Publication of a vacancy for the function of Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) (Temporary Agent – Grade AD 14) (COM/2025/20114)
Date: 2025-09-26
Institutions: European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training
Subjects: administrator, competition (EU), job vacancy, managing director, recruitment, servant (EU)








C_202504939EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series













C/2025/4939


26.9.2025






Publication of a vacancy for the function of Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL)
(Temporary Agent – Grade AD 14)
(COM/2025/20114)
(C/2025/4939)


          
      

We are

CEPOL was established as the European Police College by Council Decision 2000/820/JHA (1), became operational on 1 January 2001 and became an Agency in 2005. As of 1 July 2016 (entry into application of the CEPOL Regulation (2)) CEPOL became the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training. Since 1 October 2014, CEPOL’s headquarters are located in Budapest, Hungary. The Agency currently employs 57 staff and has a budget of approximately EUR 12,8 million. In addition, project-based international cooperation activities at present account for an additional EUR 6,5 million and 39 staff members.
CEPOL’s mission is to support EU internal security by providing high-quality training and learning opportunities to law enforcement officials across the EU and through capacity-building projects to enhance cross-border law enforcement cooperation and foster a common European law enforcement culture. Activities range from key cross-border cooperation tools and mechanisms to law enforcement techniques and from serious criminal phenomena to leadership development, in line with EU policies in the internal security area. Besides fostering cross-border cooperation, activities are designed to impart knowledge but also to facilitate the sharing of expertise and best practices.
The Agency’s main tasks are:






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To support, develop, implement and coordinate training activities and learning products for law enforcement officials across the Union;










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To assist third countries in building their capacity in relevant law enforcement policy areas, in line with the established priorities of the Union; and










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To promote the mutual recognition of law enforcement training in Member States, and the recognition by Member States of training provided at Union level, with due regard to the principle of subsidiarity.




The Agency’s tasks are specified in Article 4 of the CEPOL Regulation (EU) 2015/2219.
In light of the increasingly complex and dynamic security landscape — characterised by digitalisation of crime, organised criminal networks operating across borders, hybrid threats and the evolving modus operandi of criminal actors as highlighted in the 2025 ProtectEU Strategy — CEPOL’s role is more critical than ever. In the immediate future, the Agency is expected to focus on three key strategic priorities:






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Delivering high-quality, forward-looking training that equips law enforcement professionals with the skills needed to address emerging and complex criminal phenomena, in line with EU security strategies.










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Maximising operational efficiency and resource impact, by improving internal workflows and leveraging training investments — such as through cascading mechanisms — while ensuring close coordination between CEPOL’s internal structures and external partners to support Member States effectively.










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Building trust and demonstrating institutional resilience through strengthened cybersecurity, transparent communication with stakeholders, and delivery of visible results that underscore CEPOL’s EU added value and reliability as a partner.




Website for further information: www.cepol.europa.eu


We propose

The function of the Executive Director of CEPOL.
The Executive Director will lead and manage the Agency and take overall responsibility for its operations ensuring the achievement of its objectives. The Executive Director will shape, promote and implement a modern, transparent and identifiable vision for the Agency, with a strong focus on its EU added value, fully in line with its founding Regulation, the EU values and the European Union’s internal security acquis.
The Executive Director will adhere to the strictest integrity and ethical principles.
The Executive Director will reflect strategic policy developments of the EU in the Agency’s activities, in close collaboration with the Commission and the Management Board and will need to set clear priorities to ensure that CEPOL delivers tangible impact. The Executive Director will prepare, propose and implement the Agency’s work programme and multi-annual programmes as well as the decisions of the Management Board.
The Executive Director will report on the implementation of the Agency’s activities and ensure that CEPOL’s training and learning products correspond to evolving law enforcement needs, including in an ad hoc and flexible manner. In this context, close cooperation with Europol and other Justice and Home Affairs agencies is needed.
The Executive Director will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of CEPOL, establishing and managing the administrative, operational and financial measures necessary for the efficient functioning of the Agency.
The Executive Director will oversee the Agency’s corporate governance and culture, both in terms of internal management and vis-à-vis external counterparts. The Executive Director will need to motivate and lead staff to excel and deliver within its legal framework and the resources available.
The Executive Director shall act as CEPOL’s legal representative and public face, engaging with stakeholders and the public as necessary on all matters within the mandate of the Agency. The Executive Director is accountable to the Management Board and is responsible for the implementation of its decisions. The Executive Director shall report to the European Parliament on the performance of their duties when invited to do so. The Council may also invite the Executive Director to report on the performance of their duties.
Without prejudice to the powers of the Commission and of the Management Board, the Executive Director shall assume full responsibility for the implementation of the tasks assigned to CEPOL and shall be subject to the procedure for annual discharge and closure of accounts by the European Parliament for the implementation of the budget.
The Executive Director shall be responsible for specific tasks laid down in the CEPOL Regulation for which a more detailed description can be found in its Article 14. The Executive Director’s further specific tasks include:






