Senior Specialist – Head of Team – 24/7 Operational Centre, Operational Centre Unit (AD7) in The Hague

This selection procedure is intended to establish a reserve list of successful candidates.
It is envisaged to start using the reserve list in Q1/Q2 of 2027.

Europol retains the right to make use of the reserve list to select candidates for similar posts within the organisation, should business needs require so.

1. Organisational context

Organisational setting:

The post of Senior Specialist – Head of Team – 24/7 Operational Centre is located in 24/7 Operational Centre Team, Operational Centre Unit, Operational & Analysis Centre (OAC), Operations Directorate.

The Operations Directorate hosts the following distinct Departments: Operational and Analysis Centre, European Serious Organised Crime Centre, European Cyber Crime Centre, European Counter Terrorism Centre, European Financial and Economic Crime Centre and European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling.

The Operations Directorate deals with the core business of Europol, improving the effectiveness and cooperation of the competent authorities in the Member States in preventing and combating serious and organised crime, as well as terrorism affecting the Member States (MS). This requires close cooperation with the Liaison Bureaux at Europol and via them with the Operational Teams in the Member States.

Europol delivers a number of products and services to national law enforcement agencies to support them in their fight against international serious and organised crime, as well as terrorism.

The Operational and Analysis Centre delivers support across the Operations Directorate by delivering added value to all Centres, including several functions of operational and strategic nature:
• Information hub and 24/7 operational support;
• Travel intelligence;
• Integrated operational services;
• EMPACT support;
• Liaison and stakeholder coordination;
• Strategic analysis;
• Data analysis development;
• Analysis Training.

The main tasks of the Operational Centre Unit are:
• Ensures 24/7 availability and monitoring of information exchange;
• Provides operational support to Europol’s Operational Centres (including processing, crosschecking and handling cases);
• Initiates immediate actions and crisis response mechanisms;
• Supports major events and operations;

Purpose of the post:

As Head of Team, the incumbent will supervise, coordinate and give guidance to the 24/7 Operational Centre Team.

The incumbent will further be responsible for the planning, coordination and delivery of services and products provided by the Team, enhancing Europol’s ability to exploit criminal intelligence with the aim of supporting investigations of MS and third parties and for providing assistance to the Head of Unit with regular and case-by-case reporting, relevant updates and statistics.

Reporting lines:

The incumbent reports to the Head of the Operational Centre Unit.

Job environment:

This post might require participation in a shift system including weekends and nights as well as on-call duty.

2. Functions and duties

The incumbent carries out the following main functions and duties:
General Head of Team responsibilities
• Coordinate the work of a group of individuals by effective and efficient planning, prioritisation, and scheduling of tasks and responsibilities;
• Monitor progress of work in line with key performance indicators; ensure work being produced is of high quality and meets business needs; apply corrective measures where needed;
• Define and supervise the accurate and timely execution of processes and procedures to ensure adherence to corporate policies, fundamental rights, standards and data protection regulations;
• Set clear expectations and objectives and direct work towards a common goal;
• Identify, address and propose resolutions to issues affecting the team;
• Provide constructive feedback, guidance and support and coach team members;
• Encourage continuous learning and development of team members;
• Create an open, honest and inclusive team culture with respect for diversity, where team members are encouraged to perform at their best.

Specific responsibilities
• Lead and coordinate a wide range of activities related to the 24/7 support of operational activities, ensuring effective prioritisation, continuity and timely response to operational requirements such as first response operational analysis reporting;
• Manage and oversee the delivery of relevant operational analytical products and services, ensuring their quality, accuracy, consistency and timely delivery in accordance with established requirements and standards;
• Engage and cooperate effectively with relevant partners, establishing and maintaining close working relationships with Member States (MS), third parties and other stakeholders to initiate, facilitate, stimulate and support operational activities;
• Facilitate and continuously improve the flow of operational information between Europol, MS and third parties through the effective use and monitoring of available communication channels, systems and databases;
• Plan, coordinate and support Europol's involvement in deployments, action days and other operational activities, including the provision of Europol support during major international events;
• Drive technological innovation and digital transformation within the 24/7 operational environment, identifying opportunities to leverage new and emerging technologies, leading their implementation and adoption and ensuring that solutions enhance operational effectiveness, efficiency, resilience and service delivery across Europol;
• Prepare and contribute to reports, briefings, presentations and other documentation within the area of responsibility for both internal and external audiences;
• Advise on, develop and implement policies, procedures and working arrangements that facilitate seamless and effective operations across the organisation, ensuring alignment with applicable legal, operational and organisational frameworks;
• Ensure compliance with internal operational requirements, procedures and standards, and oversee the consistent implementation of applicable workflows and operational data standards;
• Act as a principal point of contact and subject-matter expert within the area of responsibility, both internally and externally, providing expert advice and guidance on operational support, information and data intake and handling.
• Lead, coordinate or play a key role in projects and project-oriented activities, with particular emphasis on initiatives related to the area of responsibility, contributing to their effective planning, implementation and delivery;

