EUROPOL – Seconded National Expert in the Corporate Communications Team

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 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 Media Relations, Press and Open Sources Office (CAB-021), Corporate Communications Team, Corporate Affairs Bureau.

Mandate of the team:
The principal function of the Corporate Communications Team is to promote awareness of Europol. The activities of the Corporate Communications Team cover looking after internal and external communication strategies, handling of press and media contacts and public request as well as organising PR events and visits. The Corporate Communications Team is also responsible for open sources research, media analyses and producing publications.

Purpose of the secondment:
The SNE will contribute to the daily work of the Corporate Communications Team by supporting the Media Relations, Press and Open Sources Office (CAB-021) with the aim to enhance Europol’s visibility and reputation among media and key stakeholders.
The role has a strong press and media relations component. The SNE will be asked to support the activities in the fields of media relations, press and communications.

Reporting lines:
The SNEs will report to the Head of the Corporate Communications Team.

FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

The SNEs will carry out the following main functions and duties:
•   Liaise with Press Offices and Communications Units in Law Enforcement Agencies and the Europol Liaison Bureau Network, in support of Europol’s Stakeholder Management strategy;
•   Contribute to press activities including press conferences, media briefings and public events with a media angle;
•   Draft press releases and other media-related documents;
• Monitor and respond to media requests and organise interviews and media visits;
• Draft and edit content to support Europol’s external communication including via Europol’s website and social media platforms; 
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of media relations strategies and plans;
•  Participate in meetings, working groups and conferences and present communication plans and strategies when required;
•   Evaluate and respond to requests from the public;
•  Contribute to the organisation and preparation of high-level visits;
• Support the coordinating and/or the organisation of awareness and prevention campaigns;
•   Monitor open sources and produce OSINT reports.

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 working in a communication team, press office or similar of a law enforcement authority;
• Experience in organising media briefings and press conferences;
• Experience in dealing with key media issues in the field of security and law enforcement and a wide variety of press/journalists.
Desirable:
• Experience in organising media visits and other media activities promoting law enforcement operations;
• Experience coordinating and/or supporting the organisation of awareness and prevention campaigns;
• Experience in preparing tailored content for social media platforms;
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary and/or multicultural environment.

b.    Professional knowledge (assessed during the selection procedure)
Essential:   
•    Ability to tailor communication to different audiences;
•    Ability to effectively handle a wide variety of issues in the field of security and law enforcement;
•    Sound knowledge of communication principles and media dynamics.
Desirable:
•    Qualifications or education in the field of communication, press and/or media relations.

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;
•    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.

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 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 or comparable practical exercise performed remotely.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

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 interview and 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 referred to in Article 4(4) of the MB Decision on SNEs, specifying the details of the secondment, including as regards its duration.

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:             28 September 2021
Deadline for application:  28 October 2021, 23:59 Amsterdam Time Zone 
Selection procedure:        November/December 2021

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

Apply

Source URL: https://www.europol.europa.eu/careers-procurement/vacancies/vacancy/534

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