Senior Specialist - Media Relations & News Coverage – Head of Team, Corporate Communications Unit(AD7)

Das ist der Job

Requirements - Eligibility criteriaa.

Darum lohnt es sich

Organisational contextOrganisational setting:The post of Senior Specialist - Media Relations & News Coverage – Head of Team is located in the Corporate Communications Unit in the Corporate Affairs Bureau Department.The CAB Department is responsible for:Providing the full range of services expected of a cabinet, including administrative, logistic and policy support to the Executive Director;Supporting the senior management team and coordinating key corporate interests, including inter-departmental cooperation, stakeholder management and financial administration;Coordinating, as Europol’s central point of contact, the preparation, execution and Europol's response to audit activities and findings, performing internal control related functions, as well as maintaining Europol's corporate risks and coordinating the related risk mitigation across the organisation;Dealing with and coordinating all internal and external communication, media, and public relations activities, as well as managing open sources in relation to key corporate interests.The Corporate Communications Unit at Europol is responsible for the development and implementation of the agency’s internal and external communication strategies.

Operating as a dynamic and multidisciplinary team, the Unit contributes to enhancing Europol’s visibility and reputation, supporting the agency’s operational effectiveness and strategic goals.The Media Relations & News Coverage Team (CAB-21) manages Europol's interactions with the media, including drafting press releases, organising press events, and responding to media inquiries.

The team monitors and analyses news coverage to identify reputational risks and keep senior management informed on Europol related narratives.Purpose of the post:The Senior Specialist – Head of Team will shape and safeguard Europol’s public voice.

The postholder will lead the Agency’s engagement with international media, oversee real-time news monitoring and analysis and ensure accurate, timely and impactful communication of Europol’s operational achievements and strategic priorities.The role contributes directly to strengthening trust in EU law enforcement cooperation, enhancing transparency and protecting the Agency’s reputation in a fast-moving and high-risk information environment.Reporting lines:The incumbent reports to the Head of the Corporate Communications Unit.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:General Head of Team responsibilities: Coordinate the work of a group of individuals by effective and efficient planning, prioritisation, and scheduling of tasks and responsibilities;Monitor progress of work in line with key performance indicators; ensure work being produced is of high quality and meets business needs; apply corrective measures where needed;Define and supervise the accurate and timely execution of processes and procedures to ensure adherence to corporate policies, fundamental rights, standards and data protection regulations;Set clear expectations and objectives and direct work towards a common goal;Identify, address and propose resolutions to issues affecting the team;Provide constructive feedback, guidance and support and coach team members;Encourage continuous learning and development of team members;Create an open, honest and inclusive team culture with respect for diversity, where team members are encouraged to perform at their best.

Specific responsibilities: Develop and implement Europol’s media relations and news coverage strategy in line with the Agency’s mandate, strategy and priorities;Provide communication advice to the Head of Unit and if requested to the Executive Director and senior management, particularly on media relations and related matters;Act as one of Europol’s spokespersons and represent the Agency in interactions with national and international media;Lead the preparation and prioritisation of press releases, media briefings, interviews, speeches, Q&A material and other external communication products;Monitor and analyse the international media coverage, providing the Head of Unit and senior management with insights and early warning of reputational risks and on Europol related narratives;Coordinate communication related to major operational actions, ensuring accuracy, consistency and compliance with security and data protection requirements to enable smooth execution and maintain organizational trust and accountability;Support the Head of Unit in crisis communications responses during critical incidents, including rapid messaging, risk assessment and coordination with operational units and external partners;Represent Europol in interinstitutional communication networks and maintain professional relationships with EU institutions, national law enforcement agencies, EU Member States and international stakeholders;Perform any other duties in the area of competence as assigned by the line management.3.

Professional experience Essential: Experience in media relations, public affairs, strategic communications or journalism;Experience acting as spokesperson and working in the media relations preferably in a public institution, international organisation, ministry or law enforcement body;Experience coordinating or managing a team;Experience managing communication in highly sensitive or crisis situations;Experience designing and implementing communication strategies at organisational level.Desirable:Experience in justice and home affairs environment;Experience selecting, implementing and managing new technologies, including AI, to improve corporate communication.b.

Professional knowledge Essential: Sound knowledge of the European media landscape, global news dynamics and media trends;Ability to handle communication in sensitive or crisis situations;Ability to engage effectively with a diverse set of stakeholders including international and government institutions and the general public;Basic knowledge of data protection, confidentiality requirements and fundamental rights considerations in communications;Knowledge of digital media analytics and monitoring tools.c.