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Ensuring high-quality, future-oriented law enforcement training for law enforcement authorities, including through the development of research relevant for training activities, in line with CEPOL’s mandate, while continuously adapting to evolving threats and the operational needs of Member States, and effectively positioning the Agency within the EU internal security landscape;










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Engaging in a constant dialogue with the European Commission, other EU institutions, and stakeholders, with a view to following and implementing all the EU policies in the relevant fields CEPOL is involved in;










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Embracing all challenges the Agency is facing, including, but not limited to, efficiently managing its resources, enhancing its overall effectiveness, capitalising on its training investments to maximise impact, and improving internal workflows. The latter includes, where necessary, making proposals for the modification of CEPOL’s internal structures. Strong coordination between the Agency’s internal and external dimensions is required, with priority given to strengthening the internal dimension;










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Demonstrating resilience and fostering trust by delivering visible results in the Agency’s core mandate, maintaining a high level of secure ICT management, ensuring the Agency’s Law Enforcement Education Platform is fully operational and trusted by Member States, and engaging in close, transparent communication with Member States.





We look for (selection criteria)

The ideal candidate should fulfil the following selection criteria:






 




Management skills








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Sound judgement and proven track record of successfully managing and dynamically leading a CEPOL-size or larger organisation at a strategic and operational level;










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Capacity to define, develop and implement a strategic vision, to set priorities and objectives and deliver measurable results. Proven ability to balance different institutional, operational and other stakeholder interests, while ensuring coherence with the Agency’s mandate and EU strategic priorities;










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Capacity to effectively lead, motivate and develop multidisciplinary teams in a multicultural and multilingual environment. Experience gained in a multicultural environment would be an asset;










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Solid and proven administrative and management skills including experience of budgetary, financial and human resources management at a level commensurate with CEPOL’s budget gained in national, European and/or international environments covering budgetary planning and internal control.














 




Specialist skills and experience








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Sound experience and in-depth knowledge on EU law enforcement policies and practices, in particular in the field of operational cross-border cooperation and information exchange;










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Experience in developing and implementing training and learning policies that address operational law enforcement needs. Strong knowledge of EU law enforcement training systems and programmes at EU, regional and national level. Ability to anticipate and incorporate the impact of new technologies, research-based training content and pedagogical tools into innovative, future-proof training solutions, with a focus on continuously enhancing law enforcement skills, particularly digital competencies;










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Good understanding of EU internal security policies and related strategic frameworks. Familiarity with CEPOL’s legal framework, mandate, procedures and operational activities would be an asset;










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Good understanding of the functioning of the EU institutions, including their procedures and the modes of interaction between national administrations and EU institutions. Deep understanding of law enforcement, broader international stakeholder management, and the ability to operate in a multinational, European and international environment would be an asset.














 




Personal qualities








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Excellent capacity to establish and maintain good working relations with EU institutions and external stakeholders, to represent the Agency in international fora and to communicate effectively and in a transparent and open manner with staff and stakeholders, combined with a high degree of reliability and consistency in positioning and decision-making;










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Excellent diplomatic, interpersonal, analytical, decision-making, organisational and negotiation skills.









