Senior Legal Officer - (433) at Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC)

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS 

Litigation Support and Guidance

• Lead and provide expert guidance on litigation support for multi-agency initiatives, such as the Shared Forensic Capability, to facilitate the production of forensic evidence for complex financial crime investigations, aimed at recovering the proceeds of crime and combating money laundering and terrorism financing.
• Offer strategic legal advice during operations related to the prosecution of complex financial crime and the recovery of criminal proceeds, ensuring compliance with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) Act and other relevant legislation.
• Draft, review, and guide legal documentation, including Section 34 freezing orders under the FIC Act, affidavits, and forensic reports, particularly for high-priority matters, ensuring accuracy and legal soundness.

Development and Oversight of Agreements

• Develop, implement, and regularly review domestic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), related to the work of Shared Forensic Capability Division, to enhance cooperation with various agencies in financial crime investigations.
• Forensic Reporting and Legal Documentation
• Draft, review, and guide the preparation of forensic reports and affidavits, ensuring they meet legal requirements and support the objectives of law enforcement agencies in financial crime investigations.
• Ensure that all legal documents and reports are prepared with a high level of precision and meet the standards required for successful litigation and recovery processes.

Training and Capacity Building

• Provide specialized training to FIC staff on legal aspects related to financial crime investigations, including asset forfeiture under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 

Litigation Support and Guidance

• Lead and provide expert guidance on litigation support for multi-agency initiatives, such as the Shared Forensic Capability, to facilitate the production of forensic evidence for complex financial crime investigations, aimed at recovering the proceeds of crime and combating money laundering and terrorism financing.
• Offer strategic legal advice during operations related to the prosecution of complex financial crime and the recovery of criminal proceeds, ensuring compliance with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) Act and other relevant legislation.
• Draft, review, and guide legal documentation, including Section 34 freezing orders under the FIC Act, affidavits, and forensic reports, particularly for high-priority matters, ensuring accuracy and legal soundness.

Development and Oversight of Agreements

• Develop, implement, and regularly review domestic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), related to the work of Shared Forensic Capability Division, to enhance cooperation with various agencies in financial crime investigations.

Forensic Reporting and Legal Documentation

• Draft, review, and guide the preparation of forensic reports and affidavits, ensuring they meet legal requirements and support the objectives of law enforcement agencies in financial crime investigations.
• Ensure that all legal documents and reports are prepared with a high level of precision and meet the standards required for successful litigation and recovery processes.

Training and Capacity Building

• Provide specialized training to FIC staff on legal aspects related to financial crime investigations, including asset forfeiture under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), rules of evidence, legal writing, and the drafting of forensic reports and cash flow affidavits.
• Develop and deliver training programs related to asset forfeiture proceedings, rules of evidence, and drafting of legal documents, enhancing the legal knowledge and skills of staff members involved in financial crime investigations.

Governance and Risk Management

• Manage governance aspects related to litigation and the recovery of the proceeds of crime, including identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with legal processes in combating money laundering and terrorism financing.
• Ensure that all legal activities are conducted with a high level of integrity and in compliance with relevant regulations and internal policies, minimizing risks and enhancing the FIC’s ability to support law enforcement effectively.

Legal Advice and Compliance

• Provide ongoing legal advice on the implementation of the FIC Act and related legislation during forensic services in financial crime investigations, ensuring that all activities are compliant with the law and effectively support law enforcement objectives.
• Stay abreast of changes in legislation and legal practices related to financial crimes, adapting strategies and providing guidance to ensure ongoing compliance and effective legal support.

EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Degree or postgraduate degree in Law.
• Admitted Attorney or Advocate 
• Postgraduate qualifications in anti-money laundering, criminology, forensic science, forensic investigation technology, accounting, law, auditing, or cyber forensics are preferred.
• Ten or more years of relevant experience in a range of specialized areas such as prosecution, forensic auditing, compliance, enforcement, or information systems, including at least three years of proven experience in management or leading teams.
• Experience in criminal law and a law enforcement environment is required.
• Knowledge of the FIC Act, international standards, and other relevant legislation is essential.