Senior Agent – Operations Support (FGIV)

This selection procedure is intended to establish a reserve list of successful candidates. It is envisaged to start using the reserve list in Q3/Q4 of 2026.

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 Agent – Operations Support is located in the Expertise & Stakeholder Management Units of European Serious and Organised Crime Centre (ESOCC) and The European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS), 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. 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 MS’ investigations of serious and organised crime.

 

The main tasks of ESOCC are to:

 

• Provide operational support to prioritised cases;
• Support Member States investigations with expertise in digital domain and special tactics;
• Support the EU Policy Cycle through the implementation of EMPACT priorities;
• Support the development of the strategic intelligence picture on serious and organised crime.

The European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS) strengthens Europol’s capabilities to fight against organised migrant smuggling and human trafficking. ECAMS enhances strategic, operational and technical support to MS to prevent and combat migrant smuggling, working closely with key EU agencies such as Eurojust and Frontex. This initiative forms part of broader efforts to reinforce EU internal security by tackling complex, cross-border criminal networks while supporting the identification and protection of victims.

Purpose of the post:
The incumbent will support the planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring of operational activities and projects, ensuring effective delivery through timely reporting, stakeholder coordination and management of operational processes. The Senior Agent – Operations Support contributes to the development and implementation of data-driven and technology-enabled solutions by supporting cooperation with relevant internal and external stakeholders.

 

This will be achieved by supporting temporary agents and senior staff in the evaluation of the products and services before any external dissemination or use.

Reporting lines:

The incumbent reports to (Senior) Specialist/Head of Team.

 

Job environment:

This position 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:

 

• Assist in the in planning and coordination of operational activities and initiatives;
• Support temporary agents in engagement with private parties in developing technical solutions to support data driven investigations;
• Develop and implement projects;
• Monitor deliverables to ensure that time, cost and quality are within schedule and budget; support the coordination of resources and processes where applicable;
• Regularly report progress and status; prepare and present management reports; address issues and escalate to management for resolution where necessary;
• Draft operations-related documentation and produce written assignments;
• Assist with or carry out research on assigned topics related to ongoing initiatives;
• Perform any other duties in the area of competence as assigned by line management.

3. Requirements - Eligibility criteria

a. Candidates must

• Be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union and enjoy full rights as a citizen;
• 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 position (prior to appointment the successful candidate will be medically examined by one of the institution’s medical officers in order that the institution may be satisfied that the candidate fulfils the requirements of Article 12(2)(d) 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 3 years or more.

OR

 

• Have professional training of an equivalent level, and after having completed the training, at least the number of years of relevant professional experience as indicated below:

 

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

 

4. Requirements - Selection criteria
a. Professional experience

Essential: 

• Experience in supporting the planning, coordination and implementation of activities or projects in the area of Justice and Home Affairs (candidates are requested to provide examples in their application form);
• Experience in stakeholder coordination and cooperation;
• Experience in supporting operational activities through the effective use of technological and/or data-driven solutions (candidates are requested to provide examples of the solutions used);
• Experience in drafting and presenting reports and other documentation.

Desirable: 

• Experience working in an international organisation or international working environment;
• Experience working in law enforcement in particular in the area of serious and organised crime;
• Experience in analysing decentralised data systems (e.g. Digital asset analysis, Blockchain analytics)

b.    Professional knowledge 

Essential: 

• Ability to support the planning, implementation, monitoring, and delivery of projects;
• Ability to collect, analyse, structure, and communicate information;
• Knowledge of Europol’s legal framework, particularly in relation to cooperation with third parties;
• Knowledge of data protection principles applicable to Europol.

Desirable: 

• Project management qualification or certification.

 

c.    General competencies 
Essential:

Communicating:

• Very good communication skills in English, both orally and in writing;
• Very good drafting skills and attention to detail.

 

Analysing & problem solving:

• Keen eye for detail with the ability to maintain standards of accuracy under pressure of tight deadlines;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills including the ability to anticipate potential problems, to determine and to implement solutions;
• 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.

 

5.     Selection procedure

 

All applications for Contract Agent posts must be submitted through the online recruitment system accessible via Europol’s website.

