ABOUT IDLO
IDLO is the only global intergovernmental organization exclusively devoted to promoting the rule of law to advance peace and sustainable development. IDLO works to enable governments and empower people to reform laws and strengthen institutions to promote peace, justice, sustainable development and economic opportunity. For over 33 years IDLO has supported emerging economies and middle-income countries to strengthen their legal capacity and rule of law framework for sustainable development and economic opportunity. IDLO enjoys Observer Status at the United Nations General Assembly. Its headquarters are in Rome, with a Branch Office in The Hague, liaison offices for the United Nations in New York and Geneva, and Country Offices in Afghanistan, Honduras, Indonesia, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Somalia, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Uganda, and Ukraine.
ABOUT FINANCIAL REPORTING CENTER
The Financial Reporting Centre (FRC) was established under Article 20 (1) of Somalia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act of 2016 to serve as Somalia’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) responsible for receiving, requesting, analyzing and appropriately disseminating information concerning money laundering and terrorist financing.
The role of the FRC is to help rebuild the trust in the Somali financial system and promote the confidence level of international banks and governments in the Banks and Money Transfer Businesses (MTBs) that operate in Somalia by preventing Banks and MTBs from being used for money laundering and terrorism financing. The FRC does this by:
- Issuing regulations, providing guidance and feedback to relevant ministries and agencies as well as reporting entities in AML/CFT regime.
- Designing and implementing compliance monitoring and enforcement systems for sectors that lack designated supervisory authorities.
- Imposing proportionate, dissuasive, and effective administrative sanctions and penalties.
- Representing the country in national, regional, and global meetings, forums, and organizations that focus on AML.CFT issues.
- Signing and implementing a memorandum of understanding and other agreements with foreign financial intelligence units.
THE ASSIGNMENT
IDLO under the FRC Technical Support Project is providing targeted assistance and support to the FRC including the provision of several mentors to strengthen the capacity of the FRC to regulate the financial sector and function as an effective and high-performing FIU capable of detecting, preventing, and deterring money laundering and terrorist financing in Somalia’s financial systems.
IDLO is seeking to recruit a Legal Expert that will be recruited into and embedded within the Financial Reporting Centre’s Office in Mogadishu for an initial duration of 12 months with the possibility of further extension subject to performance and availability of funding. She/he will work under the primary supervision of the Director of the FRC and will:
- Provide competent, sound, accurate, and timely legal advice, opinions, and legal support to the FRC;
- Draft, review, and vet contracts, agreements, and other legal documents;
- Draft legal and regulatory documents in conformity with local and international requirements;
- Review FRC policies, guidelines, and procedures to ensure that they are in conformity with the existing legislation;
- Provide legal assistance to other divisions of the FRC including the Compliance and Investigations teams as and when required;
- Formulate proposals for amendments of legislations and regulations relating to the functions of the FRC and the National Anti-Money Laundering Committee, and prepare guidelines and guidance notes;
- Draft regulations and set anti-money laundering policies in consultation with the National Anti-Money Laundering Committee;
- Assist in the drafting of documents relating to domestic and international cooperation;
- Follow up on the progress of court cases, assist and liaise with legal counsels representing the FRC in Court proceedings where the FRC is involved;
- Undertake legal research and assist on legal issues relating to money laundering and terrorist financing;
- Contribute to the development and implementation of relevant legal strategies and plans; and
- If requested, participate in meetings with external stakeholders; and
- Prepare a variety of written outputs and file monthly reports concerning the work and performed activities (legal reports).
- Perform other work-related duties as required.
IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE
Education/Work experience
- A Master’s degree in Law (LLM) or Combined law and Business Administration (MBA) from a recognized institution will be an added advantage; and
- A minimum of 5-8 years of relevant professional legal experience.
Specific knowledge, skills, and competencies
- Exceptional legal drafting skills;
- Good litigation and negotiation skills;
- Good critical and analytical skills;
- Strong verbal and written communication skills;
- Demonstrate professional competence in work performance;
- Knowledge of all applicable laws, rules, and regulations
- Mentoring, coaching, and leadership skills;
- High attention to detail;
- High level of discretion, judgment and integrity, and ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality;
- Good interpersonal and negotiation skills;
- Proficiency in computer applications and.
- Ability to live, work, and travel in Somalia.
Languages
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
- Fluency in Somali is desirable.
DISCLAIMER AND CLOSING DATE
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Contractor assigned to this work. This may not be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality and in compliance with IDLO’s policy on personal data protection.
The Director-General of IDLO reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities or even to cancel the recruitment to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.
Application deadline: 14 December 2021 (23:59hrs Rome Time).