Senior Specialist – Head of Team – 24/7 Operational Centre, Operational Centre Unit (AD7) - European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (AD7, The Hague)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Supervise, coordinate and give guidance to the 24/7 Operational Centre Team
• Plan, coordinate and deliver services and products provided by the Team
• Coordinate work of team members through effective planning, prioritisation, and scheduling of tasks
• Monitor progress of work in line with key performance indicators
• Define and supervise accurate and timely execution of processes and procedures
• Lead and coordinate 24/7 support of operational activities
• Manage and oversee delivery of operational analytical products and services
• Engage and cooperate with relevant partners including Member States and third parties

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Level of education corresponding to completed university studies attested by a diploma when normal period of university education is four years or more; OR completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least one year when normal period of university education is at least three years; OR professional training of equivalent level in relevant area (…
• Experience: At least 6 years of total professional work experience gained after the award of the diploma
• Languages: one of the languages of the Union (thoroug…), another language of the Union (satisfa…)
• Key skills: Handling operational information and data, Operational criminal analysis, Managing operational activities in 24/7 or time-critical environment, Operational law enforcement cooperation with multiple internal and external stakeholders, Using international law enforcement communication channels, Planning or coordinating complex operational activities, Applying digital solutions, automation, artificial intelligence or advanced analytical capabilities, Driving change and implementing new processes or working methods, Crisis management, incident response or business continuity
• Eligibility: Be a member of a competent authority within the meaning of Article 2(a) of the Europol Regulation and enjoy full rights as a citizen of a Member State; have fulfilled any obligations imposed by applicable laws on military service; produce appropriate character references; be physically fit to perform the duties

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Reserve list envisaged to start being used in Q1/Q2 of 2027.

Hiring unit: 24/7 Operational Centre Team, Operational Centre Unit, Operational & Analysis Centre (OAC), Operations Directorate.

Position details

Reference

Europol/2026/TA/AD7/784

Directorate-General

O1 Operational and Analysis Centre (OAC)

Last Verified

29 October 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Senior Specialist – Head of Team – 24/7 Operational Centre, Operational Centre Unit (AD7) at Europol based in The Hague at the AD7 grade level (Temporary Agent). The vacancy reference is Europol/2026/TA/AD7/784. It is hosted by O1 Operational and Analysis Centre (OAC), the Directorate-General responsible for this policy area.

This selection procedure is intended to establish a reserve list of successful candidates. It is envisaged to start using the reserve list in Q1/Q2 of 2027.

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 Specialist – Head of Team – 24/7 Operational Centre is located in 24/7 Operational Centre Team, Operational Centre Unit, Operational & 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.

The main tasks of the Operational Centre Unit are: - Ensures 24/7 availability and monitoring of information exchange; - Provides operational support to Europol’s Operational Centres (including processing, crosschecking and handling cases); - Initiates immediate actions and crisis response mechanisms; - Supports major events and operations;

Purpose of the post:

As Head of Team, the incumbent will supervise, coordinate and give guidance to the 24/7 Operational Centre Team.

The incumbent will further be responsible for the planning, coordination and delivery of services and products provided by the Team, enhancing Europol’s ability to exploit criminal intelligence with the aim of supporting investigations of MS and third parties and for providing assistance to the Head of Unit with regular and case-by-case reporting, relevant updates and statistics.

Reporting lines:

The incumbent reports to the Head of the Operational Centre Unit.

Job environment:

This post 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: General Head of Team responsibilities - Coordinate the work of a group of individuals by effective and efficient planning, prioritisation, and scheduling of tasks and responsibilities; - Monitor progress of work in line with key performance indicators; ensure work being produced is of high quality and meets business needs; apply corrective measures where needed; - Define and supervise the accurate and timely execution of processes and procedures to ensure adherence to corporate policies, fundamental rights, standards and data protection regulations; - Set clear expectations and objectives and direct work towards a common goal; - Identify, address and propose resolutions to issues affecting the team; - Provide constructive feedback, guidance and support and coach team members; - Encourage continuous learning and development of team members; - Create an open, honest and inclusive team culture with respect for diversity, where team members are encouraged to perform at their best.