 

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 of Europol and one member designated by the Staff Committee.

 

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). 

 

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 10 highest scoring candidates. All candidates having a score equal to the 10th 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. 

 

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.

 

Specifically, the successful candidate is required to hold an EPSO validated language certificate or diploma of at least level B2 - as referred to in the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

 

Conditions of engagement
Before the employment contract is concluded by Europol, the successful candidate will have to:

 

• declare any conflict of interest;
• undergo a pre-employment medical examination to confirm that he/she is physically fit to perform the duties pertaining to the post or, alternatively, receive the confirmation from Europol that he/she fulfils the conditions laid down in the Decision of the Deputy Executive Director of the Capabilities Directorate on the pre-employment medical examination available on www.europol.europa.eu;

The place of employment will be The Hague, The Netherlands.

 

Probation period
Engagement for this post is subject to the successful completion of a probationary period of 9 months. 

In case of successive contracts under Article 3a) of the CEOS, a candidate may be exempt from the requirement to serve another probationary period in accordance with the provisions of the Decision of the Management Board of Europol of 4 October 2019 governing the conditions of employment of contract staff employed under the terms of Article 3a) thereof.

Europol reserves the right to terminate the contract of employment during or at the end of the probation period in accordance with Article 84 the CEOS.

 

Security screening and certificate of good conduct
Candidates who have been recruited to a post at Europol are required to furnish a valid certificate of good conduct before the start of their employment. The certificate of good conduct must be provided to Europol prior to the signature of the employment contract. The certificate of good conduct must be issued by the relevant authorities of the country of nationality of the candidate and must not be older than three months at the time of submission to Europol. Europol reserves the right not to proceed with the signature of the contract based on the content of the certificate or if the candidate fails to provide the certificate to Europol.

 

The certificate of good conduct does not substitute a valid security clearance required for all Europol staff at the level indicated in the vacancy notice. Failure to obtain the requisite security clearance may be cause for termination of the employment contract.

 

Candidates who currently hold a valid security clearance at the level indicated in the vacancy notice or above do not need to obtain a certificate of good conduct or a new security clearance and must provide a copy of the current security clearance certificate to Europol prior to the signature of the employment contract. Europol shall verify and confirm the continued validity of the security clearance. In case Europol determines that the security clearance is not valid, the candidate will be required to provide a valid certificate of good conduct prior to the signature of the employment contract. Europol may at any time terminate the employment contract if the result of the security screening is not positive and the necessary clearance level is not granted or extended.

 

The requested level of security clearance for this post is: CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU

 

CONFIDENTIAL. 

For further information on terms and conditions, please consult the EUSR/CEOS available on Europol’s website.

 

8. Additional information

Equal opportunity
Europol is an equal opportunity employer. Europol accepts 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. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and qualifications, experience and skills.

 

Europol lives diversity and provides an inclusive work environment to all. Europol strives to recruit, develop and retain a diverse and talented workforce through application of equal opportunity and impartiality.

 

Privacy Notice
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 staff at Europol, following the application of this Regulation to all administrative personal data held by Europol in accordance with Article 27a of the Europol Regulation.

 

For additional information, please consult the applicable privacy notice available on Europol’s website, also inserted in the EUROPOL RECRUITMENT GUIDELINES.

 

Statutory obligations upon leaving the service

Pursuant to Article 16 of the EUSR, EU officials and, by analogy, contract agents continue to be bound by the duty to behave with integrity and discretion as regards the acceptance of certain appointments or benefits after leaving the service. Those staff members intending to engage in an occupational activity within two years of leaving the service shall inform their institution, so that it may take an appropriate decision in that respect. In cases where the intended activity is related to the work carried out by the staff member during the last three years of service and could lead to a conflict with the legitimate interests of the institution, the decision to be taken may include forbidding the staff member from undertaking it or giving its approval subject to any conditions it thinks fit.

Main dates
Publication date: 21 July 2026
Deadline for application: 05 August 2026, 23:59 Amsterdam Time Zone
Recruitment procedure: September/October 2026

 

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 available on Europol’s website.