Specialized Officer, Tech Ops (CAC)

Job Title: Specialized Officer, Tech Ops (CAC)

Reporting To: Coordinator

Location: Lyon

Type of contract: Fixed‑term Contract (36 months)

Deadline for applications: 27 July 2026

Grade: 5

Number of posts: 1

Security screening level: Enhanced

INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 196 Member Countries. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross‑border police cooperation and supports all organizations whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime.

INTERPOL actively encourages applications from women and nationals of member countries that are currently under‑represented on our staff. Candidates from these countries are particularly encouraged to apply.

INTERPOL’s recruitment process is merit‑based; all hiring decisions are made considering the applicant’s qualifications and the needs of the Organization.

Overview of the Post

The Executive Directorate Investigation Support (EDIS) oversees INTERPOL’s police investigative support. The Organized and Emerging Crime (OEC) Directorate within EDIS focuses primarily on operational activities, including supporting member countries to carry out transnational operations, and provides investigative support to member countries. The Vulnerable Communities (VCO) Sub‑Directorate focuses on three crime areas: Crimes against Children (CAC), Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants (HTSM).

Under the supervision and guidance of management, the Specialized Officer – Tech Ops assumes responsibility for continuing with existing activities and establishing new programs that provide operational, investigative and technical support to member countries.

The incumbent takes part in various CAC unit activities, with a focus on advanced digital forensics, reverse engineering and complex cyber investigations.

Responsibilities

• Duty 1: Advanced Digital Forensics & Reverse Engineering: Conduct forensic analysis and live evidence acquisition from running systems and memory dumps, produce forensic reports, perform cryptoanalysis, password recovery, and analysis of encrypted systems, execute reverse engineering of software, applications, and databases, and analyze file systems and artifacts while ensuring strict adherence to chain‑of‑custody procedures.
• Duty 2: Complex Cyber Investigations & Dark Web Operations: Lead dark web and Tor investigations, including undercover online operations and de‑anonymization techniques, employ attribution methodologies, conduct cryptocurrency tracing and blockchain analysis, correlate intelligence to support cross‑border investigations, and manage the collection and presentation of digital evidence.
• Duty 3: Investigative Software Development: Develop custom investigative tools and automate workflows using Python, Java, and C++, design and implement ETL and data processing pipelines, manage API integrations, oversee database design for both SQL and NoSQL environments, and develop tools for data parsing, transformation, search, and analysis.
• Duty 4: Data Infrastructure & Technical Operations: Manage Elasticsearch and OpenSearch environments, design data ingestion pipelines and architecture, optimize indexing and search capabilities, deliver analytics and visualization solutions, implement semantic search and embeddings, and oversee system and server administration, virtualization and scalable infrastructure design.
• Duty 5: Capacity Building and Training Development: Prepare and deliver training linked to the above activities.
• Duty 6: Documentation and Standards Development: Draft documentation, referrals, standards of operation, and curriculums linked to the above activities.
• Duty 7: Participation in Forums and Working Groups: Participate in professional and international forums and working groups, government, civil society and private sector, delivering speeches, presentations and comments.
• Duty 8: Additional Tasks and Responsibilities: Carry any other task related to Crimes Against Children or the unit’s mandate to ensure the Organization can provide continued service to its membership.

Qualifications

Training and Education

• Three to four years of university education (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent diploma) in Computer Science, Information Technology or a related technical field.

Experience

• At least three years of experience in investigating online crimes against children and technologies used to facilitate such crimes in a law‑enforcement agency.
• Ten years’ experience is required if the post holder does not have the required level of education.
• Proven experience in digital forensics.
• Proven experience in software development and data engineering.
• Sound knowledge of investigative software development, data infrastructure management, and application of technical solutions to support cross‑border investigations and analysis of encrypted systems.
• Proven experience in police services is a strong asset.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of Arabic, French or Spanish is considered an additional asset.

Abilities Required

• Ability to work with explicit and graphic child sexual exploitation material such as images and videos on a regular basis.
• Ability to work in an international and dynamic environment, demanding frequent interaction and cooperation.
• Ability to work seamlessly as a member of a team.
• Ability to draft high‑quality documents and presentations.
• Ability to think/plan operationally and strategically and transform initiatives into new working practices.
• Ability to work independently in an organized and disciplined manner.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral (public speaking and delivery of presentations).
• High level of computer literacy, comfort with technology and software, and ability to conceptualise systems and tools.
• Readiness for frequent travel abroad, ability to adapt to local conditions and customs.

Skills Required

• Personal and professional maturity.
• Adaptability and the capability to work under pressure.
• Ability to handle sensitive material and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to maintain objectivity and apply logical reasoning.
• Good social skills in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional networks.
• Good listening skills.
• Aptitude to work under minimum supervision.
• Self‑motivation and initiative.
• Commitment to quality and achievement.

Age Limit Policy

Officials of the Organization shall not normally be retained in service beyond the age of 65 years. The Secretary General may, in exceptional cases and in the interests of the Organization, extend this age limit, in which case he shall inform the official concerned sufficiently in advance. Candidates who reach the age of 65 during the potential duration of the appointment may have an employment period that does not extend for the full standard contract duration.