Criminal Intelligence Officer - Maritime Security Projects

Vacancy Notice 815

INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 196 Member Countries. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations, authorities, and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime. 

INTERPOL strives to achieve a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcomes applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. To achieve our Diversity goals, we encourage applications from women and nationals of under/unrepresented member countries who are passionate about our mission. INTERPOL’s recruitment process is merit-based hence all hiring decisions are made considering the applicant’s qualifications and the needs of the Organization.

Job Title: Criminal Intelligence Officer - Maritime Security Projects 
Reporting To: Senior Project Manager or Project Manager
Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast & Nairobi, Kenya
Type of contract: Project Fixed-term Contract 
Duration (in months: 15 months or more (depending on project) 
Grade: 5   
Number of posts: several
Level of Security screening:  Basic
Deadline for application: 19 December 2024

Conditions applying for all candidates

Only professional experience for which candidates can provide official proof of employment will be considered. Candidates could be requested to provide copies of such official documents prior to interviews/test.

* This position is financed by a third-party, external to the Organization with funding provided by the donor. Although there is a commitment from the donor, the appointment may be terminated prior to 31 May 2026, should the external funding for this position no longer be available. This position also carries, in principle, no expectation of renewal. Any potential subsequent extension will be subject to the terms of the Organization’s Staff Manual, to satisfactory performance and to availability of funds.

Tests/interviews in connection to this selection procedure will take place approximately 3-4 weeks after the deadline for applications. Applicants are kindly requested to plan their availability during this period accordingly, in case they are short-listed.

​Selected candidates will be expected to report for duty approximately two to three months after receiving an offer of employment at the latest.

This selection exercise may be used to generate a reserve list of suitable candidates that may be used to address Organization's similar staffing needs in the future.

 INTRODUCTION TO POST

The Counter-Terrorism (CT) Directorate, through its Sub-Directorates supports all member countries to identify opportunities in countering terrorism related activities through the collection, analysis and sharing of information among INTERPOL’s 196 member country’s national law enforcement units. CT Sub-Directorate’s activities are global in scope and implemented through regionally focused programmes, projects and actions. In pursuit of these activities, post holders will be a member of a team whose principal roles are to:

• increasing the analysis, flow and exchange of information related to countering terrorism
• sharing and building knowledge, skills and expertise in the counter-terrorism area
• developing and enhancing partnerships with organizations that deal with CT issues
• developing and coordinating good practices and standards in areas of countering terrorism.

Criminal Intelligence Officers are accountable for coordinating and liaising with national law enforcement authorities of INTERPOL’s member countries. Incumbents are expected to focus on opportunities to strengthen border security aspects through physical and virtual domains; enhance biometric collection and use; and assist member countries to collect and share information to more effectively counter the terror threat. The Criminal Intelligence Officer will support CT Directorate staff and other INTERPOL leadership through analysis and reporting, including preparing status reports, presentations, intelligence reports, supporting operational deployments and other priorities as they arise.

These positions are advertised for Abidjan and Nairobi.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ACTIVITIES

Under the authority of the Director CT, and within the scope of INTERPOL’s Counter-Terrorism Global Strategy, the Criminal Intelligence Officer will: 

