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The Foreign Affairs Committee is looking for a specialist adviser for its inquiry into illicit finance

23 February 2022

The Foreign Affairs Committee is a cross-party select committee of 11 MPs, chaired by Tom Tugendhat MP. It scrutinises the expenditure, administration and policy of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and its associated public bodies.

The Committee will be inquiring into the UK response to illicit and emerging finance as part of its wider work looking at how the international rules-based order is being maintained and reshaped. The role is likely to last for six months to a year.

The Role

The Committee wishes to hear from applicants who:

  • can demonstrate detailed knowledge of digital currencies and the security implications of illicit finance flows
  • can suggest from experience which individuals and organisations the Committee should consult on this subject
  • are familiar with the advocacy positions or political affiliations that are held by these individuals and organisations, and with the policy debates relevant to the inquiry terms of reference
  • are not themselves associated with an advocacy position relating to this subject
  • can demonstrate a strong network of contacts on this subject.

The ability to provide clear and concise advice orally and in writing to politicians and/or senior decision-makers is essential.

As a Specialist Adviser, you will be working with the Committee secretariat on an ad hoc basis to provide authoritative advice in relation to this subject. Work demands from the Committee are likely to be irregular and unpredictable. Only in exceptional circumstances would you be asked to do more than two days' work in a particular week, and it would normally be much less than this. You would be paid a daily honorarium on the basis of work done.

Examples of the types of work you may be asked to do include:

  • working with the Committee secretariat, in particular the inquiry manager, on planning the inquiry
  • contributing to, and commenting on, briefing material for the Committee
  • attending Committee meetings and providing oral briefings when required.

The role will involve attendance at Committee meetings in London, and you may be asked to accompany the Committee on any visit in connection with the inquiry. The Committee will meet connected, necessary expenses.

Specialist Adviser appointments are in the public domain.

Application Process

To apply please send a CV, covering letter and a declaration of relevant interests to the email address below. In your covering letter you should indicate how your expertise is relevant to this subject, the amount of time you could realistically devote to Committee work, and your ability to take on work at short notice if required.

Your declaration of interests should include anything that a reasonable person might consider could influence the advice you give the Committee. For example, a relevant financial interest, active membership of a relevant campaign group or political party, or the involvement of a close family member in the area of specialism. Declared interests from successful applicants will be published.

The Committee values diversity and encourages applications from people from a wide range of backgrounds.

Deadline for applications

Expressions of interest should be sent to FAC@parliament.uk no later than 6pm on Tuesday 8 March 2022. If you have any questions about the role, please contact the Committee team on 020 7219 3498.

Further information

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