Senior Financial Crime / Cross-Border Crime Advisor (Palau, 1099)

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

The Senior Financial Crime / Cross-Border Crime Advisor will support the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) by deploying to Palau to provide mentorship and technical assistance that strengthens the country's capacity to detect, investigate, and disrupt cross-border crime, narcotics trafficking, illicit financial flows, and online scam operations—including those occurring in hotel and hospitality venues—through enhanced customs and border management, interagency coordination, investigative practices, and overall law enforcement professionalism and effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities:
This advisor will focus on cross-border crime, beneficial ownership challenges, and online scam operations, and will serve as a senior mentor and advisor to Palau’s Director of Customs and Border.

• Provide strategic and operational mentorship on risk-based border management, targeting, and enforcement planning.
• Advise on interagency coordination mechanisms (e.g., task force meetings, joint targeting cells, information-sharing protocols). Design and deliver targeted, practical workshops and on-the-job mentoring.
• Support development or refinement of standard operating procedures and checklists.
• The advisor will be primarily based on-site in Palau, with full-time engagement for approximately eight (8) months. Limited remote work (e.g., for follow-up on SOPs, review of draft documents, or virtual coordination meetings) may occur as agreed with INL. Instructional approaches will be highly practical, including side-by-side mentoring, table-top exercises, case-study discussions, and limited classroom-style sessions to introduce key concepts.
• In addition to the rapid assessment and workplan, the advisor will prepare brief bi-weekly activity summaries and a final advisory report summarizing progress, challenges, and recommendations.

• Must be employed in the respective lines of work for which they are being considered (i.e., police officer, prosecutor, law enforcement advisor, etc.) or be recently retired/separated within the last five (5) years.
• Excellent verbal and writing skills. Ability to communicate in English (FSI Standard level four for writing, reading comprehension, speaking for U.S. citizens).
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and ability to operate a standard transmission vehicle.
• Good health and be able to pass requisite physical, medical, and psychological tests if required for assigned mission/country and be able to sustain a deployment up to nine (9) months.
• Valid U.S. passport for at least six months at all times.
• The ability and willingness to train other individuals in their area of expertise.
• Unblemished background.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant experience investigating cross-border crime, customs and border violations, or transnational organized crime.
• Demonstrated experience investigating financial crimes and illicit finance, including use of shell companies and beneficial ownership concealment.
• Experience addressing online scam operations, cyber-enabled fraud, or illicit gambling activities, including in hotel or hospitality environments.
• Prior service in a senior investigative, supervisory, or enforcement role focused on customs, border security, or complex financial/criminal investigations.
• Experience developing and implementing risk-based targeting, border screening, or enforcement strategies at air, sea, or other ports of entry.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and advise senior customs and border officials on operational planning, case prioritization, and organizational practices.
• Experience developing or refining standard operating procedures, information-sharing protocols, and investigative guidelines for customs and border agencies.
• Experience in joint or interagency operations involving customs, police, financial/intelligence units, and prosecutorial authorities.
• Familiarity with international standards and good practices related to financial crime, anti-money laundering, and cross-border enforcement.
• Prior experience working in small-state, island, or similarly resource-constrained environments.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including preparation of clear analytical reports, guidance, and training materials.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships with senior law enforcement, customs, and justice-sector leadership.