Visits and Seminars Unit - Post D: Coordination Sector

The ultimate objective of the Directorate-General for Communication (DG COMM) is to help build the reputation of the EU by showcasing its democratic legitimacy, embodied in the European Parliament. This entails providing complete and impartial information to citizens and media about the European Parliament, and assisting Members in their communication activities. We strive to reach the right audience with the right message at the right time and in doing so, deliver world-class communication.

We are committed communication professionals coming from various professional and academic backgrounds.

Visiting the European Parliament enables citizens to build a direct relationship with the European institutions and examine Europe from a European perspective. Citizens can visit in Brussels, where it is possible to visit the Hemicycle, Parlamentarium or House of European History, or in Strasbourg. Europa Experiences are bringing the visitor experience to citizens around Europe. The visiting facilities are aimed at many audiences, including families, young people and the educational sector. Different activities, such as the permanent exhibitions and role-play game cater to various interests, whether academic or curious. The European Parliament aims to offer an unrivaled visitor experience among parliaments. In total the visitor facilities serve over 1,250,000 visits a year. As part of DG COMM, these activities are run by the Directorate for Visitors.           

The Visits and Seminars Unit (VISSEM) of DG COMM connects citizens to European democracy and serves as a platform for lively discussions with Members and Parliament staff. As the European institution, which represents them directly, we aim to make our visitors aware that their voice counts.

The Visits and Seminars Unit:

• Strives to build human contact with the people of Europe, deepening their knowledge and understanding of the EU, and fostering their engagement in European politics;
• Welcomes visitors onsite and online to Parliament through tailored programmes, taking into account factors such as visitors’ interests, topical issues and the legislative cycle in order to engage in direct, two-way communication, giving the full picture of the European Parliament's democratic power and influence, and showing the “human face” of the Institution;
• Develops a range of activities catering for all types of visitors, whether youth groups, groups invited by Members, opinion multiplier groups and more, coming from the European Union and beyond.

• To provide general assistance to the coordination sector of the Visits and Seminars Unit, which welcomes around 350,000 visitors per year in Brussels and in Strasbourg;
• To contribute to projects under the DG COMM youth strategy and support the organisation of events with a focus on young audiences, such as the European Youth Seminars, Youth Talks and other special events (e.g. Sakharov Seminar) organised by the Unit;
• To contribute to the production and drafting of briefing materials, resources for speakers, FAQs and other and informative resources for the Unit;
• To participate in the development of new projects for the Unit such as the expansion of the offer for visitors, especially through integrating advanced digital technologies, and the modernisation of the visitors' areas;
• To develop the social media presence of the Unit, in the framework of the Directorate's social media strategy, including the production of texts, image and promotional videos / short films;
• To represent the Unit in the communication teams of the Directorate (e.g. internal communications, thematic communication working groups) and assist in the production of communication materials and helping in the organisation of horizontal activities;
• To give presentations about the European Parliament and its role in European politics to visitors groups;
• To perform general administrative work including research of documents, preparation of briefings and translation of official working documents, preparing visitors' surveys, etc.

• A University graduate with a background in International relations, European studies, public affairs, public relations, communication;
• You have a C2 (CEFR) level command of the English language, plus a strong knowledge of French or another EU official language;
• You want to deepen your professional experience in communication projects and public relations;
• You are looking for a stimulating and rewarding experience in a dynamic, multicultural environment.