitative information to estimate inwards and outwards illicit financial flows related to selected illegal market activities (such as drug trafficking, wildlife trafficking, trafficking in persons, counterfeiting). The Consultant will support ESCAP to liaise with National Institutions in Uzbekistan to ensure smooth and timely project roll-out at the national level and will serve as focal point for ESCAP for the institutions in the country. In addition, s/he will provide selected written inputs for a draft report on the results of the pilot activities by describing the background, the regulatory framework, the institutions participating in the pilot, the status of data availability and the data collected for each illegal activity.
Tasks and responsibilities
The main duties and responsibilities assigned to the Consultant are identified as follows:
• Liaise and maintain regular communication with the ESCAP Staff and Consultants;
• Review all available documentation regarding the methodological approach, the statistical framework as well as the data collection tools and other relevant technical documents;
• Conduct desk research and a first data availability check by collecting all relevant data on the country under analysis, as already available to ESCAP/UNODC and national official data sources;
• Support ESCAP in identifying relevant national institutions that may provide relevant data;
• Organize meetings with relevant National Institutions and maintain communication with them;
• Conduct a data availability assessment with the relevant national institutions and collect relevant data;
• Facilitate coordination among relevant national institutions to promote and streamline information exchange;
• Provide selected inputs for the estimate of illegal market values and exploitation type activities as well as the related illicit financial flows;
• Collect feedback from national institutions on the results of the estimation process;
• Participate in expert group, regional and national meetings;
• Support the preparation of training modules and the organization of training sessions;
• Provide selected written inputs for the report on the pilot activities, by describing the background, the regulatory framework, the institutions participating in the pilot, the status of data availability and the data collected for each illegal activity.
• Support ESCAP in the preparation of the final pilot report.
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 professional experience in statistics and/or quantitative research in economics or criminology 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) is required.
• Familiarity with administrative data on crime and criminal justice is required.
• Work experiences with national statistical offices, research or academic institutions are desirable.
• Excellent research skills and proven ability to undertake research in the field of estimating value of illicit markets or illegal financial transactions or money laundering are desirable.
• A track record in research related to economic value of illicit markets and knowledge of existing frameworks adopted by national statistical offices (e.g. the System of National Accounts and the Balance of Payment) is an asset.
• Knowledge of multilateral processes and experience working at an international organization or an internationally recognized think tank is an asset.
Language:
For this position, fluency in English and Russian, including excellent drafting skills is required. Knowledge of other UN official 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.