Cost-free Seconded National Experts within Europol Innovation Lab

Europol is looking for Seconded National Experts (SNEs) from national competent authorities to be assigned to the Europol Innovation Lab. The aim of the secondment is to build capacity, exchange technical expertise between the concerned national competent authority and Europol and enhance cooperation.
SNEs shall remain in the service of their national competent authority throughout the period of secondment and shall also continue to be paid by that employer, no additional allowances will be applicable. SNE’s may be seconded for up to a total of 4 years to temporarily work at Europol.

Reporting lines:

The SNEs will report to and work under the supervision of the Head of Team in the Europol Innovation Lab.

2. 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.

3. Secondment in the Europol Innovation Lab

3.1 Organisational setting:

The Europol Innovation Lab (EIL) is a Team within the Information Management Unit within the Capabilities Directorate.
The EIL fosters innovation in the European Law Enforcement (LE) community by helping EU LEAs and Europol staff to make the most of emerging technologies and uptake innovation to support their investigations.

The Lab is composed of three offices:

• The Coordination and Networks Office, manages networks of national and European innovators, the industry and academia, and engages with EU-funded security research projects networks.
• The Technical and Project Office - tests technology, builds prototypes and develops new innovative tools, independently or with the MS authorities. This office works on experimentation, testing and development of tools to support law enforcement investigations, many of which are made available via the Europol Tool Repository (ETR). The ETR is a platform hosting cost-free tools that support investigators across Europe to work more efficiently, streamline operations and enhance collaboration. The ETR comprise more than 50 tools, including 20 AI-powered, that have been used successfully in hundreds in operations.
• The Observatory Office - identifies capabilities and innovation needs, carries out research, technology monitoring and foresight, as well as facilitates the use of innovative methodologies (such as security design).

3.2 Functions and duties:

Depending on qualifications and professional experience, the SNE will be assigned to one of the 3 Offices to carry out one of the following sets of functions and duties:

3.2.1 The Coordination and Networks Office

• Prepare the meetings of and reports of the European Clearing Board for Innovation (EuCB) and the Core and Strategic Groups established by the EuCB.
• Contribute to the activities of the EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security.
• Engage with EU-funded research and innovation projects, and facilitate contacts between such projects and European law enforcement practitioners.
• Develop the Innovation Lab’s engagement with relevant industry partners, including through the organisation of the Europol Industry and Research Days.

3.2.2 Technical and Project Office

• Designing and developing tools, testing and evaluating performance and training ETR users.

3.2.3 Observatory Office

• Identify capability gaps and related innovation needs;
• Conduct research covering a wide range of topics focusing on innovation and emerging technologies (including but not limited to Artificial intelligence, Quantum computing, Robotics, Novel biometrics);
• Monitor relevant developments in the research and technology landscape with a view to informing the EU law enforcement community with regards to their current or future impact;
• Provide policy advice to the Innovation Lab on key dossiers in the area of emerging technologies, future trends and threats;
• Draft and edit reports and other strategic documents and contribute to the further development of products such as foresight reports.

3.3 Selection criteria:

Essential experience:

• Experience in researching and monitoring key emerging technologies;
• Experience with data collection and analysis;
• Experience in drafting materials such as presentations, reports and publications.

Desirable experience:

• Experience in technology monitoring and/or foresight;
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in AI development such as Python;
• Experience with supporting investigations using tools for data visualisation, triage and data analysis;
• Experience of representing law enforcement in interdisciplinary and/or international projects;
• Familiarity with EU policies and funding mechanisms for research and innovation.

Essential knowledge:

• Knowledge of key emerging technologies (such as, but not limited to, quantum technologies, AI, privacy-enhancing technologies, unmanned systems), technology research and technology analysis.

Desirable knowledge:

• Knowledge of capability mapping and needs analysis, as well as an understanding of how these fit into an innovation ecosystem;
• Knowledge (strategic) foresight, including trends analysis, scenario construction, and policy input;
• Knowledge of programming languages commonly used in AI development such as Python.

4. General competencies

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:

• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills;
• Keen eye for detail with the ability to maintain standards of accuracy under pressure of tight deadlines;
• 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.