Previous Article
News
CEP is looking for a trainee Policy Officer!
Please note that this position is only open to someone working for a CEP member organisation. During the time of the traineeship, you will be seconded from the organisation you currently work at.
To work as a trainee Policy Officer (PO) for CEP is a unique opportunity to see and get to know probation in Europe. The PO is involved in many different activities and events and builds up a network of probation professionals all over Europe.
The PO trainee has:
- Education: Graduated from an accredited University with an academic degree in Law, Social Work, Criminology, Social Pedagogy, Public Administration, Psychology or Sociology, or other relevant qualifications.
- Experience: Proven (minimum 3 years) experience in the probation field casework or similar work in a related correctional field, or in organizations/institutions related to the correctional sector. Experience in planning and organising activities. Experience in working with strategic documents and long term planning. Candidates for trainee Policy Officer may have experience as Probation Officer or first line manager/policy officer or have another relevant position in their parent organization (a CEP member organisation).
- Skills: Good knowledge of the English language (both written and spoken), good communication skills, the capacity to represent CEP in international events – including giving presentations. Good social skills and capacity to build and maintain a network.
The tasks for the Policy Officer trainee are:
- Taking the lead in several expert groups of CEP (for example on Domestic Violence, Mental Health, Violent Extremism)
- Taking the lead in all aspects of work regarding the European Framework Decisions
- Cooperating in the yearly application for the EU Operating Grant
- Representing CEP at international meetings and events
Former seconded Policy Officer Maria Lindström did an interview about her two years at CEP, click on the link to read it.
Length of traineeship
In order to really understand and come up to full speed, a period of two years is needed for the trainee. It is also important for the work environment at the CEP secretariat to have enough time for new colleagues. It is important that the trainee understands that he/she needs to work very independently and that the tasks vary a lot.
The CEP office is based in Utrecht, the Netherlands, so it is important that the trainee, if she/he is from another country, has access to a good working space with colleagues, the right equipment such as a computer, smartphone, internet access, skype etc. to enable good communcation lines with the CEP office.
Applicants should have the support and endorsement of their employing organisation and CEP will engage with the employer on terms and conditions. All costs for travels made on behalf of CEP will be covered by CEP.
Application
Do you see yourself in this position and do you want to apply? Please send your motivation letter and cv to secr@cep-probaiton.org. Note that you have to have permission from your employer to apply for this position. The deadline for submitting your application is the 1st of November 2019.
Related News
Keep up to date with the latest developments, stories, and updates on probation from across Europe and beyond. Find relevant news and insights shaping the field today.
Recap
Caseload and workload
Recap: Workshop on Caseload and Workload
28/05/2026
On 27 and 28 May 2026, Bucharest hosted the CEP Workshop on Caseload and Workload: Supporting Sustainable Probation Through the Human Dimension. With 40 participants representing 18 European jurisdictions, as well as delegates from South Korea, the workshop offered opportunities to exchange knowledge and develop strategies to manage the increasing caseload and workload in probation. Designed as an interactive space, it provided participants – practitioners, managers, researchers and experts – with reflections on current pressures within probation services and it explored practical, evidence‑informed solutions from across Europe.
Recap
Caseload and workload
Recap: Expert group on Caseload and Workload
28/05/2026
On Tuesday 26 May 2026 CEP Expert Group on Caseload and Workload gathered in Bucharest, Romania, for its annual face-to-face meeting, held ahead of the Workshop on Caseload and Workload: Supporting Sustainable Probation Through the Human Dimension. Hosted by the National Probation Directorate, Ministry of Justice, Romania, the meeting was opened by the Deputy Director Diana Mustatea and CEP Secretary General Jana Špero Kamenjarin. They both stressed the importance and relevance of the topic in supporting effective and sustainable approaches to caseload and workload management, contributing to improved outcomes for both staff and service delivery.
Recap
Mental Health
Recap: Third CEP webinar on the new European Mental Health Curriculum
26/05/2026
On 21 May 2026, the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) hosted the webinar “The European Mental Health Curriculum for Probation Officers”, bringing together probation professionals, mental health experts, policymakers, and practitioners from across Europe to present an innovative training initiative aimed at strengthening mental health awareness and competencies within probation services.
New
Probation in Europe
New Vodcast Episode: Anke Spoorendonk on the Role of Probation in Justice Policy
21/05/2026
The 20th episode of Division_Y features Anke Spoorendonk, former State Minister of Justice in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, representing the Danish minority party SSW.
New
Mental Health
CEP publishes European Mental Health Training Curriculum for Probation Staff and launches Pilot Implementation Initiative
19/05/2026
In this article, you can explore the newly published European Mental Health Training Curriculum for Probation Officers, learn about the call for a national pilot implementation, and find details about the upcoming webinar on 21 May presenting the curriculum modules.
New
Mental Health
Mental Health Awareness Week: strengthening probation practice through mental health
13/05/2026
This week, during Mental Health Awareness Week, the Confederation of European Probation is highlighting the importance of mental health in probation practice across Europe.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
"*" indicates required fields
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.