Candidates must (eligibility requirements)

Candidates will only be considered for the selection phase on the basis of the following formal requirements to be fulfilled by the deadline for applications:






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Nationality: candidates must be a citizen of one of the Member States of the European Union.










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University degree or diploma: candidates must have:






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either a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is 4 years or more;










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or a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least 1 year when the normal period of university education is at least 3 years (this 1 year’s professional experience cannot be included in the postgraduate professional experience required below).














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Professional experience: candidates must have at least 15 years postgraduate professional experience (3) at a level to which the qualifications referred to above give admission. At least 5 years of that professional experience must be in the area of law enforcement or training/education within this field.










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Management experience: at least 5 years of the post-graduate professional experience must have been gained in a high–level management function (4) in a field relevant for this position.










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Languages: candidates must have a thorough knowledge of the working language of the Agency (English) and a satisfactory knowledge of another official language of the European Union (5).










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Age limit: candidates must be able to complete, at the deadline for application, the full mandate of 4 years before reaching the retirement age. For temporary staff of the European Union, the retirement age is defined as being the end of the month in which the person reaches the age of 66 years (see Article 47 of the Conditions of Employment of other Servants of the European Union (6)).





Selection and appointment

In line with the above mentioned Regulation (EU) 2015/2219, and the Decision of the Management Board 07/2017/MB on the rules on the selection of the appointment of the Executive Director of CEPOL, the Executive Director will be appointed by the CEPOL Management Board on the basis of a shortlist of at least 3 candidates provided by a Selection Committee set up by the Management Board and composed of members designated by Member States and the Commission.
The Selection Committee will invite eligible candidates with the best profile fulfilling the selection criteria mentioned in the vacancy notice for an interview. Before such interview, the candidates selected shall undergo testing by an assessment centre run by external recruitment consultants. On the basis of the results of the interviews, as well as the assessment by the external centre, the Selection Committee will draw up a list of at least three candidates it considers suitable to exercise the function of Executive Director at CEPOL.
Candidates on the shortlist will be called to an interview with the Management Board. Inclusion on this shortlist does not guarantee appointment. Candidates may be required to undergo further interviews and/or tests in addition to those indicated above.
The Management Board will take its decision to appoint the Executive Director, among the candidates shortlisted by the Selection Committee, taking into consideration the evaluations made by the Selection Committee, the assessment by the external centre and the outcome of the interviews with the Management Board.
The vote in the Management Board on the appointment of the Executive Director shall take place by secret ballot. The candidate that receives a two-thirds majority of the votes shall be elected. When none of the candidates receives a two-thirds majority in the first ballot, a second ballot shall be held at the end of which the candidate(s) with the lowest number of votes shall be excluded. When only two candidates are left, rounds of voting shall run until one candidate receives a two-thirds majority.
For functional reasons and in order to complete the selection procedure as quickly as possible in the interest of the candidates as well as that of the Agency, the selection procedure will be carried out in English only (7).

Equal Opportunities

CEPOL applies a policy of equal opportunities and non-discrimination in accordance with Article 1d of the Staff Regulations (8) encouraging applications that could contribute towards more diversity, gender equality and overall geographical balance.

Conditions of employment

The salaries and conditions of employment are laid down in the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union.
The successful candidate will be engaged by the Agency as a Temporary Agent at grade AD14 (9). They will be classified depending on the length of their previous professional experience in step 1 or step 2 within that grade.
They will be appointed for an initial mandate of 4 years, with a possible prolongation for a maximum 4 years according to Regulation establishing the Agency as applicable at the time of appointment.
Applicants should note the requirement under the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union for all new staff to complete successfully a 9-month probationary period.
The place of employment is Budapest, Hungary, where CEPOL is based. The post is available from 16 February 2026.

Important information for candidates

Candidates are reminded that the work of the Selection Committee is confidential. It is forbidden for candidates to make direct or indirect contact with the individual members of the Selection Committee or for anybody to do so on their behalf. Any query has to be addressed to the secretariat of the respective committee.

