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 United States of America?

We offer:

Traineeships of up to 6 months within the following sections of the EU Delegation to the United States, starting in March 2025, subject to budget availability.

• Traineeship in the Administration Section (ADMIN):

The Administration section provides support services to the Delegation staff, building, and residences. It encompasses Human Resources, Accounting & Finance, Infrastructure, and Information Technology. It liaises with authorities in Europe and the United States on protocol and administrative matters related to EU officials. As a trainee in the Admin section, you will work on the following tasks:

Main tasks:

• Assist in procurement procedures, including market research, drafting documents, proofreading.
• Assist in information management, including file and record management.
• Assist with logistical organization of meetings, events and visits.
• Research and identify potential service providers.
• Assist with contractors, escorting, meetings etc.
• Order, receive and organize stationary and supplies.
• Attend internal and external meetings and draft minutes.
• General clerical duties for the Section.

• Traineeship in the Economic and Financial Affairs section (ECFIN):

Economics and Finance trainees focus on the monetary, fiscal, financial stability and labor policies of the U.S. by monitoring macroeconomic and financial services developments, assisting in the preparation of reports on specific economic and financial issues, and participating in outreach activities. As a trainee in the Economic and Financial Affairs section, you will work on the following tasks:

Main tasks:

• Monitoring financial service developments in the United States and contribute to thematic reports and presentations (e.g. crypto regulation, sanctions, digital finance, sustainable finance).
• Monitoring macroeconomic developments by focusing on monetary, fiscal and labor 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, financial services and writing summaries for the section.
• Assisting with the organization of the EU-U.S. financial regulatory forum and ECFIN outreach events and activities related to economic issues.
• Preparing minutes of section meetings.

• Traineeship in the Foreign Policy Instruments Section (FPI):

The Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) supports the public diplomacy and outreach efforts of the EU's diplomatic mission in the U.S. FPI's various projects involve beneficiaries and partners ranging from think tanks to non-profit organizations and educational institutions. The primary work of FPI is the contractual management and implementation of its projects, maintaining relationships with contracting partners and ensuring they continuously meet the goals and objectives of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. As a trainee in the FPI section, you will work on the following tasks:

Main tasks:

• Assisting with the initial drafting of material for FPI projects, including concept notes, briefings on FPI-related content, invitations for speakers at events, and more.
• Attending and organizing meetings and drafting minutes.
• Assisting in the review of financial and narrative reports from beneficiaries/contractors to ensure contractual compliance.
• Support with the organization of FPI events.
• Assist with general administrative tasks.

• 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 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 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 Head of Delegation section (HOD):

The Head of Delegation Section (HOD) supports the work of both the Ambassador and Deputy Ambassador in promoting positive relations with the United States.

The HOD team coordinates with all Sections across the Delegation to establish priorities for the Ambassador’s agenda, ensure briefing for all scheduled meetings and engagements, coordinate a high number of social and diplomatic functions at the EU residence (dinners, lunches, receptions and events), and plan several State Outreach visits per year to build relationships at the State level with elected officials, business leaders and civil society. The HOD team also works with the wider Delegation to ensure the Ambassador’s participation in all high-level visits from Headquarters, and prepares the monthly coordination meetings of EU Ambassadors and Deputy Ambassadors as well as a monthly briefing call with EU Consuls General serving as EU Local Chairs around the US. The HOD intern will primarily be tasked to assist on State Outreach planning and events hosted by the Ambassador at the official EU Residence. As a trainee in the HOD section, you will work on the following tasks:

Main tasks:

• State Outreach:
  • Conducting preliminary research to identify suitable meetings/events/partner in the destination State
  • Assisting with pre-trip planning calls with contacts in the destination State
  • Briefing assembly
  • Post-trip follow-up correspondence
• Support to Social Secretary for Events at EU Residence
• Ad Hoc special projects at request of Ambassador

• Traineeship in the Political section (POL):

The Political 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, as well as U.S. domestic policy and U.S. elections. The section maintains regular contact with a broad range of Washington-based NGOs, think tanks, and civil society organizations. As a trainee in the Political section, you will work on 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 outreach events and activities related to political, security and development issues.

• 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 the following tasks:

Main tasks:

• Assisting with the organization of outreach events.
• Supporting the section with digital content creation and analysis (website and social media).
• 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.
• Assisting with media monitoring and analysis and support for press events.
• Preparing minutes of meetings and assisting with drafting briefings.
• Answering general information requests.

• Traineeship in the Trade and Agriculture section including Digital Economy (TRADE):

The Trade and Agriculture section monitors trade and regulatory developments in the U.S., including agriculture, the digital economy, competition/anti-trust, industrial policy, 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.

• Traineeship in the EU Office in San Francisco (San Francisco):

The mission of EU Office in San Francisco, established in September 2022, is to promote EU digital policies and regulations, governance models and technologies and to strengthen cooperation with key public and private stakeholders in the West Coast tech ecosystem. The Office also plays a role in engaging with the network of digital contact points among EU Member States, providing insights about new trends and supporting a common knowledge base. The Office works closely with the 13 Consulates General of the EU Member States in San Francisco and with their network of business and tech industry leaders including start-ups, local (SF, Silicon Valley) and state (Sacramento) policy makers, relevant third countries, civil society, academia (including EU centres) and think tanks. The Office also aims to monitor trends in tech innovation including public and private support, new firms and emerging growth models, the broader political climate and how third countries operate in the Bay Area, while at the same time analysing the societal and political challenges resulting from technological disruptions, including a Silicon Valley perspective on how to address them. As a trainee in the San Francisco Office, you will work on the following tasks:  

Main tasks:

• Contribute to the analysis and reporting by the EU Office on technology and digital policy.
• Provide research assistance as needed in areas related to the EU Office priorities.
• Monitor U.S. policy and legislative developments related to technology, also at State level.
• Contribute to the mapping of the EU Office stakeholders.
• Assist in the organization of visits.
• Assist in outreach events including “From Brussels to the Bay” policy series.
• Support the EU Office with digital content creation and analysis (website and social media).
• Attend events organized by think tanks and trade associations and write reports.
• Attend meetings of the EU Office with Consuls General ("Team Europe").
• Prepare minutes of meetings and assisting with drafting briefings.

We look for:

Qualifications or special requirements:

• Must have at least a Bachelor's Diploma and background in relevant disciplines (International Affairs, European Affairs, Political Science, Law, Communications, International Trade, Agriculture, Digital, Environment, Health, Science, Economics and other related policy areas).
• Excellent command of the English language.
• Be available full time, Monday through Friday.

How to apply?

Candidates must apply to the e-mail address [email protected]  and send the following documents:

• A detailed standard Europass curriculum vitae (CV) https://europa.eu/europass/en (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 - ADMIN, ECFIN, FPI, GIN, HOD, POL, PPD, TRADE, or SAN FRANCISCO (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. As an indication, 2024 monthly grants are published here. These amounts may be revised for traineeships starting in 2025. All costs related to travels, 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 candidates are not able to present the required documents, their application will be rejected.

The traineeships can only be offered in compliance with the local legislation as well as the legislation of the country of origin.

Citizens from EU Member states:

• must provide proof that they will be covered against the risk of a pandemic and the costs of repatriation;

must hold a relevant entrance visa and / or temporary residence permit where applicable,  based on the traineeship agreement, the duration of the traineeship, and in compliance with the local legislation.