Expert/Consultant for implementation of a training seminar on countering financial pyramids, Economic and Environmental Dimension
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Vacancy
JOB TITLE: Expert/Consultant for implementation of a training seminar on countering financial pyramids, Economic and Environmental Dimension
ORGANIZATION NAME: OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan (POiN)
LOCATION: Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
VACANCY TYPE: Experts/Consultants
FIELD OF EXPERTISE: countering financial crime and financial pyramid schemes
CLOSING DATE OF APPLICATION: 31 May 2020 - 23:59 Central European Time (CET/CEST)
Background
This vacancy notice is aimed at identifying an expert with in-depth knowledge of and experience in the field of fighting financial crime and specifically, countering financial pyramid schemes (Ponzi schemes). This vacancy notice also aims to update the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan roster of experts/consultants. The successful applicant will be included in the POiN roster, with the possibility of being contacted in case of an assignment, for which he/she possesses relevant qualifications. Inclusion into the roster does not carry any commitment by the OSCE to use the services of the expert.
According to the Department of Internal and External Relations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan, in just eight months of 2019, 14 criminal cases were initiated in accordance with Article 217 of the Criminal Code “Creating and Managing a Financial (Investment) Pyramid”. In 2017, 63 such cases were initiated, and in 2018 - 103. In criminal cases completed in 2017-2019, the total damage caused amounted to more than 8.3 billion tenge (6.3 billion tenge in 2017, 1, 9 billion tenge - in 2018 and 148 million tenge - for 8 months of 2019). Of these 8.3 billion tenge, only 400 million tenge was reimbursed to the victims, which is less than 5% of the total damage.
Since not all depositors who have lost money reach out to police, the amount of damage caused to citizens may be even higher. At the same time, according to the estimates of the lawyers of the victims, only one financial pyramid often collects more than 1 billion tenge. Recognizing these risks, the state is taking steps to counter the activities of illegal financial organizations. In particular, by the Decree of the President dated November 11, 2019 No. 203 “On further improvement of the public administration system”, the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan was transformed with the separation of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and development of financial markets as an separate entity (Agency). The Agency is vested with powers in:
The Agency's activities in the field of counteracting financial pyramids are aimed at fully and timely informing the public about financial services, the conditions, the risks associated with them and, accordingly, the ways to protect consumers' interests. The Agency, in accordance with its charter, carries out systematic work to improve the financial literacy of the population. Despite these efforts, the operation of unlicensed and non-controlled financial institutions whose activities run counter to the law remains a problem in Kazakhstan. Since the Agency has been established less than a year ago and needs to improve the qualifications of experts, as well as to familiarize itself with the best practices of the OSCE member countries in combating financial pyramids, the Agency requested the OSCE Office in Nur-Sultan to support a seminar on counteraction to financial pyramids.
In the context of the agreement with the Agency, the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan requires the services of an external consultant to prepare and conduct a two-day training seminar for the Agency’s employees, including the issues of preventing the creation of financial pyramids, counteracting their activities, as well as improving the financial literacy of the population, based on the best practices of the OSCE countries. The seminar is planned to be held in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance and direction of the Economic and Environmental (EED) Officer, the Expert/Consultant will provide consultancy/expertise to prepare and implement the required seminar. The OSCE is particularly interested in the applicants with substantial experience in one or several of the following thematic areas:
Necessary Qualifications
Remuneration Package
Remuneration will depend on the selected consultant/expert qualifications and experience and in accordance with the OSCE established consultancy rates.
How to Apply
If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://jobs.osce.org/. Those applicants who cannot fill in the forms in English, but possess relevant expertise, may use the OSCE offline application form in Russian or Kazakh language found at https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/offline-application-form. Please forward the completed offline form quoting the job title and the VN number by e-mail Recruitment.POiN@osce.org. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment at a lower grade or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration. Only those applicants who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of the recruitment will be contacted.
The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic, and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.
Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.