Counter-Terrorism/Threat Assessment Expert, CON

Position description

Duties and Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the expert will be responsible for (but not limited to) the following duties:

Substantive

• Contribute to the submission of reports on the implementation by Member States of the measures imposed by the Security Council under the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida and 1988 sanctions regimes and make recommendations for improved implementation and possible new measures.
• Contribute to the Monitoring Team’s periodic briefing/assessments on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh), Al Qaida, and the Taliban.
• Prepare and deliver briefings on the sanctions regimes and the Monitoring Team’s activities.
• Contribute to the Monitoring Team’s understanding of the evolution of ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida, and the Taliban and their affiliates and the changing nature of the threat posed by these groups and individuals.
• Produce analysis based on information collated from Member States on ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and the Taliban’s activities on financing, radicalization and recruitment, kidnapping for ransom, their criminal misuse of the Internet and the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
• Consult with Member States and gather information on instances of reported non-compliance of the sanctions measures on behalf of the Committees.
• Undertake confidential consultations with Member States’ intelligence and security services, including in regional forums, following Member States’ procedures and communications channels, in order to facilitate the sharing of information and strengthen implementation of the sanctions measures.
• Work with Member States and relevant international and regional organizations, including UN entities, to promote awareness of, and compliance with, the sanctions measures.
• Assist the Ombudsperson in carrying out his or her mandate.
• Contribute to the reviews of the names on the Sanctions Lists of the Committees, including by bringing new or noteworthy circumstances to the Committee’s attention that may warrant de- listing, and presenting additional identifying and other information to assist the Committees in efforts to keep the Sanctions Lists as updated and accurate as possible.

Organizational

• Contribute to the preparation of the programme of work of the Monitoring Team, including a travel schedule, which will be updated regularly.
• Participate in missions and bilateral consultations to gather information from relevant national authorities, private individuals and entities, civil society, regional and sub-regional organizations and United Nations field presences.
• Draft and follow up on correspondence in his/her areas of responsibility.
• Collate and assess the information obtained, including by sharing written notes and briefs with other members of the Monitoring Team.
• Classify, categorize and archive the materials obtained in the course of the Monitoring Team’s work.
• Submit to the UN Secretariat an End of Assignment Report at the end of the mandate.
• Assume other duties as requested by the Secretariat, as appropriate.

Administrative

• Abide by the rules and regulations of the United Nations, as guided by the Secretary of the Committee, the Chief of the Subsidiary Organs Branch and the Director of the Security Council Affairs Division, among others.

Competencies

Professionalism

• Substantive knowledge of counter-terrorism and sanctions-related issues.
• Demonstrated understanding of ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida and affiliated individuals and entities, their evolution, linkages and changing nature of the threat.
• Strong analytical capacity and research skills.
• Ability to develop sound case studies featuring corroborated information from credible sources, and ability to synthesize this information into a report.
• Ability to work in dynamic and high-pressure situations with conscientiousness and efficiency in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
• Ability to treat sensitive or confidential information appropriately.
• Demonstrated understanding of sanctions regimes in a United Nations, regional organization or Member State setting.
• Proven ability to explain complex issues to senior government officials and members of inter- governmental bodies; ability to tailor language, tone, style and format to match the audience.
• Proven ability to produce reports and papers on technical and policy issues and ability to review and edit the work of others.
• Willingness to travel extensively, including to hazardous locations with difficult security environments.
• The position requires adherence to established United Nations Department of Safety & Security (UN DSS) guidelines and security/operating procedures. The position requires a high level of personal commitment to the Monitoring Team’s mandate and to the United Nations.
• Incorporate gender perspectives in the substantive area of responsibility, in all relevant areas.

Planning and organising

• Proven capacity to plan and execute a work plan, and adapt, as required, to fluid priorities and demands.
• Ability to work independently in a systematic and productive manner. Ability to foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning.

Communications

• Strong oral communication and drafting skills.
• Ability to interact positively with high-level government officials and the diplomatic community.
• Proven ability to defend and explain difficult issues to high-level government officials and the diplomatic community.

Teamwork

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships in a multicultural, multi-ethnic and political work environment.
• Ability to develop consensus among people with varying points of view.
• Supports and acts in accordance with a final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect his/her own position.

Technological awareness

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Ability to use other relevant software (such as photograph management tools and mapping tools), as well as database software to organize, analyse and archive collected materials during investigations is desirable. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks.

Qualifications/special skills

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in security/military/strategic studies, political science, international relations, law, finance, economics, business, accountancy, journalism or other relevant area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

• A minimum of ten years (including a minimum of three years of field experience) of progressively responsible experience in counter-terrorism, risk analysis and threat assessment in international/regional organizations or bodies, government, private sector financial and/or non-financial institutions, and/or security-related professions is required.
• Strong field research or investigative experience in the area of expertise is required.
• Experience in writing high-quality reports is required.
• Proven interpersonal skills in complex, political and structured working environments is required.
• A demonstrated understanding of sanctions regimes in a United Nations, regional organization or Member State setting is highly desirable.
• Experience in working under the rules and regulations of the organization and the working culture and methods of the United Nations Secretariat is highly desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Application instructions

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