Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Legalpracticingcertificate
Timeline
BusinessAnalyst
Gretel Ungaia

Gretel Ungaia

Waigani,National Capital District

Summary

Enthusiastic and dedicated professional with a track record of designing and implementing strategic plans that yield high-performing outcomes. Possesses strong verbal and written communication skills, keen attention to detail, and the ability to conduct policy and compliance analysis. Effectively communicates deadlines and follows up with internal and external partners to ensure timely project completion. Highly skilled in organizational management, collaborative teamwork, and providing legal analysis and advice in areas including public policy development, anti-money laundering and terrorist financing, as well as companies, associations, business groups incorporated, investment promotion laws and capital market law.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Senior Analyst

Bank of PNG
10.2020 - Current
  • Participated in and coordinated the PNG Mutual Evaluation (ME) 2023-2024 onsite, and produced comprehensive reports
  • Crucial in the collating and coordinating of the AMLCTF NCC Agencies responses to the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) Secretariat
  • Assisted and led team as part of the PNG ME Lead Agency (FASU/BPNG) the coordination of the Pre-Onsite, Onsite, and Post-Onsite meetings for the PNG Mutual Evaluation
  • Drafted and finalized domestic and international MOUs for training and information sharing purposes
  • Supported the AMLCTF National Coordinating Committee and Mutual Evaluation Secretariat, coordinating 23 NCC agencies to implement the Strategic Implementation Plan for the ICRG observation period
  • Prepared FASU operational reports, board papers, project briefs, etc.
  • Participated and was present during the FASU/BPNG awareness programs
  • Conducted registration of reporting entities pursuant to section 57 of the AML/CFT Act 2015
  • Reviewed policy documents and liaised with domestic and international stakeholders
  • Compilation of the PNG Mutual Evaluation Report adopted on the 25 September 2024 by the Asia-Pacific Group Plenary membership and the publication of the ME Report by FATF on the 14 November 2024
  • Endorsement of the Strategic Implementation Plan on the 21 November 2024 facilitated by the APG Secretariat to assist PNG implement Recommended Actions from the MER during the observation period October 2024-October 2025
  • Improved company efficiency with the development of key performance indicators and tracking metrics.
  • Mentored junior analysts, fostering professional development while enhancing overall team performance.
  • Enhanced team productivity by streamlining workflow processes and implementing time-saving strategies.

Senior Legal Officer

Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) Under SECOM
01.2016 - 09.2020
  • Develop and draft Contract Agreements to engage consultants
  • Assisted the Human Resource Consultant draft and finalize the SECOM new Organizational and Remuneration Structure, Job Classification and Evaluation Comparative Table for Submission to the DPM
  • Legal advice and analysis of complex company and capital markets applications for Exemptions and Interpretation of the 3 Capital Market Laws
  • SECOM industry stakeholder engagement
  • Drafting of SECOM Divisional Quarterly Board Reports/Updates and reports for the IPA Board
  • Legal opinion of on-going Court proceedings of the SECOM
  • State Witness against former Acting Chairman of the SECOM in the National Court on Forgery of forging former Ministers signature
  • Active participation in the Anti-Money Laundering & Counter Terrorist Finance National Coordinating Committee as the only IPA technical officer advising on IPA and Office of Registrar of Companies processes- contribution to the development of the 2017-2022 PNG AMLCTF National Strategic Plan and National Risk Assessment 2017
  • Lead Officer assisting the IPA/ROC with Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) obligation to the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes- Questionnaire for the 2nd Round of EOIR Reviews for Papua New Guinea
  • Provide legal opinion and comments to the Association Memorandum of Comments and Explanatory Memo and Proposed Association Bill
  • Assist with logistics preparation and participation in IPA Annual Provincial Stakeholder Awareness on the roles and functions of the IPA and Compliance of the Business Laws administered by the Registrar of Companies
  • Team leader to the Phase 1 Regional Stakeholder Consultation Association Act 1966 Reform, key reform for IPA’s obligation under the 2017-2022 PNG AMLCTF National Strategic Plan and National Risk Assessment
  • Edited and provided comments to the IPA Strategic Plan 2018-2021
  • Assist the IPA Executive Services Unit with drafting of letters and legal briefs
  • Networking with Government Stakeholders
  • Research and compile policy directions and legal opinions
  • Analysis of International Legal Policies
  • Office in Charge and Completed Phase 2 of Association Reform Stakeholder Regional Stakeholder, Proposed Association Bill
  • IPA/SECOM MOU Signing with Financial Analysis and Supervision Unit for AMLCTF Information Sharing
  • IPA Board endorsement of Human Resource and Legal Consultants and submission to SCMC/DPM
  • Finalize New SECOM Organization and Remuneration Structure with Human Resource Consultant
  • Finalizing edits and process for issuing of new Companies and Business Names Forms for the Companies Regulation and Business Names Forms for Regulation 2015, from the First Legislative Council and certified by the Governor General
  • Regulations and forms currently in operation