• Represent Europol at events and visits, organize and facilitate working groups, meetings or conferences to increase awareness and provide expert knowledge and advice in the area of responsibility;
• Perform any other duties in the area of competence as assigned by line management.

3. Requirements - Eligibility criteria

a. Candidates must
• Be a member of a competent authority within the meaning of the Article 2(a) of the Europol Regulation and enjoy full rights as a citizen of a Member State;
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws on military service;
• Produce appropriate character references as to his or her suitability for the performance of the duties;
• Be physically fit to perform the duties pertaining to the post as further specified in Article 13 of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS);

• Produce evidence of a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the Union and a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the Union to the extent necessary for the performance of the duties.

b. Candidates must have
• A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four years or more;
OR
• A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least one year when the normal period of university education is at least three years;
OR
• Professional training of an equivalent level in a relevant area (e.g. Police Officer’s School) and after having completed the training, at least the number of years of relevant professional experience as indicated below:

Duration of professional training / Additional professional experience required for equivalency
More than 6 months and up to 1 year - 4 years
More than 1 year and up to 2 years - 3 years
More than 2 years and up to 3 years - 2 years
More than 3 years - 1 year

In addition to the above at least 6 years of total professional work experience gained after the award of the diploma.

4. Requirements - Selection criteria

a. Professional experience
Essential:
• Experience in handling operational information and data;
• Experience in operational criminal analysis;
• Experience in managing operational activities in a 24/7 or other time-critical environment;
• Experience in operational law enforcement cooperation with multiple internal and external stakeholders;
• Experience in using international law enforcement communication channels, preferably including Europol’s information systems and databases;
• Experience in planning or coordinating complex operational activities, such as deployments or major events or other multi-stakeholder operational initiatives.

Desirable:
• Experience in applying digital solutions, automation, artificial intelligence or advanced analytical capabilities to improve data and information processes, including translating operational requirements into technology solutions;
• Experience in driving change and implementing new processes or working methods;
• Experience working in an international environment;
• Experience in crisis management, incident response or business continuity.

b. Professional knowledge
Essential:
• Sound knowledge of operational information and data handling, including criminal analysis and information sharing and the application of relevant data standards;
• Sound knowledge of data protection requirements applicable to the handling and international exchange of operational information, including principles of access, use, dissemination and retention;
• Sound knowledge of international law enforcement information systems, databases and communication channels;
• Knowledge of international law enforcement co-operation and practices;
• Knowledge of Europol’s legal framework, particularly in relation to processing of operational information.

c. General competencies
Essential:
Communicating:
• Excellent communication skills in English, both orally and in writing;
• Excellent presentation skills;
• Ability to draft clear and concise documents on complex matters for various
audiences;

Analysing & problem solving:
• Structured approach to work aimed at getting results;
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills;
• Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and
Outlook) and the internet.

Delivering quality and results:
• High degree of commitment and flexibility.
• High level of customer and service-orientation.

Prioritising & organising:
• Excellent organizational skills including the ability to plan own workload, establish clear priorities and exercise initiative;
• Ability to manage projects and familiarity with project management terminology and methodology.

Resilience:
• Strong ability to work well both independently and in a team;
• Very good interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively liaise with other departments, groups and teams as well as with external partners;
• Ability to remain effective under a heavy workload and demonstrate resistance to stress.

Living diversity:
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers in an international and multi-disciplinary work environment.

Advising:

• Ability to synthesise various data into a coherent and relevant whole, transforming it into a valuable and correct conclusion;
• Building constructive relationships with clients and team members, adequately identifying and managing their needs and expectations, and giving well-grounded advice.

Team supervision:
• Ability to manage a diverse team including the ability to motivate staff, effectively plan and monitor the work of other staff members and to provide guidance.

Team supervision:
• Ability to manage a diverse team including the ability to motivate staff, effectively plan and monitor the work of other staff members and to provide guidance.

d. Additional conditions:

Fulfil the condition stipulated in Article 5 of the Decision of the Executive Director on the Duration of contracts of employment for Temporary Agents, on the start date of the possible contract of employment which may be offered.

