Anti-Financial Crime & Financial Crime Compliance
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Executive Secretary, Financial Action Task Force Secretariat – Paris

About the role

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries, that works to build better policies for better lives. Our mission is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.  Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an independent inter-governmental body established by the G7 in Paris in 1989, whose Secretariat is provided by the OECD. It is the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog. It researches how criminals launder money and terrorists raise and access funds; importantly, it sets global standards to mitigate those risks; it assesses, and oversees through the Global Network of FATF-Style Regional Bodies, the action taken by more than 200 jurisdictions to meet these Standards; and it provides training and support to officials from those jurisdictions. The FATF, through the Secretariat, Executive Secretary and President, works in close partnership with the G20, United Nations, IMF, World Bank, OECD and other international organisations and bodies.

The FATF is looking for its Executive Secretary to lead the FATF Secretariat, advise the FATF President, and be responsible to the FATF Plenary as its governing body, for delivering the FATF Work Plan in accordance with the FATF Mandate agreed by the Ministers of its 39 member jurisdictions. The FATF Secretariat provides advice and supports a diverse membership, including all G20 member countries and most OECD member countries, on a range of highly complex and politically sensitive matters of global security at the top of the international agenda.

The FATF Secretariat currently comprises approximately 70 staff, made up of several teams based at the OECD in Paris, and a Training Institute based in the Republic of Korea.

The FATF Executive Secretary will ensure compliance of the FATF Secretariat with OECD Staff Regulations, administrative, financial and institutional policies and procedures; work closely with the Office of the OECD Secretary-General (OSG) ; and promote collaboration across the OECD in areas of mutual interest as agreed upon.

This vacancy is open to nationals of OECD member countries and of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) member jurisdictions. A list of members of FATF can be found on the FATF website:  http://www.fatf-gafi.org/pages/aboutus/membersandobservers/.

Main Responsibilities

The Executive Secretary will be charged to undertake a suite of responsibilities, described hereafter.

Leadership

  • Provide strategic direction and leadership to the work of the FATF Secretariat, including its work on research and policy development, the evaluation and monitoring of all countries worldwide, and the training and support of officials from those countries.
  • Provide advice and support to members,  the FATF President, and host regular meetings of the FATF Steering Group for this purpose. This includes regular advice on a range of high profile and highly sensitive, geopolitical issues with national security implications and posing global risks to safety and security, from organised crime and terrorism to the integrity of the international financial system , as well as the financing of weapons of mass destruction.
  • Develop, strengthen and raise the profile of the FATF as an intergovernmental body in the G7 and G20, and in the media.
  • Promote the highest standards of  governance and transparency for the FATF, ensuring adherence to best practice, and robust and transparent governance principles by the FATF and its leadership; and encourage and drive best practice in governance of the FATF-Style Regional Bodies, many of whom are independent international organisations that use the FATF brand.
  • Actively monitor and manage risks to the FATF brand, and other high profile and high impact risks, including through the activities of the FATF Global Network.
  • Be the G7 and G20 Deputy for the FATF; supporting and advising the FATF President; overseeing the coordination of FATF representation in the meetings and work of those forums; personally representing the FATF in meetings of G7 and G20 Deputies and Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors; and continuing to build on and develop the role of the FATF as a key delivery partner for the G20.
  • Oversee and ensure successful delivery of multiple large and high profile events, including  meetings of 5 FATF Working Groups and of the Plenary three times a year; bi-annual meetings of Ministers; annual meetings of the FATF Private Sector Consultative Forum; Joint Experts Meetings, and other regular and ad hoc multilateral meetings and forums.

Global relations and coordination

  • Lead the development of relationships with other international organisations, non-member countries, the private sector and civil society.
  • Oversee and coordinate the activities of the FATF Global Network, that today includes the assessment of more than 200 jurisdictions against the FATF Standards, by the FATF, 9 FATF-Style Regional Bodies and the IMF.
  • Oversee and ensure effective engagement and coordination with partners, including the United Nations, IMF, World Bank, FSB, Interpol, Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, and others.
  • Continue to strengthen collaboration within the OECD, building on and developing effective coordination and cooperation in areas of common interest, including through the Secretary-General’s G20 Sherpa Office, and with other Directorates.

