ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT
This selection procedure is intended to establish a reserve list of successful candidates. It is envisaged to start using the reserve list in Q2/Q3 of 2025. Europol retains the right to make use of the reserve list to select candidates for similar secondments within the organisation, should business needs require so.
Organisational setting:
The Seconded National Expert (SNE) will be assigned to the ATLAS Support Office within the European Counter Terrorism Centre, Operations Directorate.
The Operations Directorate deals with the core business of Europol, improving the effectiveness and cooperation of the competent authorities in the Member States
(MS) in preventing and combating serious and organised crime, as well as terrorism affecting the MS. This requires close cooperation with the Liaison Bureaux at Europol
and via them with the Operational Teams in the MS.
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 Operations Directorate hosts five distinct Departments: Operational and Analysis Centre, European Serious Organised Crime Centre, EC3, European Counter Terrorism
Centre and the European Financial and Economic Crime Centre.
The European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC) is responsible for facilitating Counter Terrorism cooperation and Counter Terrorism information exchange among the Counter Terrorism authorities as well as to provide operational analysis. It was established in 2016 with the aim of maximising operational, technical and overall information exchange capabilities in the area of counterterrorism. ECTC strives to ensure added value for EU MS and TPs CT cooperation by providing: 1) an information hub for counter terrorism with strong analysis and information sharing capabilities, effective operational support and expertise for MS and TPs CT investigations 2) proactive mitigation of the use of social media for radicalisation purposes through terrorist/violent (right-wing) extremist online propaganda, also promoting private-public partnerships 3) a central strategic support capability to identify European wide counter-terrorism implications and outreach with relevant international partners. A support office for the ATLAS network (Special Interventions Units) is also set up within ECTC.
Purpose of the secondment:
The SNE will contribute to the work ATLAS Support Office (ASO) in the ECTC through the execution of a wide range of operational and strategic activities, with the aim to support national law enforcement activities in their fight against serious and organised forms terrorism. The SNE will be asked to contribute, support and assist on any matters related to these tasks.
Reporting lines:
The SNEs will work under the supervision of and report to the Head of ATLAS Support Office.
FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES
The SNE will carry out the following main functions and duties:
• Support the Head of ASO in implementation of ASO tasks;
• Draft reports on the topic of cooperation between ATLAS Network and Europol;
• Process high volumes of data in the most efficient and effective way;
• Support the information exchange between Europol and ATLAS Network and among SIUs themselves;
• Provide on-the-spot logistical support in connection with specific ATLAS network activities and events if and when required;
• Participate in meetings, working groups and conferences and present activities of the ASO when required;
• Conduct miscellaneous administrative duties related to the cooperation between ATLAS network and Europol and to the ASO workflow.
The SNE will be involved in the handling of sensitive data, for which an appropriate level of security clearance is requested in accordance with the nature of the business area EU Confidential.
REQUIREMENTS - ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Candidates must:
• Be a member of a competent authority in the meaning of the Article 2a) of the Europol Regulation and enjoy full rights as a citizen of a Member State;
• Produce evidence of a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the European Union and of a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the European Union in accordance with the decision of the Management Board on the internal language arrangements of Europol as referred to in Article 64(2) of the Europol Regulation, with the understanding that the SNE will have to carry out his / her duties in a mainly English-speaking environment;
• Have at least three years of professional experience in the field of law enforcement which is relevant to the duties to be carried out during the secondment.
SELECTION CRITERIA
a. Professional experience:
Essential:
• Solid experience in activities and operations of the ATLAS Network;
• Experience in dealing with the operational, strategic and logistical issues related to an ATLAS-special intervention unit;
• Experience in drafting complex reports related to ATLAS activities;
• Experience in handling sensitive and classified information and intelligence;
• Be a member of an ATLAS Special Intervention Unit.
Desirable:
• Experience in working in a multi-agency or international environment;
• Be a member of the Special intervention unit chairing the ATLAS Network;
• Experience in leading of C2-staff in operations.
b. Professional knowledge:
Essential:
• Knowledge of the law enforcement environment and practices, preferably at international level;
• Knowledge of the ATLAS-special intervention units activities, preferably at international level;
• Knowledge of the Europol legal framework;
• Knowledge of initiatives and decisions at European Union level with regard to Counter Terrorism.
c. General competencies:
Essential:
Communicating:
• Very good communication skills in English, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to draft clear and concise documents on complex matters for various audiences;
Analysing & problem solving:
• Keen eye for detail with the ability to maintain standards of accuracy under pressure of tight deadlines;
• 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 and organising:
• Good administrative and organisational skills;
Resilience:
• Ability to work well under pressure, 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.
Living diversity:
• Ability to work effectively in an international and multi-cultural environment;
HOW TO APPLY
Member States are invited to nominate their Seconded National Experts according to the selection criteria and profile, as specified in this document.
Candidates endorsed by the national competent authorities are required to complete the SNE application form available on Europol's website in English.
The application form must be accompanied by a letter from the sending authority to the Executive Director of Europol expressing willingness to second the candidate.
