International LTE on Internal and External Cooperation Application for the “European Union Police Assistance for Bosnia and Herzegovina”

The consortium implementing the EUPA4BiH project is seeking a qualified candidate to lead the coordination and implementation of Cluster 4 and Cluster 5. In this project, clusters refer to the grouping of related project components that are managed together due to their interconnected objectives and activities. Specifically, Cluster 4 and 5 encompass Components 4, 5, 6, and 7, which are detailed further below.

This vacancy notice provides an overview of the project and its consortium, a breakdown of the relevant components, and outlines the qualifications, skills, and professional experience required for this position. Information on the application process is available at the end of the document.

Consortium

The consortium, under the leadership of the Center for International Legal Cooperation (The Netherlands), further consisting of the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation (Germany), CIVIPOL (France), FIIAPP (Spain) and CPMA (Lithuania), has started the implementation of the EU Grant Contract “EUPA4BiH – European Union Police Assistance for Bosnia and Herzegovina” on 2 September 2024.

The project

The global objective of this project is to improve the security of citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

• To enhance the effectiveness of institutions involved in the fight against transnational organised crime, corruption, drugs, money laundering, cybercrime, trafficking of human beings, terrorism, radicalisation, violent extremism, corruption and ensure better institutional interoperability,
• To further improve the collection and data exchange, and data protection according to the EU applicable standards and best practices,
• To improve governance standards to embed stability and progress towards EU membership, better identify and responds to threats and strengthen capacities to prevent and fight crimes.

The project started on 2 September 2024, and the contract’s implementation period is 52 months from this date. The expert team will be gradually built up.

The project consists of 10 components, each has various outputs:

• Component 1: Fight against transnational organised/serious crime, Trafficking of Human Beings (THB), drugs, corruption and cybercrime
• Component 2: Prevention and Countering terrorism and violent extremism
• Component 3: Prevention and Countering Financial crime, Money Laundering
• Component 4: Support the enhancement of effective cooperation among law enforcement bodies and with prosecutors and judges
• Component 5: Enhancing external cooperation and coordination, information exchange, as well as international cooperation and coordination with EUROPOL and Interpol
• Component 6: Support for drafting legislation in line with EU acquis, European standards and best practices
• Component 7: Support to the criminal justice authorities in demonstrating progress towards establishing a track record of proactive investigations, confirmed indictments, prosecutions and final convictions against organised crime and corruption, including at high-level
• Component 8: Enhance border security and fight cross-border organised crime
• Component 9: Complementary assistance to procure required equipment to support better use of Special Investigative measures (SIMs), effective investigations, forensic capacities and specialised IT equipment to enhance the LEAs’ capacity and further strengthen data security and exchange.
• Component 10: Communication and outreach to BiH citizens / EU Visibility

The consortium is looking for a candidate to coordinate and implement cluster 4 and 5, which covers components 4, 5, 6 and 7. The candidates will be presented to the Contracting Authority (EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina) for advice.

Qualifications and Skills

• University degree or higher professional education in law, criminal justice, or security.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in law enforcement or the criminal justice sector, including work with prosecution offices and courts.
• Demonstrated knowledge of project management methodologies and tools is considered an advantage.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust and collaborate effectively across various stakeholders in the justice chain.
• Excellent analytical and reporting capabilities.
• Proficient in written and spoken English, with solid computer literacy.
• Documented experience as a Law Enforcement Expert in at least one EU-funded project or mission in the Western Balkans region.

General Professional Experience

General professional experience on the below mentioned points within EU Member States (EUMS) is considered an asset, specific experience on the below mentioned points in Bosnia and Herzegovina is considered an advantage.

• In-depth understanding of the criminal justice system and the dynamics of cooperation among its institutions.
• Prior experience working in the Western Balkans, particularly with the institutional framework and security sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina; knowledge of the local language is a strong asset.
• Background in engaging with EU institutions, international organizations, and national government bodies, including judicial and law enforcement agencies.
• At least six years of hands-on experience in cooperation between national and international police institutions and structures.
• Demonstrated experience working with law enforcement agencies (LEAs), prosecution offices (PPOs), and courts in the fight against organized crime.
• Proven ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary and multinational teams.
• Extensive professional background in inter-agency collaboration, including:
  • Facilitating inter-agency communication and multidisciplinary investigations
  • Developing action plans and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
  • Addressing procedural delays in criminal justice
  • Legislative drafting and advocacy for legal reforms
  • Expertise in PCC SEE, Advance Passenger Information (API), Passenger Name Record (PNR), data protection laws, and secure data exchange between LEAs and PPOs.
• Strong experience in international police cooperation, including:
  • Collaboration with EUROPOL, INTERPOL, SELEC, and PCC SEE
  • Use of SIENA and participation in EUROPOL analytical projects
  • Conducting training needs assessments (TNAs), developing training programs, and working with CEPOL
  • Involvement with FAST/ENFAST and cooperation with FRONTEX

Desirable experience

• Practical experience in supervising criminal investigations and drafting relevant police regulations aimed at improving investigative quality is considered an asset.
• Direct experience in managing complex investigations in close cooperation with special prosecution offices is an additional asset.
• Leadership and coordination skills within law enforcement environments are highly valued.
• Experience in drafting legislation and protocols related to data protection, memoranda of understanding, and mechanisms for timely data exchange between prosecution offices and LEAs in alignment with EU standards.
• Capacity to provide expert-level guidance and support on policing issues, particularly in international or specialized settings.
• Experience in the strategic and operational development of police institutions, including planning, procedures, training, and policy formulation in Bosnia and Herzegovina or the wider Western Balkans region.
• Proven ability to design and implement project activities, ensuring adherence to deadlines and high-quality outcomes.

Selection procedure

Candidates interested in participating in the tender procedure are encouraged to hand in their letter of interest at vandenberg@cilc.nl at latest at 12.00 hrs on 21 August 2025. The email must refer to the assignment title “EUPA4BiH International LTE on Internal and External Cooperation Application” and must comprise:

• A motivation letter (1 page).
• A CV clearly indicating the required qualifications and experiences. References must be available upon request.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. Interviews with shortlisted candidates will take place in the week of 25 August.