Cooperation and communications

  • Cooperate with Heads of delegation, Ambassadors and other representatives of member and non-member countries alike, FATF-Style Regional Bodies, other international organisations, and with the private sector and civil society.
  • Be an effective spokesperson for the FATF with the media, academia and industry, including speaking at high profile conferences and events, and in support of the FATF President as the principle spokesperson for the FATF.
  • Oversee the development and delivery of all FATF outreach activity and internal and external communications, including providing support to the President and Vice President,  to effectively promote and communicate the work of the FATF and build the FATF brand.
  • Oversee communications-related capability development, including building the skills and capacity of the Secretariat, to respond to and actively use the media and other channels to advance the work of the FATF.

Management

  • Lead and oversee the development and delivery of the FATF budget and work plan, in compliance with OECD administrative rules and procedures.
  • Be accountable to the OECD for the management of FATF Secretariat staff and the decentralised budget appropriations and voluntary contributions allocated to the Financial Action Task Force, in accordance with the OECD rules and procedures.
  • Build and lead a cohesive, multicultural and multidisciplinary team, promoting excellence, inclusion and diversity through selection, effective performance management and professional development of staff. Promote a culture of management excellence and ensure a caring environment, where senior managers promote respect and support staff in developing their full potential.
  • Ensure organisational and operational arrangements are in place to provide reasonable assurance that the provisions of the OECD Staff Regulations, Rules and Instructions and the Financial Regulations, Instructions, Procedures and relevant guidance are met.
  • Adhere to and promote the highest professional standards and the ethical principles of the OECD’s Code of Conduct in all internal and external matters.
  • Lead fund raising activity and ensure sound financial management practices to ensure the financial stability of all FATF activities, including through obligatory member fees and voluntary contributions from member countries.
  • Take ownership of the risks for which the Executive Secretary has been identified as ‘Risk Owner” in the OECD’s Risk Register, and the corresponding mitigation measures identified therein.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

  • An advanced university degree in a relevant discipline (law, economics, political science or others).

Professional Background

  • Extensive experience of senior management and leadership roles, including the ability to manage different stakeholders, set and deliver on priorities and organise staff to achieve this, manage resources well, evaluate the financial impact of decisions, develop strategies to address financial resource issues, motivate and manage several teams and a large staff across a high-performing, multidisciplinary and multinational organisation.
  • Strong knowledge of the AML/CFT international framework and its major challenges, proven expertise in the AML/CFT field and experience dealing with public and private stakeholders in AML/CFT
  • Several years of senior-level experience in dealing with policy issues, preferably in a national administration/authority or international organisation.
  • A proven record of good diplomatic and negotiating skills at senior level and within both a technical and political decision-making environment.
  • A proven track record of managing a complex programme of work and budget within a diverse international organisation would be an advantage.
  • Excellent analytical skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary manner in a multicultural setting.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills and the ability to interact confidently with various audiences, including the media. Ability to build support across member and partner countries and organisations for better policies, on the basis of evidence-based analysis.

Languages

  • Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and knowledge of the other, with a commitment to  attaining  a good working level proficiency.
  • Knowledge of other languages would be an asset.

Core Competencies

  • For this role, the following competencies would be particularly important: Managing resources, Achievement focus, Analytical and strategic thinking, Client focus, Diplomatic sensitivity, Influencing, Organisational knowledge, Teamwork and team leadership, Developing talent and Strategic networking.
  • Please refer to the level 5 indicators of the OECD Core Competencies.

Contract Duration

  • Three-year fixed term appointment, with the possibility of renewal.

What the OECD offers

  • Monthly base salary starting from 12 162 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
  • Click here to learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.
  • Click here to browse our People Management Guidebook and learn more about all aspects relating to people at the OECD, our workplace environment and many other policies supporting staff in their daily life.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of OECD member countries or FATF member countries, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities.

The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.

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