5. Selection procedure

All applications for Temporary Agent posts must be submitted through the online recruitment system accessible via Europol’s website. For further information, please consult the Europol Recruitment Guidelines.

The Authority Authorised to Conclude Contracts of Employment (AACC) sets up a Selection Committee, composed of at least three members, consisting of one chair and at least one member from the administration and one member designated by the Staff Committee.

For restricted posts (including restricted - Annex II posts) , the AACC designates up to two additional members of the Selection Committee if so requested by the Chairperson of the Management Board. The additional members shall consist of a representative of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union or one representative of the Presidency and one representative of another Member State.

The selection criteria, set out in this Vacancy Notice, will be assessed by the Selection Committee throughout the different stages of the selection procedure. Before the start of the selection procedure, the Selection Committee will decide which selection criteria will be used at each stage of the selection procedure. Certain selection criteria will be assessed only for shortlisted candidates during a written test and/or a competency-based interview.

The Selection Committee will assess the applications received in order to make an initial selection of those candidates meeting all eligibility criteria and matching best the selection criteria (suitability).

In case of candidates shortlisted for restricted posts (including restricted - Annex II posts) , who had indicated membership of a competent authority in one of the Member States, Europol will seek confirmation from the relevant Europol National Unit to ensure that those candidates indeed belong to a competent authority.

The minimum pass-mark for being shortlisted, i.e. invited to participate in a post-related selection procedure, consisting of a written test and a competency-based interview, is established as 60% of the total maximum score.

The Selection Committee will shortlist the 8 highest scoring candidates. All candidates having a score equal to the 8th highest scoring candidate will be invited to take part in the selection procedure. At shortlisting stage, the Selection Committee will establish the pass-mark for the selection procedure.

It is intended for the selection procedure to be conducted remotely. Should the Selection Committee consider it necessary to conduct the selection procedure on-site at Europol in the interest of the proceedings, and subject to budget availability, the candidates invited to participate in the selection procedure will be informed accordingly.

After the selection procedure has taken place, the Selection Committee will establish a list of successful candidates, i.e. those scoring above the pre-defined pass-mark, which is shared with the AACC, for establishment of a Reserve list. A Reserve list is valid for 24 months.

Candidates who participated in the interview will be informed of the outcome, i.e. whether they have been successful or not.

The Selection Committee’s work and deliberations are confidential. It is forbidden for candidates to make direct or indirect contact with the members of the Selection Committee or for anyone to do so on their behalf.

All enquiries related to a selection procedure should be addressed to the Europol HR Operational Support Team at the following email address: . Detailed information on the selection procedure- including enquiries, measures of redress and their applicable deadlines is available in the Europol Recruitment Guidelines, which can be found on Europol’s website .

6. Compensation and benefits
Scale: AD7
The gross basic monthly salary is EUR 7,876.27 (step 1) or EUR 8,207.25 (step 2).

The step in grade is determined on the basis of professional experience gained after the education required for the post and in line with applicable implementing rules.

Staff pay EU tax at source but salaries are exempt from national taxes. Compulsory deductions are made for health insurance, pension and unemployment insurance.

Subject to the applicable conditions being met, as defined in the EU Staff Regulations (EUSR)/CEOS and further specified in the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, allowances such as expatriation allowance (16% of basic gross salary) or foreign residence allowance (4% of basic gross salary), household allowance, dependent child and/or education allowance may be granted.

Staff enjoy worldwide insurance coverage by the Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme (JSIS) and are insured against sickness, the risk of occupational disease and accident.

Europol offers flexible working arrangements, a comprehensive provision for annual leave as well as parental leave supporting a healthy work-life balance.

Indicative net salary sample calculation AD7/1:
a) Staff member (single) in receipt of expatriation allowance (16%): EUR 8,091.70
b) Staff member with two dependent children in their custody in receipt of expatriation allowance (16%): EUR 10,380.87

The above information is indicative and for information purposes only. It is merely meant to give an indication of the possible net salary in light of the currently applicable amounts of the related allowances and the level of taxation. It has no legal value and no rights can be derived from it.

The information is based on figures applicable as of July 2025.

7. Terms and conditions
Contract of employment
The successful candidate will be engaged in the type of post Administrator and function group AD , grade 7 pursuant to Article 2(f) CEOS and Annex I to the EUSR.

The initial contract will be concluded for a period of 5 years (full-time – 40 hours a week). The contract may be renewed only once, in principle, for a period of 5 years.

The overall duration of the contracts on restricted posts of Europol staff members will be taken into