Bilingual Legal Advisor

Legal Advisor will assist with the preparation and execution of the CFATF Mutual Evaluation Programme.

Organisation:

The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) is an Organisation of twenty-five States of the Caribbean Basin, which have agreed to implement common countermeasures to address the problem of money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing. The CFATF Secretariat is hosted by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.

The main objective of the CFATF is to achieve effective implementation of and compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations to prevent and control money laundering and to combat the financing of terrorism and proliferation. The CFATF is an FATF Style Regional Body (FSRB) of the FATF which, is the premier inter-governmental organization that sets the standards for preventing money laundering as well as terrorist and proliferation financing. As such, the CFATF plays a critical role in promoting regional compliance with the FATF Recommendations. 

The Secretariat has been established as a mechanism to monitor and encourage AML/CFT/CPF progress to ensure full implementation of the Kingston Declaration on Money Laundering (1992) in which Ministers in the region mandated the establishment of the Secretariat to co-ordinate the implementation of the FATF Recommendations by CFATF member countries.

Job Profile:

The successful candidate must demonstrate strong leadership in delivering reliable, accurate and timely advice to the CFATF, while ensuring the advice is well-informed.  They should possess exceptional management and leadership skills, with the ability to effectively engage with high level government officials, the private sector and international organisations. Proficiency in the area of expertise is essential.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills:

The Legal Advisor should have the following professional experience and qualifications: 

• University Degree (Bachelor) in Law issued by a duly accredited institution and admittance to the Bar. Advanced University Degree (Masters) in Law or other related discipline will be an asset.
• A minimum of three (3) years of AML/CFT experience at the national and/or international level (depending on academic credentials) is required.
• Advanced proficiency in speaking, writing and reading Spanish and English.

More specific requirements include: 

• Comprehensive knowledge of the FATF Recommendations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of regional AML/CFT issues.
• Ability to analyse and interpret laws and regulations
• Extensive knowledge of legal principles and practices
• Knowledge of legal drafting principles and practices, legal research skills and techniques
• Knowledge or ability to research the laws of CFATF Member States
• Skill in negotiations, mediation and arbitration
• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team.
• Ability to interact positively with CFATF Members and others.
• Fluent in speaking, writing and reading English.
• Detail oriented, excellent organizational skills, ability to multi-task under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in Information Systems (Microsoft Office).
• Experience in Mutual Evaluations would be an asset.
• Training as an Assessor in the 4^th Round of AML/CFT Mutual Evaluations would be an asset.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

1. Assisting with the making of technical recommendations to Members regarding interpretation and implementation of the FATF 40 Recommendations, and obligations expressed in relevant international conventions.
2. Assisting with the preparation and execution of the Mutual Evaluation Programme including acting as Mission Leader to assigned jurisdictions when conducting on-site visits and any required High-Level Missions.
3. Assisting with the revision of Draft Reports and Mutual Evaluation Questionnaires, including analysing the data generated from them and preparing related Reports.
4. Preparing all required technical reports (MERs, Follow-up Reports, etc.) for presentation to Plenary.
5. Coordinating the work of assigned Working Groups including agreeing agendas with Chairpersons, providing summary records and distributing relevant documentation; and coordinating and participating in assigned Working Groups and other meetings as required during Plenary sessions.
6. Monitoring progress on Members’ new legislation and international instruments such as mutual legal assistance, including extradition.
7. Maintaining basic library of model laws and treaties relevant to Members.
8. Monitoring global AML-CFT trends and patterns, and the Anti-Money Laundering, Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML-CFT) and Proliferation Financing (PF) developments and initiatives of Members, third countries, and international and regional organizations.
9. Delivering presentations on AML-CFT and PF issues.
10. Assisting with the co-ordination and delivery of Technical Assistance and Training to Members.
11. Assisting with the drafting of CFATF documents.
12. Conducting comparative law reviews.
13. Providing legal advice to the CFATF.
14. Performing such other duties as directed by the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Directors, and the Chief Operating Officer.. 

The post holder will report to the CFATF Deputy Executive Directors.

Duration and Benefits:

Location of the Post: The post holder will be nominally based at the CFATF Secretariat, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The role will require on site visits to CFATF member countries and jurisdictions to undertake the tasks and responsibilities listed above where necessary. 

Contract duration: 3 years with the possibility of renewal.

Compensation: US$53,000 per annum, subject to the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate. Salary will be paid in TT$ equivalent in monthly instalments for nationals of Trinidad and Tobago and in US$ for non-nationals. 

Housing allowance: US$16,000 per annum (if the selected person does not reside in Trinidad and Tobago).

The successful candidate may also be eligible for health insurance benefits.

If the successful candidate is not a national of Trinidad and Tobago, that person will be exempt from any form of direct taxation on salaries and emoluments paid to them.

Working Conditions:

The Secretariat’s working hours are from 8am to 4pm. However, the Legal Advisor (Bilingual) may be required to travel and/or work overtime to meet deadlines as necessary, particularly during periods leading up to CFATF/FATF Plenary meetings.

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position please submit:

1. An application cover letter;
2. A copy of your current Curriculum Vitae including personal contact details;
3. Two letters of reference one of which must relate to your professional ability;
4. A copy of your passport photo/bio-data page;
5. A current police record certificate issued from your country of origin or if different, from the country where you were last employed for two or more years; and
6. Copies of relevant qualifications.

Application Submission:

Interested parties should submit their Curriculum Vitae and the above-named supporting documents as one file.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 1st April 2025