Biometrics Specialized OfficerBiometrics Specialized Officer

Vacancy Notice 844

INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 196 Member Countries. 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 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.

Job Title: Biometrics Specialized Officer
Reporting To: Project Coordinator
Location: Lyon, France
Type of contract: Fixed-term Contract
Duration (in months): 27 months
Grade: 5
Number of post: 1
Level of Security screening: Basic
Deadline for application: 13 February 2025

Conditions applying for all candidates

Only professional experience for which candidates can provide official proof of employment will be considered. Candidates could be requested to provide copies of such official documents prior to interviews/test.

* Subsequent extension to this post will be subject to the terms of the Organization’s Staff Manual, to satisfactory performance and to availability of funds.

* This position is financed by a third-party, external to the Organization with funding provided by the donor. Although there is a commitment from the donor, the appointment may be terminated prior to indicate official end date of project, should the external funding for this position no longer be available. This position also carries, in principle, no expectation of renewal. Any potential subsequent extension will be subject to the terms of the Organization’s Staff Manual, to satisfactory performance and to availability of funds.

Tests/interviews in connection to this selection procedure will take place approximately xx weeks after the deadline for applications. Applicants are kindly requested to plan their availability during this period accordingly, in case they are short-listed.

​Selected candidates will be expected to report for duty approximately two to three months after receiving an offer of employment at the latest.

This selection exercise may be used to generate a reserve list of suitable candidates that may be used to address Organization's similar staffing needs in the future.

Project IDENTITY intends to enhance West African law enforcement authorities’ capacity to process (collect, record, consult, transmission, use, disclosure and deletion), via INTERPOL Information System, biometric data (in particular face + finger) from individuals who are of interest for the purposes of international police cooperation.

Under the supervision of the Coordinator IDENTITY, the incumbent will be required to apply its biometric knowledge to diverse range of tasks as required by the needs of the IDENTITY project and its alignment with the overall biometric strategy of the organization.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ACTIVITES

In the order of importance, indicate main duties and activities performed by the post holder: supervisory responsibility, taking decisions, etc

         DUTY 1

Under the supervision of both the Coordinator IDENTITY and Fingerprints & Face, and in collaboration with the Biometric Units at FPDM:

• Maintain and transmit to the IDENTITY beneficiary countries a holistic understanding of all the INTERPOL biometric databases.
• Assist IDENTITY beneficiary countries’ authorities in the collection of biometric data.
• Support beneficiary countries in the procedure for requesting the publication/circulation of Notices/Diffusions.
• Ensure that the use of the INTERPOL biometric databases by beneficiary countries is compliant with INTERPOL’s procedures and Rules on the Processing of Data (RPD) whilst identifying, responding to and correcting, in accordance with the specialized biometric unit, any non-compliance issues where appropriate.
• Serve as the project’s business liaison within FPDM, other OSA sub-directorates and departments in the General Secretariat such as Executive Directorate of Legal Affairs, Information & Systems Technology Directorate, Data Protection Office, Specialized Crime Sub-Directorates, etc., on matters related to biometrics.

        DUTY 2

  Support the Biometric units under FPDM in:

• INTERPOL’s biometric product developments and policy
• Provide biometric-related support such as data entry and data validation, depending on the incumbent's area of expertise.
• As subject matter expert, represent INTERPOL by participating in various working groups and international conferences when requested by the FPDM Assistant Director and/ or Senior Coordinator.

         DUTY 3

Under the supervision of both the Coordinator IDENTITY and Fingerprints & Face, and in collaboration with the Biometric Units at FPDM:

• Develop training material and delivering training, on-site and online, related to the INTERPOL biometric business products with a specific focus on the quality and exchange formats.
• Participate in promotional activities to increase awareness of INTERPOL biometric business products and best practices among stakeholders.
• Support in the development of the legal framework and SOPs enabling the collection and storage of Biometric data of the IDENTITY beneficiary countries.

         DUTY 4

Support the Biometric Units under FPDM by:

• Responding to member countries' requests for assistance by providing, for example, technical information, practical support or general advice related to biometrics.
• Providing forensic support to all biometric units as required.
• Participating in Incident Response Teams and going on mission to member countries.

Perform any other duties as required by the supervisor

QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• A minimum of three-to-four years' education at a University or other specialized higher education establishment. Ten years' experience is required if the education qualification is not met.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• At least three years' experience in the Fingerprint discipline.
• Recognised expertise and knowledge of additional biometrics (DNA, Facial Recognition, and awareness of crime scene investigation in accordance with best practices) and/or biometric matching technology would be an asset.
• Working experience with African countries.
• Experience in working in another international organization / international environment would be an asset.

LANGUAGES

• Professional fluency in both French and English.
• Ability to understand and present in Arabic would be an advantage.

ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Ability to maintain objectivity and apply logical reasoning.
• Initiative, creativity (original thinking) and curiosity.
• Experience in working with computers including knowledge of oral presentations software, business intelligence and word processing software
• Excellent organizational skills and resourcefulness.
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Ability to independently write comprehensive reports and decision-making documents.
• Good listening skills.
• Ability to cope with sudden increase in workload and high degree of availability (may be required required to work overtime and outside normal working hours).
• Ability to synthesize & analyse.
• Ability to work in a team as well as individually with minimum supervision.
• Ability to react quickly and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Highly-motivated with a sense of initiative.
• Discretion, tact, diplomacy, rigor, particularly in a multicultural environment.
• Personal and professional maturity.
• Multi-tasking and result-oriented.
• Ability to work under pressure.