Strategy and Policy Advisor - Reserve List

Vacancy Notice 1541

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: Strategy and Policy Advisor - Reserve List
Reporting To:
Location: Lyon 
Type of contract: Fixed-term Contract 
Duration (in months): 36.00 
Grade: 4   
Number of post: 1
Level of Security screening: Enhanced
Deadline for application: 31 December 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 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 will be used to generate a reserve list of suitable candidates that may be used to address Organization's similar staffing needs in the future.

SUMMARY OF THE ASSIGNED DUTIES,INCLUDING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE POST

Within the Policy Advice Office (PAO)/Cabinet of the Secretary General, the Strategy and Policy Advisor works under supervision of the hierarchy to initiate and perform developmental and strategic research and analysis on matters relating to the structure, activities, internal and external events, and development of organizational issues in support of INTERPOL mission, operational activities and/or senior managerial decision-making processes and, in addition, contributes to the further development of strategic analysis as a vital law enforcement support tool.

The Strategy and Policy Advisor provides extensive, cogent, complete and timely advice and support to senior management’s (Secretary General, Cabinet and, on an ad hoc basis, Executive Directors) missions, visits, conferences and bilateral engagements. He or she furthers establishes and maintains coordination with high-level stakeholders in member countries and partner organizations (ministerial and other national policy-level staff; international policy-setting bodies) in support of the promotion and material support of INTERPOL priorities and interests, as identified by INTERPOL General Secretariat hierarchy, the Executive Committee (EC) and General Assembly (GA).

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ACTIVITIES

The Strategy and Policy Advisor is, according to organizational priorities and individual skill sets and experience, expected to carry out a combination of the following specialized duties under regular supervision of his/her hierarchy:

DUTY 1/Mission 1

To provide direct strategic advice and support to the INTERPOL Secretary General by drafting/preparing speeches, presentations, talking points, statements, official correspondence, and other strategic documents for public use/dissemination.

As part of Duty N°. 1:

• To research, draft and review speeches, statements, official correspondence and other strategic documents for public dissemination, also in the context of statutory and major international events/meetings (including Head-of-state/Ministerial level meetings).
• To perform analysis making maximum use of open-source data, academic and specialized journals, internal publications and resources, and other sources to perform research, gain a comprehensive perspective and understanding of the relevant issues, and analyze trends, current events and geopolitical/diplomatic developments within the framework of the Organization’s mission and strategic aims and objectives.
• To liaise with senior-level officials both inside and outside the Organization to ensure the precision and adequate context of the information used for the above purposes.
• To deliver finished analytical written products (containing inferences and recommendations) in printed, digital, or oral form, ranging from regular oral briefings to highly complex written products, often resulting in new insights that have a major impact on the understanding and interpretation of the subject matter.
• To attend INTERPOL meetings and conferences, as well as external conferences and workshops, often delivering reports and (computer-aided) lectures on complex subjects and sometimes distributing reports as well, as may be required by the hierarchy.
• To assist in the development and implementation of new strategies and methods for analysis and dissemination, allowing delivery of timely and relevant strategic analytical products.
• To develop and maintain contact networks, both within the INTERPOL structure and with external organizations in their capacities as partners, sources of information or clients.
• To continuously review, evaluate and analyze a wide variety of specialist periodicals, journals, academic research papers, organizational planning reports, policy documents, as well as sources on the Internet and provided by commercial databases, according to projects needs or assigned areas of subject specialization, in order to keep abreast of developments in the fields studied.

DUTY 2/Mission 2

To provide direct strategic support to the INTERPOL Secretary General, and, on ad hoc basis, to Executive Directors, in support of official missions, visits, conferences and bilateral/multilateral meetings with senior government and law enforcement officials, other international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and private-sector representatives.

As part of Duty N°. 2:

• To support the definition of mission objectives; provide real-time policy and strategic guidance to senior management on site; identify and disseminate follow-up indications upon return to the General Secretariat with relevant units.
• To liaise with senior-level officials internal and external (international partners and member countries’ Interior, Justice and Foreign Affairs ministries) to the Organization in preparation and in following up on such engagements.
• To prepare concise, accurate, and comprehensive briefing materials that provide the proper context for both internal projects and external developments to senior management.
• At the request of the Secretary General, Cabinet and Executive Directors, to accompany the Secretary General and other senior management on official engagements with external stakeholders.
• In the context of joint missions, to assist the Secretary General and Executive Director by providing real-time advice on policy and strategic matters to be discussed bilaterally or in plenary sessions, and guide such high-level interactions as appropriate.
• To independently and proactively keep abreast of both internal and external policies, projects, initiatives, and developments in order to be able to provide comprehensive and value-added support to senior management.
• To provide regular advice to Cabinet and the Secretary General on priority objectives and targets for the Secretary General and other senior management’s international/bilateral outreach activity, in order to inform their respective schedule and planning.

DUTY 3/Mission 3

To assess organizational issues related to the structure, scope, and nature of the Organization and/or INTERPOL engagement in criminal domain in support of decision- making and priority-setting by the General Secretariat, by framing challenges and opportunities and proposing policy options and recommendations for decision by the Secretary General and senior management.

