External Relations Officer

Vacancy Notice 1384

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: External Relations Officer 
Reporting To: Spokesperson
Location: Lyon 
Type of contract: Fixed-term Contract 
Duration (in months): 36.00 
Grade: 5   
Number of posts: 1
Level of Security screening:  Basic
Deadline for application: 17 October 2025

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.

* Subsequent extension to this post 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 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 OF THE POST
Within the Executive Directorate Partnerships and Planning (EDPP), the Communications Directorate (COM) leads and delivers all external and internal communications for INTERPOL, including media engagement, social media, design and print, websites and stakeholder engagement. Our focus is to inform key stakeholders and audiences about the role of INTERPOL, its importance in the international security landscape and the value of transnational police and security cooperation.

As part of the news team, the External Relations Officer will provide support to the Spokesperson as part of the overall implementation of the Organization’s strategic messages. Under the overall leadership of the Director Communications, the External Relations Officer will assist in building and monitoring media relations, provide support in handling crisis communications as well as to the Secretary General for internal and on external communications.

PRIMARY DUTIES

DUTY 1 - Media relations and social media
• Utilise engagement with the media to promote the activities of the Organization, including proactive engagement with broadcasters and documentary makers, long-term journalist engagement and building partnerships with other organizations;
• Manage and respond to reactive media enquiries;
• Manage and organize media interviews with INTERPOL staff, including the Secretary General and subject matter experts;
• Provide briefing materials for the Secretary General for interviews and press conferences;
• Create, post and support the production of multimedia content for INTERPOL social media channels.

DUTY 2 - Support strategic messages for engagement
• Support, and represent where necessary, the Director of Communications and Spokesperson in implementing the strategic messages for engagement across a range of stakeholders (Media, Police Chiefs, Ministers, Member countries, Executive Committee etc.);
• In coordination with policy analysts and specialized crime units, draft support material (speeches, blogs, contributions to external publications) to deliver strategic and institutional messages by the Secretary General;
• Accompany the Secretary General on mission on a case by case basis.

DUTY 3 - Support communications team
• Plan and monitor the work of staff reporting to the External Relations Officer and coordinate with all colleagues involved;
• Oversee management of media monitoring and tools;
• Work cooperatively and flexibly to support colleagues across communications, including sharing best practices, providing content and providing support and ideas;
• May work on cross-cutting projects as required.

DUTY 4 - Other
• Any other duties required by the hierarchy.

REQUIREMENTS
All candidates will be assessed on the under mentioned requirements. Please only include professional experience for which you can provide official proof of employment (i.e. pay-slip indicating your functional title, work certificates, etc.). You could be asked to provide copies of such documents prior to interviews/tests. Any discrepancies found between the information stated in any of your application documents and the evidence of employment provided, will be considered misrepresentation and may lead to your disqualification from this selection procedure. This is especially important for your current and previous functional titles (they need to be exactly the same as the one in your contractual agreement), exact dates of employment, description of responsibilities and achievements, reason(s) for leaving and part-time work.

Training/Education required
• At least three years’ completed University degree in a relevant domain.

Experience required
• At least three years’ experience, full time, in communication, journalism and/or media relations.

Languages
• Professional fluency in English (written and oral).
• Working knowledge of any additional INTERPOL official languages (Arabic, French, Spanish) would be an asset.

Specific skills required
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral;
• Strong social media skills;
• Personal and professional maturity;
• Good social skills, particularly in a multicultural environment;
• Ability to perform at the highest level in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment;
• Ability to develop and maintain professional networks;
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, with minimum supervision;
• Discipline and high degree of self-motivation;
• Demonstrate initiative and creativity.