SECONDMENT - Head of Laboratory - Emerging Technologies

VACANCY NOTICE 1494 

This vacancy announcement pertains to law enforcement and/or governmental officials within INTERPOL's member countries only.

Please read the Conditions of Secondment in force at INTERPOL (shared via the NCB) including the maximum duration of secondment.

Please be aware that your home Administration/Agency/Service/Government will be responsible for all of your salary/remuneration, social insurance, pension contributions, welfare benefits, family allowances, benefits during your assignment at INTERPOL as well as travel, removal expenses related to your arrival at and departure from INTERPOL, and any other related costs depending on your circumstances. It is requested that you obtain in writing, confirmation from your home Administration/Agency/Service/Government that it agrees with these CONDITIONS OF SECONDMENT. This confirmation letter should be forwarded to us THROUGH THE NCB.

INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 196 member states. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations, authorities, and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime. INTERPOL is now looking for a qualified candidate as a SECONDMENT - Head of Laboratory - Emerging Technologies within the Innovation Centre which is part of the​​​​​​ Exec. Dir. Technology and Innovation.

Job title: SECONDMENT - Head of Laboratory - Emerging Technologies
Reporting To: Assistant Director, Strategic Innovation 
Location: Singapore 
Duration (in months): 36.00 
Grade: 3 
Number of post: 1
Security Clearance Level: Basic
Deadline for application: 23 February 2026, 11:59 SGT 

INTERPOL strives to achieve a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcomes applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. To achieve our Diversity goals, we encourage applications from women and nationals of under/unrepresented member countries who are passionate about our mission. INTERPOL’s recruitment process is merit-based hence all hiring decisions are made considering the applicant’s qualifications and the needs of the Organization.

SUMMARY OF THE ASSIGNED DUTIES, INCLUDING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE POST

The Innovation Centre (IC) is an entity that all law enforcement agencies around the world seek to actively engage to complement their respective strategic futures planning and technical innovation. It consists of Strategic and Applied Innovation sub Directorates. In this context the post holder is responsible for managing the Futures and Foresight Lab within the Strategic Innovation sub Directorate; working closely with the Adaptive Policing Lab, the Applied Innovation Sub Directorate, other INTERPOL units and external partners in a flexible project team approach researching, developing and implementing dynamic and innovative solutions to policing issues. The outputs of these project teams are:

• Foresight - Acquiring the capacity of strategic foresight to anticipate how future policing scenarios across various crime types may play out; the ability to apply forward-thinking to adapt and advocate fresh policing strategies, including shaping the way law enforcement agencies will operate and be organised in the future;
• Policy – Developing, considering and advocating interventions at the policy level to enhance law enforcement processes and value chains; facilitating the development of internationally endorsed policing standards and norms;
• New Technologies - Facilitating a coordinated approach for INTERPOL, member countries and non-governmental partners to be collectively plugged in to the world of new technologies, understand the threats they pose but also the opportunities they generate to enhance policing efforts.
• Concrete Deliverables – Applying innovation at the tactical level to deliver technical solutions to member countries based on their immediate needs.
  The objective is instilling an INTERPOL culture of innovation to support its member states through the identification of future policing scenarios, the dynamic development of ground breaking policing initiatives and internationally agreed policing standards, underpinned by a research platform for police, public/private partners and academia.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ACTIVITIES

In the context of the objectives defined by his/her superiors, the incumbent performs functions of considerable complexity due to the degree of expertise or the level of coordination required and should be able to work independently. Performing these functions requires an in-depth knowledge of files and an understanding of the interactions between diverse tasks, as well as the resourcefulness to propose new solutions.

The post holder must be able to research appropriate references (texts, procedures, methodologies, etc.) to perform his/her tasks and interpret them with a view to their adaptation. The incumbent is required to have contacts on every level within and outside the organization, and will consequently have a direct impact on the organization’s image. He/she must have excellent knowledge of the files to be discussed or presented, and be able to manage and account for resources used. When making decisions, the incumbent may be required to commit the organization vis-a-vis external partners. Given his/her experience, he/she is an important source of proposals to Management.

DUTY 1: TEAM LEADING AND ADMINISTRATION

• In compliance with the Organization’s priorities, management decisions and relevant policies/rules, implement and coordinate all daily and ad hoc tasks of the Futures and Foresight Lab.
• Lead and supervise the staff members assigned to the Futures and Foresight Lab.
• Manage the budget of the Futures and Foresight Lab and any project funds.
• Provide pro-active guidance and sound analytical studies for his/her hierarchy’s decision.
• When required, as one of the senior staff members of the Strategic Innovation Sub Directorate, replace the Assistant Director Strategic Innovation to ensure the smooth daily running of the Sub Directorate in the absence of the latter.

DUTY 2: FUTURES AND FORESIGHT

• Lead futures and foresight research which encompasses environmental scanning and scenario planning work to help INTERPOL and its member countries identify and better understand the various drivers and trends across various crime types and operating contexts.
• Lead a group of experts specialized in strategic analysis in monitoring emerging crime trends and threats to security, through employing appropriate scientific methodologies, such as horizon scanning and risk assessment programs.
• Identify and define the futures and foresight needs of the global law enforcement community.

QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATION REQUIRED:

• At least five years’ University education. At least ten years’ working experience in the field of policing and innovation will be accepted in lieu of a formal university qualification. A combination of formal qualification and experience will also be considered.

LANGUAGES

• Fluency in English. Proficiency in a second official working language of the Organization (Arabic, French or Spanish) would be an additional asset.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Minimum of at least eight years’ experience in a law enforcement organization and proven experience in leadership and management.
• Expertise in futures and foresight including horizon/environmental scanning and scenario planning.
• Experience in implementing dynamic innovative solutions to strategic policing issues.
• Experience in the area of cybercrime or counterterrorism or organized crime in a law enforcement environment.
• Strong background in Internet research.
• Working knowledge of legal issues relating to transnational crime investigations.
• Experience in working or studying in an international environment would be desirable.
• A good working knowledge of INTERPOL would be considered an additional asset.

SKILLS REQUIRED

• Demonstrated management skills, including: Leadership;Managing performance; Actively supporting career development; Decision making.
• Strong communication skills, both in written and oral form (public speaking and delivery of presentations).

SPECIAL APTITUDES REQUIRED

• Ability to use innovative thinking to develop unique solutions.
• Personal and professional maturity;
• Ability to maintain objectivity and apply logical, specifically inductive, reasoning;
• Ability to work in teams as well as individually;
• Ability to adapt to a multicultural and diverse environment.
• Ability to work persistently and under pressure;
• Initiative, creativity (original thinking) and curiosity;
• Ability to develop and maintain professional networks;
• Ability to synthesize;
• Attention to detail;
• Good listening skills.