1. Assist member countries in the detection and positive identification of members of transnational terrorist groups and their facilitators, coupled with delivering key operational and strategic outcomes in the fight against terrorism in accordance with the strategic plan of the organization. Also, identify, establish and maintain contact with experts in this field within the General Secretariat, in member country law enforcement agencies and/or in partner organizations. 
2. Monitor and analyze information related to known terrorist groups and their affiliates, including foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) bound for or returning from active conflict zones. Promote the knowledge and use of INTERPOL Policing Capabilities by member countries and seek intelligence sharing initiatives to progress investigative cooperation.
3. Identify major or evolving terrorist threats and provide reports to inform the global intelligence picture and aid decision making at the operational and strategic level. Prepare intelligence reports for dissemination to member countries.
4. Design and coordinate cross-border intelligence-led inter-agency operations, and explore areas where INTERPOL can support intelligence and investigative activities. Act in the capacity of a police advisory role within projects or initiatives being conducted to ensure INTERPOL’s unique capacities and capabilities are utilized fully to support member countries. 
5. Enhance the understanding and capacity of member countries by organizing and participating in training and capability development programmes, expert working group meetings and conferences. Enhance information sharing by facilitating and encouraging contributions to INTERPOL Criminal Information System (ICIS), CT Directorate’s Crime Analysis Files (CT-CAF) and the Global Maritime Security Database, as well as by capturing – with the approval of member countries – information presented in these workshops and other INTERPOL meetings, as well as developing remedies and best practice solutions to problems limiting the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies.
6. Research, identify and promote technologies and other innovations that contribute to the prevention and investigation of terrorism.
7. Perform any other related duties as may be required by the supervisor.

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATION REQUIRED:

• Three to four years education at a University or other specialized higher education establishment (e.g. counter terrorism, justice, international relations) required. 
• Law enforcement training at a medium to senior level.

    
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• At least three years experience in conducting investigations in counter-terrorism, or other complex transnational organized crimes would be highly desirable.
• Ten years experience in the area is requested if the post holder does not have the required level of education.
• Experience in countering terrorism and transnational organized crime in the maritime domain is highly desirable.
• Extensive experience as a law enforcement officer, particularly in the area of counter-terrorism or serious organized crime; either in the field of investigations and/or intelligence.
• Sound background in specialized criminal investigations including regional and national expertise or the provision of operational police support, including international outreach.
• Experience working in an international environment would be highly desirable; either from employment in an international organization or from participating in for example international working groups, joint international projects etc.
• Good knowledge of INTERPOL, its databases, tools and resources would be an asset.

    
LANGUAGES:

• Professional fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of French is considered a strong asset.
• Working knowledge of Portuguese is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of other official INTERPOL languages is desirable.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Strong communication skills, both in written and oral form (public speaking and delivery of presentations).
• Experience in working with computers, including knowledge of oral presentations software, business intelligence and word processing software.

SPECIAL APTITUDES REQUIRED:

• Ability to :
  • think/plan operationally and strategically
  • transform initiatives into new working practices
  • prepare written documents, including intelligence reports, and visual presentations that meet professional standards
  • give presentations and provide relevant training
  • independently analyse complex/large volumes of material
  • work within a multi-faceted investigative/intelligence team concept
  • work well under pressure (meet sudden deadlines)
  • develop and maintain professional networks
• Good communication skills, particularly working in a multicultural environment
• Willingness to work overtime when the situation dictates
• Proficiency with computers and the Internet
• Experience in international police cooperation
• Specific knowledge of issues related to counter-terrorism.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Remuneration for appointment on contract: Salary scales of all duty stations of INTERPOL can be found at https://www.interpol.int/What-you-can-do/Careers/Vacancies. The starting point is step 1 and one additional step will be granted for every 3 years of fully relevant experience. The salary scales of INTERPOL’s officials are adjusted at least once per year (more under exceptional circumstances) on the basis of the methodology used for the calculation of the Purchase Power Parity (PPP).

• The successful candidate may be offered appointment on a higher step depending upon professional background and experience. For more information regarding conditions of service see Employment conditions for contracted officials available on the Organization’s career website (https://www.interpol.int/What-you-can-do/Careers).

• The incumbent may occasionally be required to work occasional overtime based upon workload and to go on missions.

• Within the limits of the applicable regulations in the duty station, INTERPOL supports selected candidates’ visa applications and/or special residence permits.

In compliance with INTERPOL’s Confidentiality regime the successful candidate will have to undergo a security screening according to the clearance level attached to the function.

• INTERPOL has four official languages: English, French, Spanish and Arabic.

• INTERPOL retains the right not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower or upper grade, to make an appointment with a modified job description or for a shorter or longer duration than indicated above.

• INTERPOL would like to inform candidates that their application may be considered for other similar positions.

• INTERPOL operates a non-smoking policy.