Applications must be filled in electronically, duly signed and submitted by means of email to Europol’s Human Resources Unit, HR Operational Support Team, to C2-12@europol.europa.eu via the Europol National Unit of the Member State concerned, and, if necessary, the respective Liaison Bureau. Candidates who do not provide all necessary information or do not comply with any of the above will not be considered.
Applications must be received by Europol at the latest on the day of the deadline specified in this notice of secondment. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. Receipt of all applications is confirmed by an email of acknowledgement. Candidates may check the progress of the relevant selection procedure on Europol's website
SELECTION PROCEDURE
The Deputy Executive Director of Europol’s Capabilities Directorate (DEDC) sets up a Selection Committee, chaired by the Head of the relevant Directorate or a senior representative, and composed of a representative of the respective Unit, as well as of the Human Resources Unit.
The Selection Committee establishes the pass-mark for interview and a written test or comparable practical exercise. The pass-mark for shortlisting is established as 60% of the total maximum score.
The Selection Committee assesses the applications received in order to make an initial selection of candidates meeting all eligibility criteria and examines their qualifications, experience and skills against the selection criteria set out in this notice of secondment. Candidates scoring above the pass-mark are invited to participate in a selection procedure.
The Selection Committee will invite the 10 highest scoring candidates (shortlisted). All candidates having a score equal to the 10th highest scoring candidate will be included to the list of invited candidates.
The Selection Committee conducts an interview with the shortlisted candidates performed remotely in order to evaluate their language skills, to assess their experience and qualifications and determine whether they possess the key skills required. The shortlisted candidates will also be invited to participate in a written test or comparable practical exercise performed remotely.
SECONDMENT AND RESERVE LIST
After the selection procedure has taken place, the Selection Committee establishes a list of successful candidates.
Candidates are successful if they score above the pre-defined pass-mark for interview and a written test or comparable practical exercise.
The list shall be shared with the Deputy Executive Director Capabilities Directorate (DEDC), in order to establish a Reserve List.
Reserve Lists of successful candidates are valid for 3 years (36 months).
Candidates who attend the selection procedure will be informed of the outcome, i.e. whether they have been successful or not.
Europol retains the right to make use of the Reserve List to select candidates for similar secondments within the organisation, should business needs require so. Inclusion on the Reserve List does not guarantee secondment.
The secondment of a successful candidate is finally effected by an exchange of letters referred to in Article 4(4) of the MB Decision on SNEs, specifying the details of the secondment, including as regards its duration.
COMPENSATION, TERMS AND CONDITIONS
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The SNE shall remain in the service of the sending authority throughout the period of secondment and shall continue to be paid by that employer. The sending authority shall also be responsible for all social rights, particularly social security and pension entitlements.
During the period of secondment the SNE is entitled to a daily subsistence allowance paid by Europol, and may also be eligible for a monthly allowance depending on the distance from the place of origin. If the SNE receives any allowance from other sources similar to the subsistence allowance paid by Europol, this amount shall be deducted.
Detailed rules regarding the secondment of national experts to Europol are described in the Management Board Decision laying down rules on the secondment of national experts to Europol of 8 October 2024.
ENQUIRIES/MEASURES OF REDRESS
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 HR Operational Support Team at the following email address: C2-12@europol.europa.eu.
As regards requests for the reason(s) candidates were found to be ineligible, the scores obtained at specific stages of the selection procedure or available measures of redress, candidates are referred to the Europol Recruitment Guidelines for SNEs available on Europol's website for further information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Equal opportunity
Europol is an equal opportunity employer. We accept applications without distinction on grounds of gender, sexual orientation, national, ethnic or social origin, religion or beliefs, family situation, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. Our employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and qualifications, experience and skills.
We live diversity and provide an inclusive work environment to all. We strive to recruit, develop and retain a diverse and talented workforce through application of equal opportunity and impartiality.
Privacy statement
Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC, applies to the processing of personal data carried out in the process of selection and recruitment of Seconded National Experts at Europol following the application of this Regulation to all administrative personal data held by Europol in accordance with Article 46 of the Europol Regulation.
For additional information, candidates are referred to the applicable privacy notice available on Europol's website.
Security screening
Selected candidates are required to furnish a valid security clearance certificate before the start of the secondment. Failure to obtain or provide the requisite security clearance certificate at the requested level before the start of the secondment may render the offer of secondment invalid.
In case the security clearance certificate expires within six months of the start of the secondment, the renewal procedure will be initiated expeditiously. Europol may at any time terminate the secondment if the result of the security screening is not positive or the necessary security clearance level is not granted /extended.
The security clearance level required for this secondment is: CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL.
Main dates
Deadline for application: 04 April 23:59 CET
Selection procedure: April 2025
Application process and selection procedure
For further details on the application process and the selection procedure, please consult our FAQs or refer to the EUROPOL RECRUITMENT GUIDELINES FOR SECONDED NATIONAL EXPERTS available on Europol's website.
Contact details
In case of further questions please call +31 (0) 70 353 1387 or +31 (0) 70 353 1152