SECONDMENT - Senior Fingerprint Examiner

VACANCY NOTICE 1617 

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 - Senior Fingerprint Examiner within the Exec. Dir. Police Capabilities  which is part of the  ​​​​​​.

Job title: SECONDMENT - Senior Fingerprint Examiner
Reporting To:  Coordinator
Location: Lyon
Duration (in months): 36.00
Grade: 5
Number of post: 1
Security Clearance Level: Basic/Enhanced
Deadline for application: 8 November 2026

INTERPOL actively encourages applications from women and nationals of member countries that are currently unrepresented among our staff (please click on this link to access the list of countries). Candidates from these countries are particularly encouraged to apply. 

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

INTRODUCTION OF THE POST

 The mission of the Fingerprint Unit is to provide up-to-date specialized knowledge, training and operational support in specific human identification areas. Specialized databases which exist in specific separate areas of human identification (AFIS) must be updated and maintained regularly to ensure the highest level of accuracy when performing comparison and identification.

The Senior Fingerprint Examiner is responsible to perform duties on an expert level under the supervision and responsibility of the Coordintor of the Fingerprint Unit.  In addition to processing fingerprint data (10 prints and crime scene marks), he/she will also provide relevant expert training in-house and externally, provide presentations of the service and promote it in diverse fora.  He/she will also manage special projects and represent the Coordinator in his/her absence.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ACTIVITIES

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

1. Performing fingerprint comparison and identification (50%)

• Prepares enters and compares fingerprints using the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).
• Prepare findings for presentation, testifies as an expert witness concerning the scientific facts established in the analysis of fingerprint evidence.
• Making sure that fingerprint database is in line with INTERPOL rules on data retention.
• Maintains (AFIS) latent fingerprint data base, fingerprint records and files.
• Filing and deletion of fingerprint records.
• Ensuring the unit can reply 24/7 via a regular on call duty
• As member of IRT (Incident Response Teams) managing fingerprint duties, performing fingerprint identification and providing other fingerprint expertise when required

1. Staff training (latent marks), external staff training (10%)

• Train present identification staff to perform the skills in latent identification area including the use of the AFIS, this will include the creation of a training manual.
• Organize and participate in training of  fingerprint staff from member countries.

1. Promotion of the service, organize and participate in working group meetings and conferences (30%)

• Organize meetings on the AFIS capabilities.
• Inform Member Countries of AFIS success stories and how they can benefit from this service.
• Organize and conduct visits of the unit.
• Prepare and provide presentations of the unit and/or special projects in diverse fora.

1. Diverse duties (10%)

• Manage special projects assigned by the Coordinator of the Fingerprint Unit.
• Represent the Coordinator of the Fingerprint as required and in his/her absence.

Perform any other duties as required by the supervisor. 

QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

EDUCATION

1. Three to four years’ education at a University or other specialized higher education establishment.

EXPERIENCE

1. At least three years’ experience in the area in question, and where necessary, management experience.  Ten years’ experience in the area is required if the post holder does not have the required level of education.

LANGUAGES

1. Fluency in English.  Proficiency in a second official working language of the Organization (Arabic, French or Spanish) would be an additional asset.
2. Strong communication skills, both in written and oral form (public speaking and deliver of presentations).

COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE

1. Experience  in working with computers including knowledge of oral presentations software, business intelligence and word processing software.
2. Excellent knowledge of AFIS technology.

SPECIAL APTITUDE REQUIRED

1. Personal and professional maturity;
2. Ability to maintain objectivity and apply logical reasoning
3. Ability to work in teams as well as individually;
4. Ability to work under pressure;
5. Good social skills, particularly in a multicultural environment;
6. Initiative, creativity (original thinking) and curiosity;
7. Ability to develop and maintain professional networks.
8. Ability to synthesize; Good listening skills.
   

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As part of our commitment to transparency throughout our recruitment process, INTERPOL's Staff Manual Regulation 11.4: Age-limit, which states that:

'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.'

Given this Regulation and in case candidates reach the age of 65 during the potential duration of the appointment, should they be selected for the position and the process proceed to appointment, the employment period may be affected by this regulatory limit and may therefore not extend for the full standard contract duration as published in the vacancy notice.

We are sharing this information to ensure transparency at this stage of the process.