Financial Sector Compliance Advisor (Retainer)
Organizational Context
The Asia Pacific Regional Office oversees UNOPS operations across 17 countries, focusing on strategic leadership and operational excellence. It supports diverse sectors like infrastructure, health, and project management to implement sustainable development solutions. The Private Sector Resilience Project (PSRP) in Afghanistan aims to enhance MSME access to finance and capabilities, with UNOPS as the Principal Implementing Agency.
Job Purpose
The Financial Sector Compliance Advisor, serving on a retainer basis, provides senior technical leadership and policy guidance for the Private Sector Resilience Project (PSRP). This role is crucial for enhancing international compliance standards within Afghanistan's financial sector. The advisor will guide the project team, implementing partners, and financial service providers (FSPs) to improve Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) compliance. The ultimate goal is to lower transaction barriers for exporters and help restore direct international correspondent banking relationships, thereby strengthening the financial ecosystem.
Responsibilities
The role involves serving as the principal technical expert on trade finance and financial systems for the PSRP project, offering expert advice to the Senior Programme Manager and project team. Key duties include leading diagnostic reviews of FSP compliance and risk-management systems, designing capacity-building plans for international financial standards adoption, and supporting Afghan export firms with payment compliance. The advisor will also engage with stakeholders, including the World Bank and IFC, coordinate with other implementing agencies, and review technical documents and deliverables. Furthermore, the position requires overseeing specialized technical assistance, contributing to knowledge sharing, developing training programs, and ensuring gender and social inclusion considerations are integrated into project activities.
Work Experience
A minimum of 7 years of experience is required in trade facilitation, financial sector regulatory reform, business advocacy, or banking compliance. Essential experience includes designing or implementing AML/CFT compliance frameworks, risk assessments, or correspondent banking solutions, and conducting market research and policy analysis for financial sector development. Experience in fragile and conflict-affected contexts, particularly Afghanistan, is desirable.
Skills
Capacity Building, Economic Development, Financial Advisory, Investment Advisory, Market Analysis, Policy Analysis