SECONDMENT - Head of Laboratory - AI Innovation

VACANCY NOTICE 1574 

This vacancy announcement pertains to law enforcement and/or governmental officials within INTERPOL's member countries only.

Please read the Conditions of Secondment in force at INTERPOL (shared via the NCB) including the maximum duration of secondment.

Please be aware that your home Administration/Agency/Service/Government will be responsible for all of your salary/remuneration, social insurance, pension contributions, welfare benefits, family allowances, benefits during your assignment at INTERPOL as well as travel, removal expenses related to your arrival at and departure from INTERPOL, and any other related costs depending on your circumstances. It is requested that you obtain in writing, confirmation from your home Administration/Agency/Service/Government that it agrees with these CONDITIONS OF SECONDMENT. This confirmation letter should be forwarded to us THROUGH THE NCB.

INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 196 member states. 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 is now looking for a qualified candidate as a SECONDMENT - Head of Laboratory - AI Innovation within the Innovation Centre which is part of the​​​​​​ Exec. Dir. Technology and Innovation.

Job title: SECONDMENT - Head of Laboratory - AI Innovation
Reporting To:  Assistant Director
Location: Singapore 
Duration (in months): 36.00 
Grade: 3 
Number of post: 1
Security Clearance Level: Basic
Deadline for application: 10 April 2026, 23h59 SGT

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.

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

The Innovation Centre (IC) aspires to become an entity that all law enforcement agencies around the world will seek to actively engage to complement their respective strategic futures planning and technical innovation. It consists of Strategic and Applied Innovation sub Directorates. In this context the post holder is responsible for managing the INTERPOL Responsible AI Lab (I-RAIL); working closely with the Futures and Foresight Lab, the Applied Innovation Sub Directorate, other INTERPOL units and external partners in a flexible project team approach researching, developing and implementing dynamic and innovative solutions to policing issues. The outputs of these project teams are:

• Foresight - Acquiring the capacity of strategic foresight to anticipate how future policing scenarios across various crime types may play out; the ability to apply forward-thinking to adapt and advocate fresh policing strategies, including shaping the way law enforcement agencies will operate and be organized in the future.

• Policy – Developing, considering and advocating interventions at the policy level to enhance law enforcement processes and value chains; facilitating the development of internationally endorsed policing standards and norms.

• New Technologies - Facilitating a coordinated approach for INTERPOL, member countries and non-governmental partners to be collectively plugged in to the world of new technologies, understand the threats they pose but also the opportunities they generate to enhance policing efforts as well as how they can be responsibly implemented to support policing.

• Concrete Deliverables – Applying innovation at the tactical level to deliver technical solutions to member countries based on their needs.

The INTERPOL Responsible AI Lab is a focal point for INTERPOL member countries for all matters related to the responsible use of AI by law enforcement. It facilitates general AI awareness, knowledge, and expert exchange with a focus on responsible AI use through regular exchanges, provide a digital resource bank for easy access to relevant resources, and provide practical support to law enforcement in member countries with regard to the responsible use of AI.

The objective is to instill an INTERPOL culture of responsible AI innovation within the Organization and to support its member countries in their deployment and implementation of AI in a responsible manner.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ACTIVITIES

DUTY 1: TEAM LEADING AND ADMINISTRATION

• In compliance with the Organization’s priorities, management decisions and relevant policies/rules, implement and coordinate all daily and ad hoc tasks of the INTERPOL Responsible AI Lab.
• Lead and supervise the staff members assigned to the INTERPOL Responsible AI Lab.
• Manage the budget of the INTERPOL Responsible AI Lab and any project funds.
• Provide pro-active guidance and sound analytical studies for his/her hierarchy’s decision.
• When required, as one of the senior staff members of the Strategic Innovation Sub Directorate, replace the Assistant Director Strategic Innovation to ensure the smooth daily running of the Sub Directorate in the absence of the latter.

DUTY 2: RESPONSIBLE AI
• Lead research into responsible AI relevant knowledge, methodologies and possibilities; the insights of which will enable INTERPOL and its member countries to understand and mitigate challenges in the responsible deployment of AI in the evolving operating environment.
• Lead the development of an overview of innovative AI solutions, use cases, and/or policy and legislative adjustments which some INTERPOL member countries may have already adopted to better enhance their work.
• Lead actions to promote the culture and best practices of responsible AI innovation in the global law enforcement community through, amongst others, awareness raising and knowledge exchange, tailored practical support to member countries including training (together with the INTERPOL Capacity Building and Training Directorate).
• As the central point of contact, develop and maintain partnerships with relevant stakeholders from industry, academia, civil society, and other regional/international organizations in relation to responsible AI innovation. Assess and where applicable, initiate informed conversations amongst the community with regard to the need to monitor developments in this area, acquire a keen knowledge of the various facets involved and facilitate close collaboration with them.

DUTY 3: FLEXIBLE PROJECT TEAM APPROACH
• Develop and maintain an understanding of the broader strategic innovation sphere.
• Lead a flexible project team approach researching, developing and implementing dynamic and innovative solutions to policing issues across all IC programs (Futures and Foresight, Responsible AI, Cyberspace and New Technologies and Digital Forensics).
As well as the management functions outlined above, the post holder is expected to assist his/her hierarchy (Executive Director, Director or Assistant Director) in the planning, coordination and prioritisation of the overall Innovation Centre’s activities. He/she accompanies or represents their hierarchy on missions, at meetings and within working groups.

QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATION REQUIRED:

Education
• At least five years’ University education, preferably in an AI relevant area. At least ten years’ working experience in the field of policing and innovation will be accepted in lieu of a formal university qualification. A combination of formal qualification and experience will also be considered.
• Tertiary education or certified professional qualifications in the area of Artificial Intelligence, Computer or Data Science or Programming (Python or R language), is preferred.

Languages
• Fluency in English. Proficiency in a second official working language of the Organization (Arabic, French or Spanish) would be an additional asset.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
• Minimum of at least eight years’ experience in a law enforcement organization.
• Good understanding of AI technology and its current challenges and applications in law enforcement.
• Working knowledge of legal issues relating to (transnational) crime investigations and the use of AI in law enforcement.
• Experience in leadership and management.
• Experience in the area of cybercrime or counterterrorism or organized crime or financial crime in a law enforcement environment.
• Strong background in Internet research.
• Experience in working or studying in an international environment would be desirable.
• Experience in coordinating cooperation efforts around the implementation of new policing standards and guidelines for emerging technologies would be preferred.
• A good working knowledge of INTERPOL would be considered an additional asset.

SKILLS REQUIRED
• Demonstrated management skills, including:
o Leadership
o Managing performance
o Actively supporting career development
o Decision making
• Strong communication skills, both in written and oral form (public speaking and delivery of presentations).
• Ability to use innovative thinking to develop unique solutions.
• Personal and professional maturity.
• Ability to work in teams as well as individually.
• Ability to adapt to a multicultural and diverse environment.
• Ability to work persistently and under pressure.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional networks.
• Ability to synthesize.
• Attention to detail.
• Good listening skills.