General competencies Essential:Communicating:Excellent communication skills in English, both orally and in writing;Excellent presentation skills;Ability to draft clear and concise documents on complex matters for various audiences.Analysing & problem solving:Structured approach to work aimed at getting results;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:Excellent organizational skills including the ability to plan own work load, establish clear priorities and exercise initiative;Ability to manage projects and familiarity with project management terminology and methodology.Resilience:Strong ability to work well both independently and in a team;Very good interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively liaise with other departments, groups and teams as well as with external partners;Ability to remain effective under a heavy workload and demonstrate resistance to stress.Living diversity:Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workersin an international and multi-disciplinary work environment.Advising:Ability to synthesise various data into a coherent and relevant whole,transforming it into a valuable and correct conclusion;Building constructive relationships with clients, adequately identifying andmanaging their needs and expectations, and giving well-grounded advice.Team supervision:Ability to manage a diverse team including the ability to motivate staff, effectively plan and monitor the work of other staff members and to provide guidance. d.

All enquiries related to a selection procedure should be addressed to the Europol HR Operational Support Team at the following email address: C2-12@europol.europa.eu. Compensation and benefitsScale: AD7The gross basic monthly salary is EUR 7.876,27 (step 1) or EUR 8.207,25 (step 2).

Statutory obligations upon leaving the servicePursuant 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.

This selection procedure is intended to fill 1 currently available post.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.

The Unit plays a key role in promoting Europol’s mission, operations, and achievements to a wide range of stakeholders, including EU institutions, Member States, law enforcement partners, the media, and the general public.

It provides strategic communication advice to senior management and ensures consistent, impactful messaging through a variety of channels such as digital platforms, publications, media relations, events, and audio-visual content.

Candidates mustBe a national of one of the Member States of the European Union and enjoy full rights as a citizen;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 haveA level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four years or more;ORA level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least one year when the normal period of university education is at least three years;In addition to the above at least 6 years of total professional work experience gained after the award of the diploma.4.

Requirements - Selection criteriaa. 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 procedureAll 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.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).

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 12 highest scoring candidates.

All candidates having a score equal to the 12th highest scoring candidate will be invited to take part in the first stage of the selection procedure (written test). At shortlisting stage, the Selection Committee will also establish the pass-mark for the selection procedure.

The Selection Committee will assess the written test against the selection criteria. Those candidates who do not reach the pass-mark for the test will be informed that they do not qualify to participate in the interview.

All candidates who reach the pass-mark for the test will be invited to the second stage of the selection procedure (interview).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, either in part or in full, 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.

The Selection Committee makes a proposal to the AACC on the candidate(s) to appoint. Following that proposal, the AACC makes a decision of appointment.Candidates who participated in the interview will be informed of the outcome, i.e. whether they have been successful or not.

In view of the list of successful candidates established by the Selection Committee, the AACC retains the discretion to constitute a Reserve List. A Reserve List is valid for 24 months.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.

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.6.

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 AD7/1:a) Staff member (single) in receipt of expatriation allowance (16%): EUR 8.091.70b) Staff member with two dependent children in their custody in receipt of expatriation allowance (16%): EUR 10,380.87;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 conditionsContract of employmentThe successful candidate will be engaged in the type of post Administrator and function group AD, grade 7 pursuant to Article 2(f) CEOS and Annex I to the EUSR.The initial contract will be concluded for a period of 4 years (full-time – 40 hours a week).

The contract may be renewed, in principle, for a period of 2 years. Any further renewal shall be for an indefinite duration.If the successful candidate is already a member of temporary staff 2(f) in the relevant function group, he/she may be offered the opportunity of contract continuity, should the relevant conditions be fulfilled.

Conditions of engagementBefore 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 Europol's website;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.

In exceptional cases, where justified in the interest of the service, the AACC may recruit a candidate who is a successful candidate in a selection procedure for temporary staff 2(f) CEOS as contract staff 3(a) CEOS, if the selection procedure is considered to be appropriate to the duties to be performed.For further information on terms and conditions, please consult the EUSR/CEOS available on Europol’s website.

Probation periodEngagement for this post is subject to the successful completion of a probationary period of 9 months.

If the successful candidate chooses contract continuity, and has already successfuly completed the probationary period provided for in Article 14 of the CEOS, in the relevant function group, he/she will not serve the probationary period.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 conductCandidates 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 informationEqual opportunityEuropol 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 NoticeRegulation (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.

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 datesPublication date: 09 April 2026;Deadline for application: 07 May 2026 until 23:59 Amsterdam Time Zone;Selection procedure: June 2026;Application process and selection procedureFor 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 detailsFor further details on the application process please call +31 (0) 70 353 1981 or +31 (0)70 353 1146.