Head of Unit ‘Risks to public safety and security unit (policy, crime and markets)’ (AD.2024.10)

Position 

The successful candidate will lead the key EUDA scientific unit responsible for the areas of drug policy, drug-related crime, drug markets and will report to the Executive Director.

The jobholder will work closely with scientific staff and coordinate areas of work currently structured in two sectors.

• Markets, crime, supply reduction and precursors

The Markets, crime, supply reduction and precursors sector monitors and analyses illicit production, trafficking, distribution and sale of controlled substances, and their wide-ranging impacts on safety and security, including drug-related crime and violence. The sector is responsible for the development and implementation of market and supply reduction monitoring indicators, including darknet markets, and the corresponding responses in these areas. The sector contributes to the security area of EUDA work including threat assessments at European and international levels. The sector monitors and supports the delivery of effective drug supply reduction activities at EU level, notably by participating in key EU platforms such as COSI and EMPACT and by maintaining a wide network of contacts in the EU and international law enforcement sphere, in particular with Europol and CEPOL. It also manages the EUDA reference group on drug supply. The sector plays a key role in supporting the European Commission and the Member States in key market and supply reduction policy areas. Furthermore, the sector monitors the production and diversion of chemical (pre-)precursors used in drug production and carries out technical assessments needed to support possible EU-level control measures while closely cooperating in this area with the European Commission and international organisations including the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).

• Policy and society

The Policy and society sector provides support to EU, national and local decision-makers with the independent evaluation of drug policies and the implementation of evidence-based drug policies and strategies. This includes the monitoring of national drug strategies, economic policies and laws, as well as the development of tailored methodological tools and training. The sector also supports the development of evidence-informed social, economic and criminal justice policies, including health and social interventions in prison and alternatives to coercive sanctions. Maintaining a focus on emerging policy trends, additional thematic areas covered by the sector include cannabis policies, gender and drugs, co-morbidity and therapeutic use of illicit substances.

The head of unit will ensure that both sectors work together, and with other scientific units, fostering a strong sense of teamwork and shared responsibility, and contributing to the mission of the EUDA through leading or contributing to the activities of cross-unit and multi-disciplinary transversal project teams in the Agency.

Eligibility requirements

• Be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union, Norway or Türkiye.
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the laws concerning military service, if applicable.
• Produce the appropriate character references as to the suitability for the performance of the required duties.
• Be physically fit to perform the duties of the post.
• A level of education that corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is 4 years or more, OR a level of education that 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 3 years.
• Have at least 12 years of relevant professional experience starting with the first position occupied after the completion of the diploma or certificate required for admission to this selection procedure, as mentioned above.
• Possess a thorough knowledge (mother tongue or minimum level C1) of one of the official languages of the European Union, and a proven satisfactory knowledge (minimum level B2) of another of these languages to the extent necessary for the performance of the required duties.

Essential requirements 

• A university degree in a relevant scientific area such as chemistry, forensic science, sociology, criminology, social sciences or similar;
• At least 12 years’ proven experience working in drugs related disciplines relevant to the profile of the position;
• At least 6 years’ proven experience as a manager responsible for leading and managing human resources;
• At least 6 years’ experience of efficient budgetary and financial management, acquired in a national, European or international context;
• Proven ability to produce high-quality documents for both technical and non-technical audiences. As evidence, please submit a maximum of three samples to the following e-mail address: AD.2024.10@euda.europa.eu.