Vacancy Notice 1221
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: Head of Missions & Travel Branch (MTB)
Reporting To: Assistant Director, PCTM
Location: Singapore or Lyon (willing to relocate to Singapore)
Type of contract: Fixed-term Contract
Duration (in months): 36.00
Grade: 4
Number of post(s): 1
Level of Security screening: Basic
Deadline for application: 10 March 2026
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.
Tests/interviews in connection to this selection procedure will take place approximately 2-4 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.
BACKGROUND
The Head of the Missions and Travel Branch (MTB) will drive the modernization of the unit in line with the Organization's strategic objectives, the recently developed MTB strategy, and industry standards.
The successful candidate will lead the implementation of comprehensive travel management strategy and related policies, under the direction of the Assistant Director PCTM (Procurement & Contracts, Travel, Missions, and Events), leveraging technology and innovation to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve overall travel experience for INTERPOL staff.
Acts as the key liaison between INTERPOL and external service providers, including travel management companies and airlines, to ensure service delivery and effective coordination.
Leads and manages the MTB team, ensuring all relevant services are properly delivered to a high standard and in compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the transformation of the Missions and Travel Branch: Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to modernize the Unit, aligning with the Organization’s strategic objectives and industry standards.
- Drive digital transformation: Oversee the implementation of new technologies and systems, such as online booking tools, automated travel expense management, and integrated travel management platforms, to enhance efficiency and reduce manual processes.
- Improve travel management processes: Streamline existing processes, to reduce costs and improve the overall travel experience for INTERPOL staff.
- Enhance supplier management: Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key travel management companies, airlines, and other suppliers to ensure best-in-class services and competitive pricing.
- Develop and implement policies and procedures: Create and maintain relevant policies, procedures, and guidelines, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and industry standards.
- Lead and manage the MTB team: Supervise and mentor a team of travel professionals, providing guidance and support to ensure the successful implementation of the modernization strategy.
- Monitor and evaluate performance: Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of the modernization strategy and identify areas for improvement.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
REVIEW & COORDINATION
- Coordinate the delivery of the strategic transformation of the Mission and Travel Branch service offerings.
- Review existing policies, procedures and processes as part of overall transformation efforts, making clear recommendations for improvements where necessary.
- Coordinate, monitor and oversee MTB team delivery of client requests, and ensuring prompt MTB service delivery.
- Coordinate with TMC to ensure group and individual travel are properly catalogued for related service offerings, ensuring value for money through airline agreements, and compliance with travel rules.
COMMUNICATION & ENGAGEMENT
- Relationship Management: Coordinate regular communication and positive relationships with travel and conference service providers, ensuring awareness and knowledge transfer for the Missions and Travel Branch team.
- Negotiation and Conflict Resolution: Lead negotiations to resolve issues and disputes with vendor partners and requesting departments, ensuring mutual satisfaction. Focus on achieving favorable outcomes while optimizing quality service delivery.
- Performance and Compliance Monitoring: Monitor and evaluate vendor performance to ensure compliance with agreements and INTERPOL standards. Address any performance issues and lead constructive feedback and collaborative problem-solving.
- Business optimization: Ensure business continuity, cost compliance and service delivery to clients through data monitoring and reporting optimization.
ADMINISTRATION
- Administer SAP traveler profile creation and vendor purchase requests, ensuring timely completion of mission and per diem orders in relevant platform (e.g., NOTILUS) coordinate audit recommendation responses and implementation, and lead other modernization inputs as required present modernization activities to relevant organizational bodies when required
- Liaise between different units and Directorates on any relevant matters including procurement, accounting, protocol, and finance.
- Propose and lead the team’s implementation of modernization recommendations to improve individual and group travel processes and procedures.
QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS
Education and qualifications required:
- University degree or equivalent in a relevant field (e.g., business administration, economics, or a related field).
- Candidates who do not have a university degree can substitute with proven experience
Experience required:
- At least 5 years of experience leading a corporate services function, ideally corporate travel or events services, effectively managing service delivery in a high-paced environment.
- At least 2 years of experience driving change-implementation with examples of leading digital transformation, including the production and adoption of new processes, policies and procedures.
- Experience leading complex negotiations and delivering presentations to a wide range of stakeholders, including senior decision makers from inside and outside of your organization.
- Ability to articulate best practices in corporate processes (travel processes an added advantage) and establish measurable results in a corporate team environment.
- Experience of effectively managing budgets, including the use of SAP, and production of relevant financial reporting.
- Experience in the management of multi-cultural and multi-generational teams.
- Experience managing performance audit recommendations.
- Experience in using AI to enhance corporate travel service offerings is an asset.
Languages:
- Fluency in English is required
- Ability to communicate in French would be an asset
- Knowledge of one or more official working languages of the Organization (Arabic or Spanish) would be an asset
Abilities required:
- SAP and/or NOTILUS competency is required
- Familiarity with how to implement digital travel and expense tools such as Amadeus, Citric, Online Booking Tools, Cvent, etc.
- Strong financial monitoring and reporting capabilities including managing budget resources
- Problem-solver, with strong initiative for implementing related solutions
- High analytical skills and solution orientation
- Excellent negotiation skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organizational knowledge and client relationship management
- Highest standards of discretion, ethics and professional integrity
- Ability to work under pressure and produce results on short timelines
Additional aptitudes:
- Demonstrates professional maturity, logical reasoning, teamwork, and the ability to work under pressure
- Able to make presentations to internal clients and diverse vendors, representing the Organization’s multicultural environment
- Capable of engaging with external providers to manage service delivery challenges, while maintaining professional network
- Ability to synthesize information effectively, draft clear actions, and follow-up to ensure resolution
- Demonstrated management experience and leadership skills in managing multi-cultural, multigenerational teams and driving change
- Ability to think strategically and drive innovation, with a focus on leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and improve the travel experience
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience in managing budgets and controlling costs
- Adhere to ethical behavior acting diplomatically and fairly in all engagements
