External Policies Unit

The European Parliament's Directorate-General for Parliamentary Research Services (DG EPRS) is the in-house research centre and think tank of the European Parliament (EP). We provide independent, on-demand research, analysis and information to Members and staff of the European Parliament and to parliamentary committees, on all EU policy areas, legislative files and issues. In addition, EPRS produces publications for a broader readership on a wide range of policy topics, including scrutiny and oversight of EU legislation in practice. 

 We comprise four directorates: the Members' Research Service, the Directorate for Impact Assessment and Foresight, the Directorate for the Library and Knowledge Services, and the Directorate for Resources. In addition, we have three 'horizontal units' - the Strategy and Innovation Unit, the Publications Management and Editorial Unit, and the Linking the Levels Unit - which collaborate with all four directorates. More than 300 staff work in the DG's 27 units and services.  

Why choose a traineeship at DG EPRS?   

'Empowering through knowledge' is the guiding principle of EPRS. As an EPRS trainee, you will be exposed to the core of the research and analysis process in the European Parliament. Surrounded by colleagues working on publications covering a wide range of EU policies, you will gain detailed knowledge of the EP's workings while honing your skills in your specific topic of interest. If you choose a traineeship in one of EPRS's library units, you will help the parliamentary community find the resources they need for their work.  You will also be part of a DG that brings the work of the EU's institutions closer to its citizens. From directly answering questions from EU citizens, to working on projects such as the interactive ‘What Europe Does for Me' website (where citizens can find out what the EU is doing for their region, or for their personal or professional interests) you will help the public learn how the EU impacts on their lives.  

More information about EPRS and a traineeship with us is available here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7mXXUZSq0g

https://epthinktank.eu/2021/05/31/apply-for-a-robert-schuman-traineeship-in-the-eprs/

The External Policies Unit forms part of the Members' Research Service in DG EPRS. It is a team of 21 colleagues, specialising in international affairs and foreign policy, areas which are covered by the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Development Committees and their sub-committees, as well as the EP's Interparliamentary Delegations. The EP has become one of the EU's leading foreign policy actors, and its statements regularly make international headlines. But how do Members of the EP keep up to date with issues as diverse as Russia's war on Ukraine, terrorism in the Middle East, EU development aid in sub-Saharan Africa, media freedom in Eastern Europe, humanitarian law questions, the rise of China or the technicalities of international trade? That is where we, in the Members' Research Service, come in, by providing Members with the objective information and expertise they need for their work. We do this by answering enquiries sent to us from the Members and publishing briefing documents that they can use as background materials in their debates. We also regularly organise events (including online) which bring together members of the parliament and experts from think tanks and academia to discuss the most pressing foreign policy issues of our times and to take stock of the EU's work in all areas of foreign affairs.

Working for us as an intern, you certainly won't be stuck with admin chores:  

• You'll be asked to take a full part in the work of the unit, though obviously you'll have all the mentoring and supervision you need;   

So, what will your daily tasks look like? 

• One of your main jobs will be to assist with research, for example by looking up and summarising sources and helping answer requests for members, but it's not just about assisting;      
• You are also encouraged to carry out research of your own, which will be published on the EP website and which will familiarise you with our in house editorial processes;  
• You can also help organise physical and virtual conferences and policy hubs, and you'll have the chance to participate in parliamentary committee meetings, as well as events in the EP itself and in Brussels-based think tanks;  
• All in all, it's a great opportunity to learn more about foreign policy issues, and the role played by the EP in them;  
• Plus, you'll meet plenty of interesting people from all kinds of different backgrounds, and make some useful contacts, while you explore the environment of the EU institutions in Brussels.

You have previous knowledge and/or experience of international affairs      

• For example, in the areas of EU foreign policy, trade, security and defence, development aid, geopolitics, enlargement, international public law - and you enjoy reading and learning;
• You need to be able to work autonomously, with excellent research and English drafting skills (other language skills are also highly appreciated);
• You also need to be comfortable working outside your comfort zone - wherever possible, we allocate work according to expertise, but the huge variety of issues means that we often have to deal with new and complex subjects;
• Flexibility and the willingness to work in a team are also important.      

If this is a challenge that appeals to you, why not apply for an internship with us?