Cost-free Seconded National Experts within Europol Innovation Lab

• Reference numberEuropol/2026/SNE/COST-FREE/Innovation Lab
• Deadline:29 Oct 2026, 23:59 CET

• Department:C3-1 Information Management Unit

• TypeRestricted

• Contract type:Seconded National Expert

• Publish date30 Sept 2026

• Update date:01 Oct 2026

1. Organisational context

Purpose of the secondments:

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

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.

5. 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.

6. 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. 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 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.

7. 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.

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.

The secondment of a successful candidate is finally affected by an exchange of letters referred to in Article 3(4) of the MB Decision on SNEs, specifying the details of the secondment, including as regards its duration.

8. 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.

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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

Duration of the secondment:

The period of active secondment, including any extension, shall not exceed four years.