Type:
Permanent employment
Location:
Den Haag
Education:
Associate degree (EQF 5), Bachelor (EQF 6)
Published:
13/08/2021
Status:
Open
Apply before:
27/08/2021
Hours p/wk:
40

About Europol

This selection procedure is intended to establish a reserve list of successful candidates. It is envisaged to start using the reserve list in Q4 of 2021/Q1 of 2022.
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 SNE will be assigned to the O2-13 Drugs B Team, EU Drugs Unit, European Serious Organised Crime Centre (ESOCC), Operations Directorate.

 

Mandate of the Directorate:
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 European Serious Organised Crime Centre (ESOCC) is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of Europol’s tasks and objectives in supporting Member States’ investigations of serious and organised crime. It includes the European Migrant Smuggling Centre which covers facilitation of Illegal Immigration and Trafficking in Human Beings. 

The main tasks of ESOCC are to:
(i)    provide Operational Support to prioritised cases;
(ii)    support the EU Policy Cycle through the implementation of EMPACT priorities; 
(iii)    support the development of the Strategic Intelligence Picture on Serious and Organised Crime.

 

The EU Drugs Unit  provides support  to international investigations against criminal groups involved in large-scale drug production or drug trafficking affecting the European Union. 

 

Within the EU Drugs Unit, the O2-13 Drugs B Team is responsible for providing support to investigations targeting criminal organisations involved in the production or trafficking of synthetic drugs, NPS, related precursors and chemicals, and equipment.

 

Purpose of the secondment:
The SNE will contribute to the work of the Drugs B Team by supporting investigations of the EU Member States in the area of synthetic drugs and providing expertise related to synthetic drug production, dismantling of production sites, and investigative techniques used in this area. 

 

The SNE will also be responsible for updating the Europol Illicit Laboratory Comparison System (EILCS), in order to identify matches between seized equipment, materials and chemicals, and initiate information exchange, backtracking investigations and forensic examinations.

 

Reporting lines:
The SNE will report to and work under the supervision of the Head of Drugs B Team O2-13.

 

Background, main purpose and tasks of the post

The SNE will carry out the following main functions and duties:

  • Provide operational support to EU Member States investigations which focus on the trafficking or production of synthetic drugs inside the EU;
  • Provide operational support, and draft  intelligence reports in relation to the raids of illicit production sites for drugs including technical and identification investigations on equipment and chemicals;
  • Draft ad hoc reports (knowledge products), such as Technical investigation/Analysis Reports specifically tailored to the investigators’ needs, and specialist reports on chemicals/equipment based on information provided by Member States;
  • Develop and update specialised products such as manuals and warning/intelligence notifications;
  • Develop, update and provide training courses for the combating of illicit (synthetic) drugs production sites; 
  • Responsible for updating the Europol Illicit Laboratory Comparison System (EILCS).

Requirements - 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.

Requirements - Selection Criteria

 

a. Professional experience (assessed mainly during the shortlisting): 

 

Essential:

  • Experience conducting and managing criminal investigations with an international dimension in the area of synthetic drugs production and trafficking;
  • Experience working in crime scenes including drug production laboratories.

Desirable:

  • Experience using technical/forensic tools used for the raiding of illicit drugs laboratories and/or technical and identification investigations and gas detection equipment.

b. Professional knowledge (assessed during the selection procedure):

 

Essential:

  • Knowledge of the synthetic drug situation affecting the EU, including the role of organised crime;
  • Knowledge of the production methods used for the manufacturing of synthetic drugs and precursors;
  • Knowledge of the chemicals and equipment used for the production of synthetic drugs and precursors including the danger and risks; 
  • Knowledge of trends, new modus operandi and new techniques in the area of synthetic drugs;
  • Knowledge of technical investigation techniques.

Desirable:

  • Knowledge of production methods of cocaine, heroin and/or cannabis including knowledge of the chemicals and equipment used for such production including the danger and risks;
  • Completed training course(s) in combatting illicit drugs laboratories.

c. General competencies (assessed during the selection procedure):

 

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:
    • Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills;
    • Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) and the internet;
    • Keen eye for detail with the ability to maintain standards of accuracy under pressure of tight deadlines.
  • 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.

Selection Procedure

 

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, Recruitment and Selection 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. 

 

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 6 highest scoring candidates (shortlisted). All candidates having a score equal to the 6th 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 performed remotely.

 

Salary

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 4 October 2019.

 

Terms and Conditions

 

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 the interview and the written test. 

 

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 between the Deputy Executive Director Capabilities Directorate and the seconding authority, specifying the details of the secondment, including as regards its duration, in accordance with the applicable MB Decision on SNEs.

 

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 Recruitment and Selection 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 our 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
Publication date:                  21 June 2021
Deadline for application:      Extended until 27 August 2021, 23:59 Amsterdam Time Zone
Selection procedure:            September 2021

 

Contact details
For further details on the application process please call +31 (0) 70 353 1146 or +31 (0) 70 353 1154.