As part of Duty N°. 3:

• To monitor on a continuous basis both internal and external developments related to the mandate of the Organization and its activities, and to autonomously identify/flag issues demanding urgent attention by senior management.
• To conduct relevant reviews and ad-hoc studies on such items in close collaboration with related units and hierarchy, with a view to deliver finished analytical written products (containing inferences and often recommendations) in printed, digital or oral form, ranging from regular oral briefings to highly complex written products, often resulting in new insights that have a major effect on the understanding of the issue at hand, and/or relevant INTERPOL policy/positioning.
• Upon request, to present such findings to the Secretary General, Cabinet and other senior management fora, outlining options and assisting them towards final policy decisions.
• To establish effective and regular cross-directorate coordination with relevant units/teams, in order to track progress in the implementation of such decisions, as required by senior management.
• To develop and maintain contact networks, both within the INTERPOL structure and with external organizations in their capacities as partners or sources of information.
• To continuously review, evaluate, research and analyze a wide variety of specialist periodicals, journals, academic research papers, organizational planning reports, policy documents, as well as sources on the Internet and provided by commercial databases, according to project needs or assigned areas of subject specialization, in order to keep abreast of developments in the fields studied.
• To provide ad hoc advice to the Secretary General and senior management on policy and strategic matters, including in raising/flagging potential conflicts between policy options and the Organization’ strategic/governance framework.
• In the absence of the Head of PAO, to represent PAO at Strategic Management Board (SMB) chaired by the Secretary General.

DUTY 4/Mission 4

In coordination with relevant Executive Directorates, to represent the Organization in bilateral and multilateral settings at working level, in order to identify and seize opportunities to promote INTERPOL interests and capabilities; seek international support to the Organization’s activities.

As part of Duty N°. 4:

• To proactively research and identify outreach opportunities targeting key member countries’ policy and strategy structures and international fora, to be submitted for consideration to hierarchy.
• To attend INTERPOL working group meetings, external conferences and workshops, representing the Organization and, where appropriate, delivering reports and (computer-aided) lectures on complex subjects, disseminating relevant material as agreed with/requested by hierarchy.
• As agreed with/requested by hierarchy, to engage in bilateral visits and discussions with identified policy targets, in the context of outreach to specific entities/regions and in preparation for high-level visits/missions by the Secretary General.

DUTY 5/Mission 5

To contribute to the corporate planning cycle and appropriate processes comprising strategy formulation and execution, preparation of governance bodies and strategic management meetings (EC, GA, SMB) and follow up of relevant decisions.

As part of Duty N°. 5:

• In close coordination with Executive Directors and Cabinet, to participate in the agenda-setting, proceedings and follow up implementation of EC and GA sessions.
• To draft and review statutory documents to be submitted to the EC and GA sessions for decision, discussion or information.
• To liaise as appropriate and provide support to the Chair(s) of EC sub-committees in their reporting function to the EC.

DUTY 6/Mission 6

To perform other tasks, such as assisting with administration, deemed appropriate by the hierarchy.

As part of Duty N°. 6:

• In the absence of the Head of PAO, the Strategy and Policy Advisor may be asked to represent the unit and cover various tasks related to the coordination of the functioning of the Directorate.
• To perform, with minimum of supervision, all other duties as may be directed by the hierarchy and maintaining close professional relationships with other senior management.

QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATION REQUIRED

• Three to four years of university degree in a relevant domain required, (e.g. political science, international relations, public administration or related field).
• Post-graduate degree a strong asset.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Minimum five years of relevant and proven experience in the domain: work in a law enforcement or international organization, with experience as a policy analyst/policy officer or researcher/analyst dealing with international security/crime-related issues, strategic analysis, intelligence analysis, policy and top executive support.
• Exposure to high-level (ministerial and above) interactions and events, and experience in Cabinet/top management support is required.
• Experience in working or studying in an international environment is desirable.
• Experience in managing/facilitating small teams/projects an asset.
• Communications background is considered an advantage.
• Prior exposure to INTERPOL governance cycle/bodies (GA, EC, Advisory Group on Financial Matters, and Committee on Governance) an advantage.

LANGUAGES

• Fluency in English is essential.
• Proficiency in at least another official working language (Arabic, French, Spanish), would be considered as a highly valuable asset.

ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Excellent communication skills, both in written and oral form
• Strong geopolitical and international security issues awareness.
• Strong quantitative and data analysis skills
• Ability to maintain objectivity and apply logical, specifically inductive, reasoning
• Ability to perform at the highest level in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams with minimal direct supervision
• High level of discipline and high degree of self-motivation
• Excellent social and multicultural skills
• Highly developed initiative, creativity (original thinking) and curiosity
• Ability to develop and maintain professional networks with internal and external stakeholders.
• Listening skills
• Willingness to learn
• Personal and professional maturity
• Strong computer skills required. Proficiency in standard office word-processing, spread sheet, database and presentation software required. Experience in using link- and flowcharting tools and/or statistical/GIS/analysis software would be an asset. Ability to exploit the Internet and other electronic sources for the collection of open-source information.
• Ability to exploit the Internet and other electronic sources for the collection of open-source information.
• Ability to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning to enhance analytical capabilities and inform decision-making; utilize Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools to analyze and improve communication and apply machine learning algorithms to identify patterns and predict outcomes.