Senior Specialist – Physical Security – Head of Team, Physical Security Team, Security Operations Unit

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

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.

Organisational setting:
The post of Senior Specialist – Physical Security – Head of Team is located in the Physical Security Team, Security Operations Unit, Corporate Security Department, Governance Directorate.

The Governance Directorate is responsible for supporting and assisting Europol Management and the rest of the organisation by providing advice and maintaining strategic links with relevant EU bodies and law enforcement agencies of the Member States.

Maintaining close cooperation with other directorates, particularly on key corporate matters and monitor business planning and performance management, are also among the Directorate’s task. Additionally, the Governance Directorate is responsible to ensure Europol’s physical and information security and business continuity.
Governance Directorate comprises of two Departments, Institutional and Legal Affairs and Corporate Security.

The Corporate Security Department establishes all security measures required to protect the persons present at Europol, the Europol buildings, together with its installations and all Europol information, and to ensure the safe and continual operational functioning of Europol. Furthermore, the Department handles the integral management (planning and monitoring) and realization of housing services and resources. 

The Security Operations Unit, which includes all activities in the domain of security operations & technology, aims at providing direct (physical) security services in relation to the Europol HQ and persons present, as well as operational facilities and infrastructure services.

Purpose of the post:
The incumbent is responsible for supervising and coordinating the Physical Security Team, including the areas of premises security, safety & Emergency Response Team, executive & field security and executive drivers & fleet management.

The Senior Specialist – Physical Security – Head of Team oversees all aspects of physical security within Europol and leads a team responsible for safeguarding assets, facilities, and personnel. The incumbent supports the Head of Unit Security Operations in both operational and strategic management of the Unit.

Reporting lines:
The incumbent reports to the Head of the Security Operations Unit.

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, prioritization, 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:
- Contribute to the development of business plans and implementation of all physical security and safety measures at Europol;
- Organise, prepare and deliver training sessions, briefings and debriefings for security guards, external visitors and Europol staff as applicable;
- Establish and implement security and safety protocols and procedures at organisational level to ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards related to physical security, through regular monitoring, reporting and assessment;
- Oversee security and safety protocols for designated events at Europol; 
- Ensure the installation and maintenance of physical security systems such as access control systems, surveillance cameras, alarms, and perimeter security measures;
- Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with other Teams/Units across the organisation and with competent authorities of the host state to coordinate security measures and to jointly address security concerns; 
- Coordinate security measures for the Executive Director and other senior staff regarding business trips;
- Investigate security incidents, documenting findings, and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence;
- Participate in the ongoing improvement of Europol's car fleet management and the coordination of transportation needs for the organization;
- Represent Europol at meetings and conferences related to security matters;
- Perform any other duties in the area of competence as assigned by line management.

REQUIREMENTS - ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
a. Candidates must
• Be 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 have
• A 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;
OR  
• A 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;
OR
• Professional training of an equivalent level in a relevant area and after having completed the training, at least the number of years of relevant professional experience as indicated below:

Duration of professional training Additional professional experience required for equivalency
More than 6 months and up to 1 year 4 years
More than 1 year and up to 2 years 3 years
More than 2 years and up to 3 years 2 years
More than 3 years 1 year 

• In addition to the above at least 6 years of total professional work experience gained after the award of the diploma.

SELECTION CRITERIA
a. Professional experience 
Essential: 
• Experience with security management, physical security measures and close protection matters, preferably of at least 5 years; 
• Experience in leading a team;
• Experience establishing and implementing security and safety protocols and procedures at organisational level;
• Experience preparing and delivering security training programs; 
• Experience in dealing with sensitive, classified information and intelligence.

b. Professional knowledge 
Essential:  
• Sound knowledge of security operations principles, practices, and methodologies;
• Knowledge of physical security and safety measures, including risk assessment and mitigation strategies;
• Knowledge of physical security systems and technologies;
• Knowledge of laws and security and safety regulations applicable in the host state.

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-workers in 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 and managing 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. 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.