Transatlantic Relations and Global Governance Unit

The Directorate-General for External Policies is divided in four directorates: Committees, Regions (covering inter-parliamentary delegations), Democracy Support and Resources.

Staff of DG EXPO form a European team of advisers supporting the European Parliament's President and political bodies in their work on the EU's external policies. Colleagues in DG EXPO provide advice on matters of substance and procedure, liaise with other EU institutions and manage resources. The focus is on legislation, parliamentary oversight of the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS), and support for parliamentary democracy and parliamentary diplomacy. Most of the work takes place in Brussels. 

The Transatlantic Relations and Global Governance Unit (TAR Unit) is in charge of the European Parliament Delegations for relations with the United States of America (D-US) and with Canada (D-CA).

The TAR Unit organises the meetings of these delegations inside the EP, the Inter-Parliamentary Meetings (IPMs) with counterparts in the US Congress and the Parliament of Canada, and reciprocal visits by politicians and officials. The TAR Unit staffs the broader Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD), which aims at strengthening cooperation between EU and US legislators and also coordinates its activities at staff level, within the EP. In addition, the TAR Unit is responsible for following the work of the G7 and G20, especially their parliamentary dimensions. 

• Assisting the TAR Unit in its Secretariat functions for the preparation, organisation and logistics of D-US and D-CA meetings, Bureau visits and Inter-Parliamentary Meetings.
• Researching and assisting in drafting documents such as Chair notes, briefings, background documents and presentations.
• Participating in / following meetings on behalf of TAR colleagues, such as committee meetings, public hearings, think tank events and webinars and giving feedback (in writing or orally). 
• Background research on US and Canadian politics and policies, on officials of interest to the Delegations, and follow-up of US legislative processes on the issues of interest for the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue.
• Listing and following transatlantic-related events both in-house and organised by external stakeholders.

• Available for a fulltime traineeship meeting all the requirements;
• A university graduate, preferably also with Master's degree in international relations, law, business, economics, political or social science;
• Eager to learn about the EP, the EU's foreign policy and passionate about international relations, with a focus on North America;
• Proficient in English, including drafting; French would be an asset;
• Gifted at doing research, drafting and analysing texts and attentive to detail;
• Ready to commit to the necessary confidentiality and discretion;
• Proactive and flexible, able to think outside the box and provide fresh ideas;
• Motivated and able to work successfully both independently and in a team;
• Proficient user of Word, and PowerPoint.