Protection of personal data

The Commission and CEPOL will ensure that candidates’ personal data are processed as required by Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council (10). This applies in particular to the confidentiality and security of such data.

Independence and declaration of interests

Before taking up their duties, the Executive Director will be required to make a declaration of commitment to act independently in the public interest and to declare any interests, which might be considered prejudicial to their independence.

Application procedure

Before submitting your application, you should carefully check whether you meet all eligibility requirements (‘Candidates must’), particularly concerning the types of diploma, high-level professional experience as well as linguistic capacity required. Failure to meet any of the eligibility requirements means an automatic exclusion from the selection procedure.
If you want to apply, you must register via the internet on the following website and follow the instructions concerning the various stages of the procedure:

https://ec.europa.eu/dgs/human-resources/seniormanagementvacancies/

You must have a valid email address. This will be used to confirm your registration as well as to remain in contact with you during the different stages of the procedure. Therefore, please keep the European Commission informed about any change in your email address.
To complete your application, you need to upload a CV in PDF format, preferably using the Europass CV format (11), and to fill out, online, a letter of motivation (maximum 8 000 characters). Your CV and your letter of motivation may be submitted in any of the official languages of the European Union.
It is in your interest to ensure that your application is accurate, thorough and truthful.
Once you have finished your online registration, you will receive an electronic mail confirming that your application has been registered. If you do not receive a confirmation mail, your application has not been registered!

Please note that it is not possible to monitor the progress of your application on-line. You will be contacted directly by the European Commission regarding the status of your application.

Applications sent by email will not be accepted. If you require more information and/or encounter technical problems, please send an email to:

HR-MANAGEMENT-ONLINE@ec.europa.eu

It is your responsibility to complete your online registration in time. We strongly advise you not to wait until the last few days before applying, since heavy internet traffic or a fault with your internet connection could lead to the online registration being terminated before you complete it, thereby obliging you to repeat the whole process. Once the deadline for the submission of registrations has passed, you will no longer be able to introduce any data. Late registrations will not be accepted.

Closing date

The closing date for registration is 
               24 October 2025, 12.00 noon Brussels time, following which registration is no longer possible.


(1)  
            OJ L 336, 30.12.2000, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2000/820/oj.

(2)  Regulation (EU) 2015/2219 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 on the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) and replacing and repealing Council Decision 2005/681/JHA (OJ L 319, 4.12.2015, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2015/2219/oj).

(3)  Professional experience is only taken into consideration if it represents an actual work relationship defined as real, genuine work, on a paid basis and as employee (any type of contract) or provider of a service. Professional activities pursued part-time shall be calculated pro rata, on the basis of the certified percentage of full-time hours worked. Maternity leave / parental leave / leave for adoption is taken into consideration if it is in the framework of a work contract. PhDs are assimilated to professional experience, even when unpaid, but for a duration of 3 years maximum, provided that the PhD has been successfully completed. A given period may be counted only once.

(4)  In their curriculum vitae, candidates should clearly indicate for all years during which management experience has been acquired: (1) title and role of management positions held; (2) numbers of staff overseen in these positions; (3) the size of budgets managed; (4) numbers of hierarchical layers above and below; and (5) number of peers.

(5)  
            https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A01958R0001-20130701


(6)  
            https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A01962R0031-20250513


(7)  The Selection Committee will ensure that no undue advantage is given to native speakers.

(8)  Regulation No 31 (EEC), 11 (EAEC), laying down the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ P 45 14.6.1962, p. 1385/62), as amended by Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 723/2004 of 22 March 2004 amending the Staff Regulations of officials of the European Communities and the Conditions of Employment of other servants of the European Communities (OJ L 124, 27.4.2004, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2004/723/oj).

(9)  The correction coefficient applicable to the remuneration and pensions of officials and other servants of the European Union for Hungary is set at 75,5 % as from 1 July 2024. This coefficient is subject to an annual revision.

(10)  Regulation (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 (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/1725/oj).

(11)  You can find information on how to create your Europass CV online at: https://europa.eu/europass/en/create-europass-cv



ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2025/4939/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)