Legal Officer

Securities Commission of Papua New Guinea
11.2013 - 12.2015
  • Research and Analyse International Organisation of Securities Commission Best Practice for Policy Initiatives and Law Development
  • Compile Drafting Instructions for the First Legislative Council for the new Capital Market Laws
  • Comparative Analysis of Policy and Law
  • Regulatory Compliance –Initial Public Offering, Trustee queries, and Takeovers & Mergers Notices and Exemption Notices
  • Technical Working Officer (TWO) to implement IPA/SECOM Action Item for the AMLCTF FATF Recommendations and Immediate Outcomes
  • Comparative Analysis of Accounting Standards and Codes under the IPA/SECOM responsibilities for the ROSC report
  • Parliament passed the three new laws: Securities Commission Act 2015, Capital Market Act 2015 and the Central Depository Act 2015
  • Commencement of Companies Regulation 2015 and Business Names Regulations 2015—implementation of new Regulations (fees and forms) to public
  • Anti-Money Launder & Counter Terrorist Financing Act 2015 passed and TWG through the NCC member agencies worked towards PNG being removed from the FATF “grey-list” of countries
  • Assisted in the compilation of “The Report on Observance of the Standards and Codes of Accounting and Auditing in PNG” was published by the World Bank
  • Provided legal support in the development and execution of strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and other collaborative arrangements.
  • Conducted comprehensive research to support legal proceedings, formulate defenses and initiate legal action.
  • Drafted and reviewed a wide range of legal documents to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
  • Successfully represented the company in administrative hearings before regulatory agencies, securing favorable outcomes in contested proceedings.
  • Streamlined contract review process, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced turnaround time.
  • Reviewed legal publications and performed database searches to identify laws and court decisions relevant to pending cases.
  • Kept up with and reviewed changes in laws, informed staff of changes and advised appropriate departments on actions to prevent legal issues.
  • Assisted in the development of corporate policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with legal requirements and best practices.
  • Advised executive leadership on regulatory changes impacting business operations, enabling proactive adjustments to maintain compliance.
  • Composed correspondence and relevant memoranda and accurately transcribed dictation.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive solutions for complex legal issues.
  • Gathered and analyzed research data such as statutes, decisions and legal articles, codes and documents.
  • Supported human resources department by addressing employment law matters such as discrimination claims and employee relations issues.
  • Developed comprehensive corporate leadership strategy and trained executives, upper management and legal department on adherence to strategy.
  • Served as a key resource within the organization for ethics matters by developing guidelines aimed at promoting ethical conduct among employees.
  • Enhanced client satisfaction by providing timely and accurate legal advice on various matters.

