Result of Service

1) Issue Paper on Organized Fraud finalized.

Work Location

Home-based, with travel to Vienna

Expected duration

1 June 2024 -12 July 2024

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Background of the assignment: Fraud has evolved significantly over the years, adapting to technological advancements and changes in society. It has become increasingly sophisticated, using psychological manipulation and/or technology, often enabled by information and communication technologies, even making use of artificial intelligence and automation. Without understanding the exact nature of the threat, States will continue to struggle in containing the threat emanating from organized fraud. Moreover, without this information, policymakers and other stakeholders cannot make informed decisions in response to organized fraud and identify proper courses of action to respond to or otherwise address organized fraud. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through its Global Programme on Implementing the Organized Crime Convention: from Theory to Practice, has been assisting States in the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Organized Crime Convention) through: adopting or amending legislative instruments and developing and implementing strategies, policies and plans to address transnational organized crime. More specifically, the Global Programme supports States in developing effective legislation, strategies, policies and plans that take into account and integrate different threats, such as the organized fraud, in addressing transnational organized crime, leading to a more just, robust and equitable response to transnational organized crime. Understanding the evolving nature of organized fraud and mainstreaming it across legislation and strategies is of critical importance in order to effectively implement the Organized Crime Convention, as well as to formulate a holistic response against organized crime as a whole. The UNODC Global Programme on Implementing the Organised Crime Convention is looking to develop an Issue Paper on Organized Fraud, which seeks to shed light on organized fraud and identify and assess its different typologies of organized fraud. The Issue Paper will also address key characteristics of organized fraud and organized criminal groups’ involvement in fraud, as well as gaps in knowledge and criminal justice practices as they relate to the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of cases of organized fraud. The Issue Paper will aim at understanding, assessing and proposing ways to reduce organized fraud, including relevant policy recommendations. The Issue Paper will also outline the recommended actions and policy guidelines for preventing and combatting organized fraud. It will encompass actions aimed at building resilience in individuals, businesses, and governments the use of preventative methods, including education, as well as strengthening a coordinated and harmonized action at the State level against organized fraud, through proactive investigation, and effective prosecution, adjudication, confiscation and seizure for offences related to organized fraud. To this end, the Conference Support Section (CSS) of the Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch (OCB) of UNODC is looking for an expert consultant who will be carrying out the necessary research on fraud and organized crime and draft the Issue Paper on Organized Fraud. 2. Purpose of the assignment: The purpose of the assignment is to finalize an Issue Paper on Organized Fraud. In order to inform and support the development of the Issue Paper, and in line with its usual approach, the UNODC Global Programme on Implementing the Organized Crime Convention convened an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) to involve experts and request inputs and feedback from national experts, other United Nations entities, as well as other regional and international organizations. The preliminary findings of the draft Issue Paper were presented during the Global Fraud Summit in the United Kingdom in March 2024, a summit which focused on driving global action on fraud and making tackling it an international recognized priority for governments around the world. 3. Specific tasks to be performed by the consultant: Under the guidance of UNODC Programme Manager, the consultant will perform the following tasks, in accordance with the work plan agreed upon with UNODC: 1) Review and finalize the Issue Paper on the basis of the comments provided by UNODC as well as the experts; 2) Prepare a draft of the background paper on organized fraud for the Working Group of Government Experts on Technical Assistance, to be held from 3 to 4 June 2024.

Qualifications/special skills

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in international law, criminal law, international relations, criminal justice or related field is required. A first level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. • A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience on research in crime prevention and criminal justice is required; • Experience and knowledge of organized crime and/or fraud is desirable; • Knowledge of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime is desirable; • Experience in drafting issue papers, reports, policy papers is desirable; • Experience working for the United Nations or other international organizations is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official languages is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.