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    • Do you have what it takes to join the EU border guard?

    2024-01-04

    Frontex is launching recruitment for experienced law enforcement officers to lead the first standing corps contingents. If you are looking for a job where you can make a difference – look no further. 

    We’ve asked Lars Gerdes, Frontex Deputy Executive Director, to tell us what type of leaders Frontex is looking for: 

    “We’re seeking experienced law enforcement officers to pioneer the first standing corps contingents. This is not just a job opportunity, it’s a chance to etch your name in history, to tread a path that no one has trodden before. 

    The job is a mosaic of challenging and innovative tasks. We’re in the midst of creating a new field structure, decentralising our operational command. This is the future of the agency, and we are on the lookout for people who will form the backbone of Frontex, who will join us in moulding this future together.

    We need true leaders, individuals with substantial experience in law enforcement organisations. People who see their job not just as a profession, but as a mission, and who embed European values at the very heart of their work. 

    For a leader, I believe it’s crucial to know how to inspire others, to ignite the spark that motivates a team. Having a clear vision of the objectives and goals, and the ability to set priorities is key. For me, people skills are vital. A leader, at any level, needs to show respect towards everyone, regardless of their position in the organisation. 

    My leadership style is a blend of demanding and deeply caring. I expect the best from my team, but I also deeply care about the people I work with. 

    My career began as a regular military recruit three decades ago. I served as a group and platoon leader in the paratroopers’ force, gaining a wealth of international experience. I held several senior positions in the German Federal Police, but leading the German police mission in Afghanistan was the most formative experience for me. 

    I am driven by the vision of a safe and prosperous Europe, and my greatest motivation comes from the support of the hundreds of men and women who work under my leadership. Their dedication, their commitment, their unwavering resolve, it's like a beacon that guides me, that fuels my passion. 

    This is what makes me eager to go to work, to embrace the challenges of each new day.”