Policy Advisor, Illicit Finance Policy (Azerbaijan)

This job description was updated on September 30, 2024.

Position Summary: The Policy Advisor will serve as a non-public facing Azerbaijan-focused policy lead, working closely with the illicit finance policy team The Policy Advisor will lead the organization’s efforts in identifying the vulnerabilities in Azerbaijan’s kleptocracy as well as the strategic use of various targeted financial pressures to disrupt and ultimately dismantle kleptocratic networks and illicit financial flows.

The Policy Advisor is expected to have deep experience in understanding the Azerbaijan political and economic context, particularly as it relates to the captured state.

Understanding where the pressure points are in Azerbaijan and within enabler and facilitator networks internationally will help the Sentry identify a range of tools of financial pressure such as network sanctions, anti-money laundering measures, and asset recovery procedures, and how they can be deployed to begin to alter the incentive structure of those benefitting from grand corruption in Azerbaijan.

Essential Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Working closely with colleagues on the Azerbaijan country team and The Sentry’s Co-Founder, formulate original policy recommendations that disrupt predatory networks and illicit financial flows related to Azerbaijan.
• Build relationships and privately engage policymakers, regulators, law enforcement, financial institutions, and other private sector and civil society actors across all relevant jurisdictions to encourage adoption of financial tools of pressure.
• Expand The Sentry’s network of contacts within the policy and nonprofit community, including with Azerbaijani in-country and diaspora groups.
• Provide strategic analysis on corruption and state capture in Azerbaijan and serve as an in-house expert and resource for colleagues on the policy tools available to create change.
• Write first drafts of op-eds, memos, policy briefs, dossiers, and other products.
• Brief and prepare public facing spokespeople on subject matter for media interviews and speaking engagements.
• Collaborate with the Development team on fundraising opportunities; review fundraising materials and reports to donors.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Minimum 6 years direct experience and overall demonstrated expertise related to Azerbaijan/Caucasus region.
• Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills.
• In-depth knowledge of Azerbaijan and its political economy.
• In-depth understanding of issues surrounding corruption and illicit financial flows in Azerbaijan, including money laundering through shell companies, arms trade and its role in sanction evasion for other countries.
• Knowledge of key issues and concepts related to financial tools of pressure.
• Demonstrated experience engaging policymakers and civil society in the United States, Europe, and the Caucasus.
• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred, in a relevant field (International Relations, Political Science, International Development, International Security, area studies, etc).
• Experience engaging with dynamic and evolving teams.
• Experience evaluating complex security issues, including in potential crisis situations.
• Able to maintain patience and presence in fast-moving environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Azerbaijani or Turkish preferred.

Compensation:

• $50,000-60,000 per year (part-time)

To apply, submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@thesentry.org. Please include “Policy

Advisor, Illicit Finance Policy (Azerbaijan) in the subject line of your email.