Policy Department for External Relations - Post A: Security and Defence Policy

The Directorate-General for External Policies is made up of four directorates: Committees, Regions (covering interparliamentary delegations), Resources and Democracy Support. 

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 EEAS, and support for parliamentary democracy. Most of the work is done in Brussels.

The Policy Department of the Directorate-General for External Policies (PolDep EXPO) serves the European Parliament's president, committees, delegations and other bodies with research, analysis and policy advice on the EU's external policies.

Our unit of approximately ten staff serves as an embedded think tank within the Directorate-General for External Policies. We produce written analytical notes and briefings; coordinate research projects commissioned to external researchers; and organise workshops, roundtables, policy hubs and other events.

You will work closely with your supervisor on a thematic area – mainly security & defence, but possibly also other EU external policies, including trade, foreign policy, development or human rights, all of which are covered by our unit. Within your area, you will help monitor the latest developments and write contributions to the policy briefings and notes for which your supervisor is responsible. You may also be asked to provide input on and help assess externally commissioned studies.

Throughout your traineeship, you will have the opportunity to attend a wide range of meetings and events relating to your specific subject-area, producing notes for your supervisor as needed. You may also be asked to help with the organisation of events, such as workshops, roundtables or policy hubs.

You will work other trainees within our unit and the Directorate-General for External Policies. We organise dedicated info sessions on key skills on the European Parliament and EU foreign policy areas for our group of trainees.

We are looking for intellectually curious and motivated trainees, preferably with a Master’s degree and a proven interest in security & defence, and foreign policy generally. Knowledge of the CSDP, particularly CSDP missions and operations, as well as the EU’s defence industrial policy programmes is a plus.

You have strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to collect, critically assess and summarise relevant information and data.

A good communicator, you have excellent writing skills, particularly in English (French would be a plus). Knowledge of other languages would be a plus.

You are able to work independently, but also as part of a team, and to meet short and changing deadlines. Reliability and attention to detail are important, as well as willingness to learn and adapt to a challenging and different environment.

You have a proven interest in the subject-area for which you are applying and the specific skills required, demonstrated by your academic specialisation and/or work experience, internships or volunteering. Previous experience in a think tank, academia, journalism or in an NGO would be an asset. Knowledge of EU affairs would be an added asset.