Specific responsibilities - Lead and coordinate a wide range of activities related to the 24/7 support of operational activities, ensuring effective prioritisation, continuity and timely response to operational requirements such as first response operational analysis reporting; - Manage and oversee the delivery of relevant operational analytical products and services, ensuring their quality, accuracy, consistency and timely delivery in accordance with established requirements and standards; - Engage and cooperate effectively with relevant partners, establishing and maintaining close working relationships with Member States (MS), third parties and other stakeholders to initiate, facilitate, stimulate and support operational activities; - Facilitate and continuously improve the flow of operational information between Europol, MS and third parties through the effective use and monitoring of available communication channels, systems and databases; - Plan, coordinate and support Europol's involvement in deployments, action days and other operational activities, including the provision of Europol support during major international events; - Drive technological innovation and digital transformation within the 24/7 operational environment, identifying opportunities to leverage new and emerging technologies, leading their implementation and adoption and ensuring that solutions enhance operational effectiveness, efficiency, resilience and service delivery across Europol; - Prepare and contribute to reports, briefings, presentations and other documentation within the area of responsibility for both internal and external audiences; - Advise on, develop and implement policies, procedures and working arrangements that facilitate seamless and effective operations across the organisation, ensuring alignment with applicable legal, operational and organisational frameworks; - Ensure compliance with internal operational requirements, procedures and standards, and oversee the consistent implementation of applicable workflows and operational data standards; - Act as a principal point of contact and subject-matter expert within the area of responsibility, both internally and externally, providing expert advice and guidance on operational support, information and data intake and handling. - Lead, coordinate or play a key role in projects and project-oriented activities, with particular emphasis on initiatives related to the area of responsibility, contributing to their effective planning, implementation and delivery;

- Represent Europol at events and visits, organize and facilitate working groups, meetings or conferences to increase awareness and provide expert knowledge and advice in the area of responsibility; - Perform any other duties in the area of competence as assigned by 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 at least 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 6years of total professional work experience gained after the award of the diploma.

4. Requirements - Selection criteria

a. Professional experience Essential: - Experience in handling operational information and data; - Experience in operational criminal analysis; - Experience in managing operational activities in a 24/7 or other time-critical environment; - Experience in operational law enforcement cooperation with multiple internal and external stakeholders; - Experience in using international law enforcement communication channels, preferably including Europol’s information systems and databases; - Experience in planning or coordinating complex operational activities, such as deployments or major events or other multi-stakeholder operational initiatives.

Desirable: - Experience in applying digital solutions, automation, artificial intelligence or advanced analytical capabilities to improve data and information processes, including translating operational requirements into technology solutions; - Experience in driving change and implementing new processes or working methods; - Experience working in an international environment; - Experience in crisis management, incident response or business continuity.

b.

Salary at this grade

Basic monthly salary at AD7 runs from €7,876 (step 1) to €8,911 (top step), giving an annual range of roughly €94,512 to €106,932 before tax and allowances. Steps increase automatically every two years; the figures here are taken from the salary grid in the EU Staff Regulations.

Eligible staff posted away from their country of nationality also receive an expatriation allowance worth 16% of basic salary (around €1,260 per month at step 1 of AD7) together with household, dependent-child, and education allowances where applicable. Take-home pay is then adjusted by the country correction coefficient for The Hague. For a worked example see our correction coefficients guide and the EU salaries overview.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 29 October 2026, today.

The application deadline is 1 December 2026, 33 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 29 October 2026.

Where to learn more

For full responsibilities, requirements, and career progression at AD7 see our AD7 grade page; for headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at Europol see the Europol institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in The Hague see our The Hague location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.