Communications and Publicity Officer CEPOL - European Police College

Job Summary

Reporting providing a range of services to support the promotion of the organisation, enhancing current and future stakeholder’s awareness and understanding of the work of CEPOL.

Key Accountabilities

• Coordinating the development, implementation and execution of a Communications Strategy
• Coordinating and enabling the development of the organisational brand
• Developing and maintaining a portfolio of organisational multi‐media promotional materials and artefacts
• Developing and implementing standards related to Communication, Stakeholder Relations as well as Protocol for the organisation
• Proactively advising and supporting operational projects and programmes on the communication of their activities and achievements
• Monitoring and analysis of press/media coverage of the organisation and of the operational domain of CEPOL and informing/advising CEPOL Management accordingly
• Preparing press releases and press conferences
• Keep contact with national communication units of the CEPOL’s network (Member States)
• Ensuring the constructive engagement of European press/media.
• Ensuring the promotion of the CEPOL website to ensure the engagement of the various target user groups.
• Acting as primary content manager and coordinator to ensure the quality and relevance of the CEPOL website
• Line management of the Web & Communications Assistant;
• Conducting an analysis on internal and external communication requirements;
• The continuing development of the CEPOL website in liaison with the CEPOL Management
• Writing management and financial reports on the use and development of the CEPOL website;
• Supervising the maintenance of CEPOL’s official contact details and associated data;
• Designing and delivering regular news updates to the Member States and Stakeholders;
• Implementing and coordinating internal information and communication within the Secretariat
• Assisting the CEPOL Management in their contacts with international bodies and organisations concerned with police training and learning;

Eligibility Criteria

a) A level of post secondary education attested by a diploma, or

A level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post‐secondary education, and appropriate professional experience of at least three years relevant to the position (communication, PR, Press, media, journalism etc);

In addition to the above at least 6 years of professional experience of which 3 years in a similar role (press, communication, reporting, media, journalism etc;

b) another language of the Communities to the extent necessary for the performance of his/her duties.

In addition, in order to be eligible the candidate must:

• Be a national of a Member State of the European Union,
• Be entitled to his or her full rights as a citizen ;
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws on military service;
• Meet the character requirements for the duties involved and
• Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post .

Selection Criteria

• Candidates selected on the basis of the above eligibility criteria will then be evaluated according to the following criteria:
• Experience and knowledge in the areas mentioned above under “key accountabilities”, in particular:
• Experience in the development and implementation of Communications Strategy
• Experience of organisational promotion
• Experience of Stakeholder Relations coordination or support, preferable gained in an international environment
• Have knowledge of international protocol standards and practices
• Media relation and communication
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office packages as well ass knowledge of desk top publishing software;
• Able to exploit technology to support and enable good communications
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and versatility;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Ability to plan and produce work under time pressure;
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgement in addressing and proactively managing communication issues;

Advantageous Selection Criteria

• Very good interpersonal skills; ability to work in a multi‐cultural, multi‐ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect to diversity;
• High degree of pro‐activity and foresight will be highly valued;

Appointment and Conditions of Employment

A contract offer will be made as a member of the temporary staff of the CEPOL Secretariat in accordance with the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Communities 3 for a four year period, which may be renewed for an additional 2 years.

The successful candidate will be recruited as AST 4. The estimated basic monthly salary shall be € 3.844,31 dependant upon relevant experience. The correction coefficient (current on date of publication of vacancy notice: 34.40%) for the United Kingdom shall apply. The salary is free of national taxation. In addition, CEPOL will provide benefits and entitlements in line with those of European Union Civil Servants. The successful candidate shall undergo a probation period of 6 months.

The successful candidate will be appointed by the Director on the basis of a list of suitable candidates proposed by the Selection Committee. Candidates should note that the proposal may be made public and that an inclusion on a reserve list does not guarantee recruitment. The established reserve list may be used for the recruitment of similar posts depending on the needs of CEPOL and will be valid for a period of 18 months following the report of the Selection Committee (the validity of the reserve list may be extended).

For reasons related to CEPOL’s operational requirements, the candidate may be required to be available at short notice.

Declaration of Commitment to Serve Public Interest Independently

The job holder will be required to make a declaration of commitment to act independently in the public interest and to make a declaration in relation to the interests that might be considered prejudicial to his/her independence.

Commitment to promote Equal Opportunities

CEPOL is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from all candidates who fulfil the eligibility and selection criteria without any distinction on the grounds of nationality, age, race, gender, political, philosophical or religious conviction or sexual orientation and regardless of disabilities, marital status or other family situation.

Selection Procedure

Eligibility of candidates will be assessed according to compliance with all formal requirements by the closing date for the submission of applications. Eligible candidates whose application shows evidence of all essential selection criteria may be invited for an interview, which will be held in English. During the selection process, candidates may be required to undergo a competency assessment exercise and complete part of the process in their second EU language. The interview session will be held in Bramshill, Hampshire, United Kingdom.

For further information refer to: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/personnel_administration/publications_en.htm

Please note that the Selection Committee’s work and deliberations are strictly confidential and that any contact with its members is strictly forbidden.

Due to the large volume of applications received, only candidates selected for the interviews will be contacted. All applicants will be informed of the status of their application at the completion of the recruitment procedure.

Please note that applications will not be returned to candidates but will be kept on file by CEPOL. The information provided in your application is subject to EU legislation on protection of personal

data and confidentiality of information.

Submission of Application

For applications to be valid and eligible for consideration, the candidates must submit in a single A4‐sized envelope one (1) original and three (3) copies of all the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) in the Euro‐pass format;
• A complete CEPOL Application Form 4 ;
• A motivation letter of no more than one page, explaining why the candidate is interested in the post and what would be his/her added value to CEPOL if selected;
• The application form MUST be signed and dated.

Applications received that do not comply with the above instructions may be considered inacceptable and be excluded.

Candidates are kindly asked to send their applications as separate sheets without stapling or binding them together. In order to ensure the receipt of your application, CEPOL strongly recommends sending it by registered mail.

Applications sent via e‐mail will not be accepted.

Do not send supporting documents with your application (i.e., copies of your ID card, copies of passport, educational certificates, evidence of previous employment, etc.). Candidates invited for an interview will be requested to present for verification all original documents supporting every educational achievement and work experience they have referred to in the application.

Please note: At no stage will applications be returned to the candidate.

Closing Date

Applications must be post marked no later than Friday 25 February.
Please note that in order to be considered, the applications received are required to be dispatched within the deadline. The postmark date will serve as a proof of dispatch within the deadline.

Sending applications

Please send your application marked private and confidential to the following address:

European Police College (CEPOL)
Human Resources Section
CEPOL House
Bramshill, Hook
Hampshire RG27 0JW
United Kingdom