Education

MBA - Business Administration

University of Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
04.2024

Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice - Legal Practice

Legal Training Institute
Papua New Guinea
11.2013

Bachelor’s Degree - Law

University of Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
04.2013

Skills

  • Communication
  • Coordination and Collaboration
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Time Management
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Legal Analysis and Research
  • Contract Negotiation
  • Legal Due Diligence
  • Anti-Money Laundering Policy
  • Leadership and Management
  • Performance monitoring
  • Decision-making
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Research and analysis
  • Team collaboration and leadership

Certification

  • 14/11/24, Certificate of Enhance Training for Early Career Integrity Professionals in the Pacific, "Integrity Professional Foundations 2024 with High Distinction" from the Griffith University, Brisbane Campus, Australia, in partnership with Transparency International and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
  • 09/11/24, Certificate of Completion, Awareness Training Programme on 'AML/CTF Compliance for DNFBPs', facilitated by FINTELEKT ADVISORY SERVICES Pvt Ltd and Asian Bankers Association.
  • 08/30/24, Certificate of Attendance, 'Regulatory Approaches which discussed the topic of Remitters', facilitated by the Australian Transaction Reports & Analysis Centre through the Pacific Financial Intelligence Community (PFIC) Webinar Series.
  • 01/31/23 - 02/10/23, Certificate of Participation, 'Intermediate Level AML/CFT Supervision of Offshore Entities', facilitated by Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG).
  • 03/29/22 - 04/08/22, Certificate of Participation, 'Intermediate Level AML/CFT Supervision of Banks', facilitated by Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG).
  • 03/02/21 - 03/11/21, Certificate of Graduation, '8th Day Virtual Programme on AML: Current Trends, Prosecutions, and the Challenges around Cryptocurrencies,' facilitated by the OECD Asia-Pacific Academy for tax and Financial Crime Investigation, in Japan.
  • 02/22/21, Certificate of Graduation, 'E-Learning module on: Fighting tax crime: The 10 global principles' facilitated by the OECD.
  • 09/02/19 - 09/06/19, Certificate of Participation, '15th Tokyo Round Table' Asia Securities Forum, organized by the Japan Securities Dealers Association.
  • 04/01/19 - 04/11/19, Certificate of Participation, 'Annual International Institute for Securities Market Growth and Development', United Nations Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington DC.
  • 06/04/18 - 06/08/18, Certification, 'Implementing the International AML/CTF Standards-Enhancing Entity Transparency', Regional Workshop organized by the International Monetary Fund in collaboration with the Government of Singapore.
  • 05/07/18 - 06/02/18, Certificate of Completion, 'Fundamentals of Capital Market Development and Regulation', United Nations Institute for Training and Research e-learning course.
  • 11/24/17 - 11/25/17, Certificate of Participation, 'The Exploitation of Non–Profit Organizations by Terrorist Finance,' Workshop organized by the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • 04/03/17 - 05/12/17, Certificate of Completion, e-learning course, 'Introduction to Intellectual Property Law,' offered by the United Nations Institute of Training and Research.
  • 02/27/17 - 03/03/17, Certificate of Participation, 'Foundational Drafting' Workshop organized by Australian Government through the Australian Reports & Analysis Centre & the Australian Attorney General Department, Canberra, Australia.
  • 03/29/16 - 04/01/16, Certificate of Participation, 'Effective Anti-Money Laundering & Counter Finance Terrorism' Workshop, Cairns Australia, organized by Australian Government through the Australian Reports & Analysis Centre & the Australian Attorney General Department.
  • 05/28/14 - 06/26/14, Certificate, 'Financial Opening & Financial Risk Control for Latin America, Caribbean & South Pacific Region,' Central University of Finance & Economics, Sponsored by Ministry of Commerce, Beijing, the People’s Republic of China.


Certificates available upon Request

Legalpracticingcertificate

2024, Restricted Practising Certificate, PNG Law Society

Timeline

Senior Analyst

Bank of PNG
10.2020 - Current

Senior Legal Officer

Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) Under SECOM
01.2016 - 09.2020

Legal Officer

Securities Commission of Papua New Guinea
11.2013 - 12.2015

MBA - Business Administration

University of Papua New Guinea

Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice - Legal Practice

Legal Training Institute

Bachelor’s Degree - Law

University of Papua New Guinea
Gretel Ungaia