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 Specialist - EU Drugs Unit is located in Drugs (A) Team, EU Drugs Unit, European Serious and Organised Crime Centre (ESOCC) Department, 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;
- Engage and support international working and expert groups in the field of special tactics, specifically undercover operations;
- 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 EU Drugs Unit supports Member States (MS) investigations through the activities of AP Drugs Crime and AP Weapons and Explosives by collecting intelligence associated with the criminal activities of suspected individuals, OCGs and criminal networks involved in the production, processing or trafficking of drugs, including intelligence relating to precursor chemicals and in the illicit production, trafficking, diversion and use of weapons and explosives.
Purpose of the post:
Specialist - EU Drugs Unit will support the competent authorities of the Member States, in preventing or combating areas of criminality within Europol’s mandate, specifically associated with drugs related organised crime.
This is achieved by supporting MS investigations and operations, providing a high level of expertise, proposing initiatives and delivering timely, relevant products and services to Europol stakeholders.
Reporting lines:
The incumbent reports to the Head of the Drugs (A) Team.
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:
- Enhance Europol’s ability to exploit criminal intelligence in support of drug-related investigations;
- Take a key role in projects with an emphasis on drug-related and serious and organised crime projects and Operational Taskforces;
- Provide specialised knowledge and expertise to operational activities in the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking;
- Identify, initiate and assist in producing analytical outputs (operational and strategic) and other relevant intelligence products;
- Establish close contacts with Liaison Officers and the field investigative units to encourage and support operational activities in the field of responsibility of the relevant Analysis Projects;
- Represent Europol at specialised expert meetings and other external events;
- Participate in stand-by duty and/or shift work when required;
- Perform any other duties in the area of competence as assigned by the line manager.
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 of at least three years attested by a diploma;
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 - 3 years
More than 1 year and up to 2 years - 2 years
More than 2 years - 1 year.
In addition to the above at least 3 years of total professional work experience gained after the award of the diploma.
4. Requirements - Selection criteria
a. Professional experience
Essential:
- Experience in developing, coordinating or conducting investigations in relation to fighting international drugs related crime;
- Experience in international law enforcement cooperation in the area of drugs related organised crime, specifically focused on the development and coordination of long-term and complex drug-related international investigations and operational actions;
- Experience in participating in or coordinating multi-disciplinary investigation teams or Operational Task Forces (OTFs), investigating serious and organised crime at domestic and European level;
- Experience in producing reports of operational and strategic nature.
Desirable:
- Experience in the development of covert type of investigations by utilising special law enforcement tactics and techniques.
- Experience in the development, coordination and/or analysis of maritime drug-related operations.
b. Professional knowledge
Essential:
- Knowledge of the law enforcement environment and practices at international level in the area of drugs related crime;
- Knowledge of the current trends and level of threat and vulnerabilities in the area of drugs production, trafficking and distribution in the EU and globally;
- Knowledge of developing and conducting investigations and coordinating international complex operations with regard to drugs related crime;
- Knowledge of international police cooperation, in relation to drugs related crime.
c. 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:
- Keen eye for detail with the ability to maintain standards of accuracy under pressure of tight deadlines;
- Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills;
- 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:
- Very good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well, both independently and in a team;
- Ability to remain effective under a heavy workload and demonstrate resistance to stress.
Living diversity:
- Ability to work effectively in an international and multi-cultural environment.
d. Additional conditions:
Fulfil the condition stipulated in Article 5 of the Decision of the Executive Director on the Duration of contracts of employment for Temporary Agents, on the start date of the possible contract of employment which may be offered.
5. Selection procedure
All applications for Temporary Agent posts must be submitted through the online recruitment system accessible via Europol’s website. For further information, please consult the Europol Recruitment Guidelines.
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 and one member designated by the Staff Committee.
For restricted posts (including restricted - Annex II posts), the AACC designates up to two additional members of the Selection Committee if so requested by the Chairperson of the Management Board. The additional members shall consist of a representative of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union or one representative of the Presidency and one representative of another Member State.
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).
In case of candidates shortlisted for restricted posts (including restricted - Annex II posts), who had indicated membership of a competent authority in one of the Member States, Europol will seek confirmation from the relevant Europol National Unit to ensure that those candidates indeed belong to a competent authority.
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 8 highest scoring candidates. All candidates having a score equal to the 8th 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.
All enquiries related to a selection procedure should be addressed to the Europol HR Operational Support Team at the following email address: [email protected]. 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 www.europol.europa.eu.
6. Compensation and benefits
Scale: AD6
The gross basic monthly salary is EUR 6.961,69 (step 1) or EUR 7.253,84 (step 2).
The step in grade is determined on the basis of professional experience gained after the education required for the post and in line with applicable implementing rules.
Staff pay EU tax at source but salaries are exempt from national taxes. Compulsory deductions are made for health insurance, pension and unemployment insurance.
Subject to the applicable conditions being met, as defined in the EU Staff Regulations (EUSR)/CEOS and further specified in the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, allowances such as expatriation allowance (16% of basic gross salary) or foreign residence allowance (4% of basic gross salary), household allowance, dependent child and / or education allowance may be granted.
Staff enjoy worldwide insurance coverage by the Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme (JSIS) and are insured against sickness, the risk of occupational disease and accident.
Europol offers flexible working arrangements, a comprehensive provision for annual leave as well as parental leave supporting a healthy work-life balance.
Indicative net salary sample calculation AD6/1:
a) Staff member (single) in receipt of expatriation allowance (16%): EUR 7240
b) Staff member with two dependent children in their custody in receipt of expatriation allowance (16%): EUR 9436
The above information is indicative and for information purposes only. It is merely meant to give an indication of the possible net salary in light of the currently applicable amounts of the related allowances and the level of taxation. It has no legal value and no rights can be derived from it.
The information is based on figures applicable as of July 2025.
7. Terms and conditions
Contract of employment
The successful candidate will be engaged in the type of post Administrator and function group AD, grade 6 pursuant to Article 2(f) CEOS and Annex I to the EUSR.
The initial contract will be concluded for a period of 5 years (full-time – 40 hours a week). The contract may be renewed only once, in principle, for a period of 5 years.
The overall duration of the contracts on restricted posts of Europol staff members will be taken into account if they are successful in the selection procedure.
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;
- in case of candidates for restricted posts (including restricted - Annex II posts) who had indicated membership of a competent authority in one of the Member States, provide confirmation of his/her membership of a competent authority in one of the Member States within the meaning of the Article 2(a) of the Europol Regulation.
The place of employment will be The Hague, The Netherlands.
For further information on terms and conditions, please consult the EUSR/CEOS available on Europol’s website www.europol.europa.eu
Probation period
Engagement for this post is subject to the successful completion of a probationary period of 9 months.
Europol reserves the right to terminate the contract of employment during or at the end of the probation period in accordance with Article 14 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: CONFIDENTIAL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL.
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, temporary 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: 30 June 2026
Deadline for application: 28 July 2026, 23:59 Amsterdam Time Zone
Selection procedure: August / September 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.
Contact details
In case of further questions please call +31 (0) 70 302 5066 or +31 (0) 70 302 5022.
