Are you a young graduate interested in international relations? Are you curious to learn more about work of a diplomatic mission and how the EU Delegation represents EU interests and values in the United States of America?
We offer:
Traineeships of up to 6 months within the following sections of the EU Delegation to the United States of America, starting in September 2021.
Traineeship in the Political, Security and Development Section (PSD):
The Political, Security and Development section follows all aspects of the transatlantic agenda and closely monitors the work of Congress and the U.S. Administration on foreign, security, and development policy, counterterrorism and home affairs, and human rights. The section maintains regular contact with a broad range of Washington-based NGOs, think tanks, and civil society organizations and serves as liaison between the EU and international financial institutions based in Washington, D.C., for issues related to the development agenda. As a trainee in the Political, Security and Development section you will work on some of the following tasks:
Main tasks:
- Attending virtual U.S. Congressional hearings and writing summaries.
- Attending think tank events and writing summaries of topics covered.
- Researching and writing reports on foreign policy, security, and development cooperation issues for the section.
- Contributing to briefings on issues related to the section’s priorities.
- Assisting with the organization of PSD outreach events and activities related to political, security and development issues.
- Preparing minutes of section meetings.
Traineeship in the Press and Public Diplomacy Section (PPD):
The Press and Public Diplomacy section aims to highlight the work of the EU to various audiences in the U.S. As a horizontal section, PPD is the key coordinator of all the Delegation’s outreach activities. The section is also responsible for the Delegation’s media relations and communications strategy. In addition, the section manages education initiatives and is in charge of the EU’s cultural diplomacy in the U.S. As a trainee in the Press and Public Diplomacy section, you will work on some of the following tasks:
Main tasks:
- Assisting with the organization of outreach events (virtual or in-person if situation allows).
- Supporting the section with digital content creation and analysis (website and social media).
- Supporting the section with funding programs and contracts.
- Providing research assistance as needed in areas related to the section’s priorities.
- Attending events organized by think tanks and other organizations for reporting purposes.
- Preparing minutes of meetings and assisting with drafting briefings.
- Answering general information requests.
Traineeship in the Economic and Financial Affairs Section (ECFIN):
Economics and Finance trainees focus on the monetary, fiscal, and labour policies of the U.S. by monitoring macroeconomic developments, assisting in the preparation of reports on specific economic issues, and participating in outreach activities.
Main tasks
- Monitoring macroeconomic developments by focusing on monetary, fiscal and labour policies in the United States and writing reports.
- Attending virtual or in person U.S. Congressional hearings and public events at think tanks related to economic policy and writing summaries for the section.
- Assisting with the organization of ECFIN outreach events and activities related to economic issues.
- Preparing minutes of section meetings.
Traineeship in the Global Issues and Innovation Section (GIN):
The Global Issues and Innovation section monitors and analyses U.S. political, economic, and regulatory developments in the areas of transportation, energy and environment, research and innovation, space, food safety (which includes plant and animal health and animal welfare), public health, and consumer protection. As a trainee in the Global Issues and Innovation section you will work on some of the following tasks:
Main tasks
- Researching U.S. regulatory developments in the areas of transportation, climate, energy and environment, research and innovation, space, food safety, public health, and consumer protection.
- Attending virtual U.S. Congressional hearings and other public events related to section policy areas and writing summaries for the section.
- Support the preparation of the Delegation’s outreach activities within the GIN section areas.
- Preparing minutes of section meetings.
Traineeship in the Trade and Agriculture Section:
The Trade and Agriculture section monitors trade and regulatory developments in the U.S., including agriculture, the digital economy, competition/anti-trust, and related economic areas, and advocates on behalf of the European Union in those areas. It works closely with the U.S. Administration, Congress, industry, and NGOs, as well as the national embassies representing the individual Member States of the EU. As a trainee in the Trade and Agriculture section you will work on some of the following tasks:
Main tasks:
- Reporting on developments in EU-U.S. trade relations.
- Monitoring U.S. policy and legislative developments related to trade and other policy areas covered by the section.
- Engaging in directed policy area research in close consultation with staff members.
- Attending events organized by think tanks and trade associations and writing reports for the section.
- Attending meetings of the Delegation with Member State Embassies.
- Monitoring U.S. Congressional hearings.
- Preparing minutes of section meetings.
We look for:
Qualifications or special requirements:
- At least a Bachelor’s Diploma and background in relevant disciplines (International Affairs, European Affairs, Political Science, Law, International Trade, Agriculture, Communications, Environment, Health, Science, Economics and other related policy areas).
- Excellent command of the English language.
- Available full-time for at least 37.5 hours per week.
How to apply?
Candidates must apply to the e-mail address Delegation-USA-Internships@eeas.europa.eu and send the following documents:
- A detailed standard Europass curriculum vitae (CV)
- (CVs in other format will not be considered)
- a cover letter describing why you want to participate in a EU traineeship
- and an application form
Please mention in the subject of your e-mail: Funded Traineeship – Name/Acronym of the Section
(you may only apply to 1 traineeship per delegation, however based on your profile, the delegation could offer you a traineeship in another section).
Important information to read before applying
Before applying you are requested to examine the dedicated website as well as the general eligibility criteria for a paid traineeship (Article 8 of the Decision ADMIN(2017)28 – Paid traineeship)
Each selected trainee will receive a monthly grant to cover living expenses. All costs related to travel inside the country of residence, visa, insurance, accommodation must be borne by the trainee.
Applications from non-eligible candidates will not be considered. After the evaluation of all applications, shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for an interview. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified by email. In case the selected candidate is not able to present the required documents, his/her candidacy will be rejected.
Non-resident candidates must provide proof that they will be covered against the risk of a pandemic and the costs of repatriation.
The traineeships can only be offered in compliance with the local legislation as well as the legislation of the country of origin. In assessing the applications received, account will need to be taken of the COVID-19 situation and its possible effects on access possibilities to the country of assignment and thus candidates currently residing in country of assignment might be preferred.
The Delegation informs that even if our Headquarters confirm the eligibility of the selected candidate, traineeships could be postponed, suspended or even cancelled considering the very evolving context of the COVID-19 outbreak in the host country as well as in the country of origin. The same rule apply if a selected candidate is unable to reach the country of assignment.