LEGAL RESEARCHER, MEXICO - MEXICO | RELIEFWEB

About The Basel Institute on Governance is an independent non-profit organisation working across sectors to counter corruption and related financial crimes and to improve the quality of governance.
Registered as a Swiss foundation with headquarters in Basel, the Institute works globally to advance knowledge, practice and policy on anti-corruption, asset recovery and business integrity.
With field operations worldwide, it has some 130 staff from 28 nationalities.
The Basel Institute is an Associated Institute of the University of Basel.
The International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) is a specialised centre at the Basel Institute that works together with partner countries to strengthen their capacities to recover illicit assets.
We place particular emphasis on hands-on mentoring on investigation methods and confiscation and prosecution strategies, as well as international cooperation.
The aim is two-fold.
to build capacity and effectively progress cases to the stage of recovery.
We also develop and deliver tailor-made training; support legislative and institutional reform processes; and work with other international organisations to advance innovation and global policy dialogue on asset recovery.
Money Laundering Investigations Mexico ICAR is a member of a consortium project, led by the Pan-American Development Foundation (PADF), that seeks to improve the quality of money laundering investigations among Mexican authorities, primarily at the state level.
The overall project goal is that the Mexican State’s financial intelligence and investigation personnel conduct effective money laundering investigations and prosecutions to provide sufficient and compelling evidence to prosecute and judicialise money laundering cases, increasing the number, significance and likelihood of convictions of those responsible for the crimes.
ICAR will lead the assessment of the capacity of relevant authorities in seven to eight states to prevent, investigate and prosecute money laundering cases.
This assessment will serve as the basis for anti-money laundering (AML) training modules to be implemented under Objective 2 of the project (which focuses on improving AML investigations).
In addition, as required, ICAR will lend its expertise to Objective 1 of the project (which focuses on improving AML intelligence generation), specifically with regard to best practices and training to the Unidades de Inteligencia Patrimonial y Economia (UIPEs) and other AML stakeholders.
In addition, ICAR expects to assist authorities with the development of tools, guides and methodologies for complex money laundering investigations and organise best practice-oriented seminars, to facilitate knowledge sharing among practitioners.
The project is funded by the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and runs until 28 February .
Job description The Legal Researcher will work alongside the Mexico-based Senior Specialist, Asset Recovery in the delivery of this project, which includes a research and analysis component and a training and knowledge sharing component.
The Legal Researcher will assist in the preparation of situational assessments of selected UIPEs and other agencies involved in the investigation, prosecution and trial of crimes related to money laundering and predicate offences.
The work will involve open source research, analysis of state and federal legislation and analysis of information gathered through field interviews, as well as contributing to the drafting of the assessments.
The assessments aim to assess the effectiveness of the UIPEs and other agencies, as a basis for proposing strategies for improvements in line with good practices and international standards that will ultimately enhance effectiveness in combating money laundering and increasing asset recovery whether through criminal or civil means.
Under the training and knowledge sharing component, the Legal Researcher will assist the Senior Specialist, Asset Recovery and other team members of ICAR with training preparation as well as the organisation and delivery of two peer learning events.
Key responsibilities Support the ICAR project team in carrying out the capacity assessment of UIPEs in selected states.
Support the ICAR project team with the organisation and delivery of trainings and knowledge sharing events for staff from UIPEs and other agencies.
As relevant, assist with establishing and maintaining contacts with competent authorities in a selected number of states for the purpose of achieving project objectives.
Relevant authorities include.
The State Attorney General’s Offices, Superior Court of Justice, Secretariats of Public Security, Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and UIPEs; As relevant/where instructed, assist the ICAR project team with the development of tools, guides and methodologies related to the work performed by UIPEs in the selected states.
Support the ICAR project team with reporting and other aspects of project documentation.
Other tasks might apply, as directed by the programme of work and the Mexico-based Senior Specialist, Asset Recovery.
Qualifications and skills University degree or equivalent in law.
At least 3 to 5 years of practical, academic or equivalent experience related to prosecuting financial crimes, particularly offenses involving money laundering and the Mexican equivalent, Operaciones con Recursos de Procedencia Ilícita (ORPI).
Knowledge of criminal confiscation, asset recovery and civil asset forfeiture (Extinción de dominio) is also required, potentially gained through relevant experience in public institutions such as the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Judiciary, or Attorney General's Offices at the federal or state level.
Familiarity with the application of international standards relevant to these matters, particularly those of the EGMONT Group and other specialised organisations in the field of financial crime, anti-money laundering and asset recovery.
Relevant experience to analyse jurisprudence and legal doctrine is an advantage.
Proficient in MS Office and research methodologies; excellent written skills.
Strong social skills necessary for integration into a multidisciplinary team of professionals.
Proactivity.
Fluency in Spanish; proficiency in English is an advantage.
How to apply Offer We offer an interesting and rewarding working environment with a proactive, dynamic and international team spirit.
The work is both routine and varied, and offers scope for initiative and innovation.
The salary is competitive.
Application Please submit your application at your earliest convenience, but no later than 13 December , using the following link.
https://intranet.
asel.
nstitute/job/apply/38.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
For further information about this position, please contact.
Equal opportunity employer The Basel Institute is an equal opportunity employer.
It does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law.
All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.