Customs and export controls expert

Job title:

Customs and export controls expert

Company

United Nations

Job description

The Panel of Experts established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1874 (2009) (“the Panel”) consists of eight experts with demonstrated substantive knowledge, experience and skills in areas relevant to the implementation of the sanctions regime. The Panel’s mandate is established and can be renewed or terminated by the Security Council. The Panel acts under the direction of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) (“1718 Committee”).

The Expert will serve with the Panel reporting to the Sanctions Committee and the Security Council. The Expert comes under the overall guidance and management of the Security Council Subsidiary Organs Branch of the Security Council Affairs Division of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, specifically, of the Secretary of the concerned Security Council Committee, the Chief of the Branch and the Director of the Security Council Affairs Division. The work of the Panel is facilitated by a Coordinator who is also an expert on the Panel.

For more information about the Panel, including its reports and other relevant materials, please see:
https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1718/panel_experts/work_mandate

Work Location

New York

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

With delegated authority, the the customs and export controls expert will be responsible for (but not limited to) the following duties:

Substantive

• To contribute to the monitoring of sanctions measures and investigation of alleged sanctions violations as mandated by Security Council resolutions related to the DPRK in his/her area of expertise;
• To participate in investigations of alleged violations of the sanctions regime and contribute to reporting thereon through investigative reports, interim and final reports of the Panel to the Security Council, as well as any periodic briefing/reporting as requested by the Committee;
• To contribute to the preparation of recommendations by the Panel for improved implementation of the Security Council resolutions related to the DPRK, based on the Panel’s investigations, country visits and outreach activities;
• To contribute to the compilation of information on individuals and entities that may engage in sanctions violations;
• To prepare and deliver briefings and presentations on the sanctions regime and the Panel’s activities;
• To provide updated information and compile new information on sanctions violations, including any information relevant to the designation of individuals for a travel ban and individuals and entities for an assets freeze, if applicable;
• To provide the Panel with an analysis of national, regional and international political developments and dynamics relevant to the mandate of the Panel, and include the latter in reports, as well as other updates, as necessary;
• To assist in identifying areas where the capacities of States can be strengthened to enhance the implementation of the sanctions regime;
• To contribute to reports that adhere to a high standard of evidence and rigorous methodology;
• To provide due process to Member States, entities and individuals to respond to allegations and findings when conducting investigations; and
• To assume other duties as mandated by the Security Council and/or directed by the Committee.

Organizational

• To contribute to the preparation of a programme of work of the Panel of Experts, including a travel schedule, which will be updated regularly;
• To participate in investigative missions and bilateral consultations to gather information from government authorities, private individuals and entities, civil society, regional and sub-regional organizations and United Nations field presences;
• To draft and follow up on correspondence in his/her areas of responsibility;
• To collate and assess the information obtained, including by sharing written notes and briefs with other Panel members;
• To classify, categorize and archive the materials obtained in the course of the Panel of Experts’ investigation; and
• To submit to the UN Secretariat an End of Assignment Report at the end of the mandate.

Administrative

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

Competencies:

The expert will be responsible for analysing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) trade activities as they relate to the sanctions regime, as well as assessing developments in national, regional and global export control and customs regulations and their implications for the DPRK in this regard. The expert will monitor relevant national export control lists and identify current vulnerabilities of those lists based on cases investigated by the Panel (e.g. trade in items just below the specifications in relevant control lists). The expert will be responsible for investigating alleged cases of non-compliance and techniques used by the DPRK to evade customs regulations, among others.

The expert will further be responsible for researching cargo, luggage and baggage inspection routines and related risk assessment systems used by national customs administrations and other national authorities. In addition, the expert will be responsible for analyzing emerging best practices and pilot projects which involve standard-setting bodies such as the World Customs Organisation (WCO). The expert should be able to evaluate and assess implementation of relevant provisions of the sanctions regime.

To be selected, the expert will have to demonstrate substantive knowledge and experience in the area of national and international customs and export control rules, regulations and practices, as well as cargo inspection and inspection risk assessment systems. The expert will have to demonstrate good working knowledge of best practice cargo inspection risk assessment practices as well as various WCO standards and pilot projects. First-hand experience in customs, export control and sanctions is highly desirable. First-hand experience in conducting investigations is highly desirable. Experience in working with relevant international organisations or arrangements is desirable.

In addition to the specific qualifications, the expert will have to demonstrate the following competencies.

Professionalism

• Knowledge of sanctions-related issues and developments in the DPRK;
• Substantive knowledge and field experience in the area of expertise;
• Strong analytical capacity and research skills;
• Ability to develop a sound investigative case study featuring corroborated information from credible sources, and ability to synthesize this information into an easily-readable case study which can be incorporated into a Panel report;
• Ability to treat sensitive or confidential information appropriately;
• Ability to work independently and resist political pressures;
• Ability to work under pressure and in dynamic situations; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Knowledge of the United Nations’ institutional structure, mandates, policies and rules, as well as its relationships with regional organizations, Member States and other international partners;
• Willingness to travel extensively, including in difficult environments;
• 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.

Teamwork

• Excellent interpersonal skills and 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;
• Ability to support and act in accordance with a final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect his/her own position.

Communications

• Strong oral communication and drafting skills;
• Ability to interact positively with high-level government officials and the diplomatic community.

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 archive and organize 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 military/strategic studies, political science, international relations, relevant technical field 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.

Work experience

• A minimum of ten years (including a minimum of three years of field experience) of progressively responsible experience in the relevant field is required;
• Strong field research or investigative experience in the area of expertise is required;
• Experience in writing high-quality reports is required;
• Experience working in a complex political environment within a national, regional or international setting is required;
• A demonstrated understanding of sanctions regimes in a United Nations, regional organization or Member State setting is desirable;
• Experience in working under the rules and regulations of the organization and the working culture and methods of the United Nations Secretariat is desirable.

Languages

• Fluency and demonstrated drafting and speaking ability in English is required;
• Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage;
• Knowledge of languages relevant to the Northeast Asia region is an advantage.

Additional Information

Geographical diversity is a strong consideration. Women are particularly encouraged to apply. Candidates are encouraged to apply to the Security Council Affairs Division Pool of Experts. Candidates registered in the Pool of Experts are available for consideration whenever relevant opportunities arise. They will be contacted directly by the relevant team using the email address provided in the PHP submitted when applying to the Pool. Candidates who have joined the Pool should also actively apply to sanctions expert vacancy announcements posted In Inspira and on this website. Candidates interested in becoming members of the Pool of Experts can apply at the following URL: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/226512?language=en. For more information, please see: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/Pool_of_Experts.

Candidates should list all work experience and diplomas in the relevant part of the application. Work experience and diplomas only mentioned in the cover letter will not be considered for screening purposes. Statements must include concrete start and end dates, detailed description of tasks and achievements and whether the experience was obtained in full-time or part-time. Candidates should note that eligibility and fees will be decided based on their submitted application only. There is no option to revise an application after submission.

An appointment shall not be granted to a person who is the father, mother, son, daughter, brother, or sister, including step-parents, step-children, and step-siblings of a staff member.

No Fee

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.

Expected salary

Location

New York City, NY

Job date

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 02:20:30 GMT

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