Fully Funded Traineeship at the European Commission for Graduates 2019

The European Commission is offering a 5-month paid Traineeship opportunity, including administrative or translation in Brussels or Luxemburg for 2019-2020. Starting on 1 March or 1 October each year, trainees gain hands-on experience of EU policy-making in a multicultural environment.

The trainee’s daily work:

1. Attending and organizing meetings, working groups, forums, public hearings.
2. Researching and compiling documentation, reports, consultations, answering queries.
3. Running projects.
4. You may, for example, work in the field of competition law, human resources, environmental policy, etc. The content of the job depends on the service you are assigned to.
5.  The Commission works a 40-hour week and an 8-hour day. The core hours when staff is required to be present are 09 : 30 - 12 : 00 and 15 : 00 - 16 : 30. Trainees are entitled to 2 days leave per month. The Commission is closed on main public holidays such as Christmas and Easter and these days are not counted as leave. Leave needs to be agreed beforehand with your advisor.

What is Expected of you:

1. Openness to European issues.
2. Interest in learning about Commission working methods.
3. Willingness to work in a multicultural environment.
4. Contribution to everyday work with a fresh point of view
5. Proactive attitude.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Subject to eligibility criteria, the traineeship is open to all EU citizens regardless of age. A limited number of places are also allocated to non-EU nationals.
2. Have a university degree or equivalent, of at least 3 years of study, corresponding to a complete cycle (Bachelor's).
3. Have a very good knowledge (C level as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) of two EU official languages, one of which must be a procedural language: English or French or German. For non-EU nationals, only one procedural language is required.
4. Have no prior work experience of any kind, in excess of 6 weeks in any EU institution, body or agency, EU delegations, with Members of Parliament (MEPs) or Advocates General at the EUCJ.
5. Please note that traineeships carried out in the framework of academic studies will not be taken into account.
6. International profile (education/work/volunteering abroad, mobility, aptitude to work in an international atmosphere), if any. 
7. You will receive a job description covering the tasks you will be responsible for during your traineeship. You should receive this job description before you are asked to accept the traineeship offer.

Benefits and Funding:

1. As a trainee, you will receive a living allowance of 1.196 € per month. The 1st living allowance is paid at the end of the first month. From then on, you will receive it on the 15th of every month.
2. Visa costs and related medical fees may be reimbursed together with the travel expenditures, where applicable.
3. Although you are not required to open a bank account in the country where you are a trainee, it is recommended and may prove cheaper and more convenient.
4. The Commission does not provide accommodation. In Brussels, most trainees pay between 350 – 550 € per month. 
5. EU knowledge – insight into the processes and policies of the European Institutions
6. Practical experience – an opportunity to play a part in the Commission's day-to-day business
7. Opportunity to put academic theory into practice

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