Head of Unit – Analysis & Strategic Coordination

Europol; Den Haag; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Europol seeks a Head of the Analysis & Strategic Coordination Unit to lead cross‑departmental analytical work, set strategic direction, and coordinate operational support across Europol. The role requires senior experience in criminal analysis, policy development, and staff leadership within a multinational EU environment.

The incumbent will drive data‑driven decision making, ensure compliance with legal frameworks, and represent the unit in external engagements.

Qualifications

• Experience in operational and strategic criminal analysis (10+ years preferred).
• Proven ability to manage staff and resources at a senior level.
• Experience producing strategic analytical reports and policy considerations.
• Experience with EU law enforcement cooperation and cross‑departmental projects.

Responsibilities

• Set vision and objectives for the Unit in line with Europol strategy.
• Develop policies to ensure legal compliance and rights protection.
• Manage delivery of Europol products and services within the work programme.
• Lead and develop Unit staff and monitor KPIs.
• Ensure best use of financial and human resources; identify risks.
• Resolve conflicts and promote constructive outcomes across teams.
• Protect data and ensure compliance with Europol regulations.
• Foster teamwork and effective collaboration with internal/external partners.
• Represent the Unit in external engagements and negotiations.
• Provide guidance on diversity and inclusion; act as a role model.

Skills

Operational & strategic analysis

Staff management

Multicultural environment experience

Strategic analytical reporting

Education

University degree (diploma)

Professional training or equivalent level

Job description

This selection procedure is intended to fill 1 currently available post. 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 Head of Unit – Analysis & Strategic Coordination is located in the Operational and Analysis Centre (OAC), 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 (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 Operational and Analysis Centre delivers support across the Operations Directorate by delivering added value to all Centres, including several functions of operational and strategic nature:

• Information hub and 24/7 Operational support;
• Travel intelligence;
• Integrated operational services;
• EMPACT support;
• Liaison and Stakeholder coordination;
• Strategic analysis;
• Data analysis Development;
• Analysis Training.

As part of the Operational & Analysis Centre, the Analysis & Strategic Coordination Unit focuses on enhancing coordination of cross-departmental aspects of analytical work in relation to operational and strategic analysis, such as analysis training, analysis standards and quality control, data analysis support and analysis processes. The Unit also coordinates horizontal topics such as EMPACT support activities, Europol Liaison Officers, support to MS and Third-Party Liaison Bureaux and other Europol operational and strategic stakeholders.

Purpose of the post:

The Head of the Analysis & Strategic Coordination Unit is responsible for the effective discharge of his/her responsibilities under the supervision of the Head of the relevant Department.
This includes close contact with Heads of Teams and Specialists/Analysts as well as external counterparts in order to identify opportunities for operational support and to enhance operational cooperation and live information exchange with competent authorities in MS and Third Countries.

Reporting lines:

The incumbent reports to the Head of the Operational and Analysis Centre (OAC) Department.

This post might require participation in a shift system including weekends and nights as well as on-call duty.

2. Functions and duties

The successful candidate will have to carry out the following main duties:

• Set vision, goals and objectives for the Unit in alignment with Europol’s organisational strategy and inspire staff;
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to facilitate seamless operations and ensure compliance with relevant legal framework and fundamental rights outlined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union;
• Manage the delivery of relevant products and services included in the Europol work programme; ensure the quality and timeliness of the products and services delivered;
• Manage staff within the Unit; establish and monitor the achievement of key performance indicators and identify and address areas for improvement; provide constructive feedback, guide and empower staff in order to grow and develop;
• Ensure the effective management and efficient use of all financial, human and other resources, in support of Europol's program delivery; identify risks and ensure appropriate mitigation;
• Manage conflicts by effectively applying techniques and strategies that identify and address conflicts early and to find satisfactory solutions that promote positive outcomes;
• Ensure that data entrusted to the unit are protected and used in accordance with the relevant Europol regulations;
• Cultivate a culture of teamwork and cooperation with zero tolerance for harassment; put into place effective communication and collaboration between the Unit and other Units/stakeholders inside or outside of Europol;
• Make development opportunities available and ensure staff members have the know-how, resources, environment and support necessary to achieve results in an effective manner;
• Represent the Unit in external and cross-departmental engagements and negotiations and provide advice on matters relating to area of responsibility; deliver presentations and prepare reports;
• Act as role model for the Unit and champion diversity and inclusion matters inside and outside Europol;
• Perform any other duties in the area of competence as assigned by the line management.

3. Requirements - Eligibility criteria

a. Candidates must

• Be a member of a competent authority within the meaning of the Article 2(a) of the Europol Regulation and enjoy full rights as a citizen of a Member State;
• 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 post as further specified in Article 13 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 four years or more;
• OR
• A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least one year when the normal period of university education is three years;
• OR
• Professional training of an equivalent level in a relevant area (e.g., Police Officer’s School) and after having completed the training, at least the number of years of relevant professional experience as indicated below:

Duration of professional training / Additional professional experience required for equivalency
More than 6 months and up to 1 year - 4 years
More than 1 year and up to 2 years - 3 years
More than 2 years and up to 3 years - 2 years
More than 3 years - 1 year

• In addition to the above at least 12 years of professional work experience gained after the award of the diploma.

4. Requirements - Selection criteria

a) Professional experience:

Essential:

• Experience in the field of operational and strategic criminal analysis, preferably of at least 10 years;
• Experience in the production, review and quality assurance of strategic analytical reports;
• Experience in strategic, operational and/or policy matters in the field of EU law enforcement cooperation;
• Experience in managing staff of at least 5 years preferably in the area of criminal analysis;
• Experience with administration, finances and planning at management level;
• Experience working in a multicultural environment.

Desirable: