Specialist in Open Source Intelligence - Dutch Police

Are you a driven OSINT specialist with a sharp and broadly developed social awareness? Are you capable of delivering in crisis situations and do you want to play a key role in ensuring the safety of our society? Then this is the job for you!

Location(s): Venlo, Maastricht

Organizational unit: Limburg Unit

Field(s): Intelligence

Level: HBO BACHELOR


What are you going to do?

As an open-source intelligence (OSINT) specialist, you'll gather and interpret information from open sources. This includes social media, public registers, news sites, and the dark web. An OSINT specialist isn't a "Google expert"; in this role, you're an analyst, a technical researcher, and a digital tracker. You know how to transform an alias into a real identity. You also know how to uncover hidden networks of recruiters. You'll make smart use of available (online) tools, or you can simply build them yourself. By combining the information you find with available information from police systems, you'll identify, analyze, and interpret trends, networks, and phenomena. In doing so, you'll contribute to products and services that provide insight, overview, and perspective for the unit. Your knowledge and skills will also strengthen the national police network.

Your work aligns with intelligence and investigative interests. Therefore, you consistently assess your work against the legal framework. You also serve as both an advisor and ambassador for OSINT within the unit, sharing your knowledge and findings both orally and in writing in an inspiring way. You actively seek collaboration with colleagues and partners and are a strong liaison at various levels.
‍

Where are you going to work?

The Regional Intelligence Organization (DRIO) Limburg is a dynamic service consisting of over 200 employees who provide the police organization and its partners with up-to-date intelligence 24/7. Within the various DRIO departments, employees work daily with intelligence from sources including our police systems, open sources, and human resources. DRIO colleagues work decentrally in various locations within the unit, close to the various operational processes. The work culture is open, critical of content, and focused on development.

You will be working at the Regional Information Hub (RIK) of the DRIO. The RIK is responsible for collecting, processing, interpreting, and coordinating information and signals on various topics, including Counterterrorism, Extremism and Radicalization (CTER), Public Order and Safety, and Human Trafficking and Immigration Crime (M&M).
‍

Who are you?

You have a wide range of interests and are aware of social issues. You ask questions and make connections. You also see patterns and are constantly seeking new insights. This enables you to interpret the information you find accurately and objectively, taking into account aspects such as cultural traditions, historical events, and current social and technological developments. You then share your knowledge, insights, and findings in an understandable way. You are comfortable with technology and understand that the internet is more than just Google. You are therefore a digital whiz.

In order to continuously provide the police organization with up-to-date information, a certain degree of flexibility is expected and you are willing to perform on-call duties.

We further ask:

• HBO (bachelor) work and thinking level*;
• knowledge of internet and network technologies;
• experience with languages ​​such as Python or Javascript;
• that you can preferably handle different operating systems such as Windows, macOS and Linux;
• preferably work experience and/or relevant knowledge regarding open source research;
• affinity with online detection and enforcement;
• above-average interest in everything that happens online.
  ‍

What we offer

This position is linked to two locations: Venlo and Maastricht. There is room for 1 FTE. This is a 36-hour per week position.

Depending on your background, you will follow a 14-week training program at the Police Academy for specific employability (36 hours per week), possibly followed by an additional training program required for the position. During this training program, you will receive the salary agreed upon with you. Successful completion of the mandatory assessment is a prerequisite for starting the training program. Completing the training program is a requirement for performing this role.  Here you will find all the information  regarding the selection procedure, the assessment, and the training program.

During the internal, specialized police training program, you will be temporarily appointed as a trainee officer. After completing the training, we will offer you a temporary position with a one-year probationary period. A permanent position will follow as soon as possible after this probationary period.

Within the police force, we invest in your future. We offer extensive development opportunities and an attractive benefits package. This includes:

• a gross monthly salary of at least €3,232 and a maximum of €5,207 (scale 9 Bbp) based on a 36-hour working week;
• an Individual Choice Budget (IKB) consisting of two parts:
  • A gross portion of 17.86% of your salary. This budget allows you to customize some of your employment benefits. Consider, for example, paying out your budget, purchasing vacation hours, or participating in development activities like training.
  • A net portion of €515.91 per year. You can use this budget for sustainability goals, union dues, and vitality initiatives, for example.
• an excellent pension plan with ABP and paid parental leave ( more information about leave, arrangements and options ).
• The formal function within the police function structure is  operational specialist A.
  ‍

Interested?

For more information about the position, please call or email Karin van de Kerkhof, Team Leader C (06 - 83 63 40 37, karin.van.de.kerkhof@politie.nl ) or Paul Bastings, Operational Expert (06 – 31926288, paul.bastings@politie.nl ). For questions about the application procedure, please call or email Eline van den Brand, Recruiter (06 – 18 18 60 69, eline.van.den.brand@politie.nl ).

Apply no later than March 10, 2026, via the application button.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.
‍

What else is important

• A reliability and environmental assessment is part of the selection procedure.
• A subject-specific assessment may be part of the selection procedure.
• You have Dutch nationality (this may also be your second nationality).
• The police operate in a changing society where diverse perspectives are essential for effective policing. That's why diversity is so important to us. How can we leverage your knowledge and background to achieve this?
  ‍

* You hold a higher professional education (HBO) diploma (bachelor's degree) or are considered equivalent through EVC (Educational Learning). Or you have at least two years of demonstrable experience at the required work and thinking level. You must demonstrate this with your CV, supplemented by an official job description, vacancy announcement, or other document that clearly states the required work and thinking level.

‍

‍