Policy Department for External Relations - Post D: Development and Human Rights

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.

Trainees usually travel once to observe a plenary session in Strasbourg.

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 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 two thematic areas – development and human rights – as well as, to a lesser extent, other EU external policies: trade, foreign policy and security & defence, all of which are covered by our unit. Within your area, you will help monitor the latest developments, carry out research, analyse data and write contributions to the policy briefings and notes, including formulating policy recommendations, for which your supervisor is responsible. While you will be assigned to the Policy Department, you will closely follow the work of the DEVE committee and DROI subcommittee.

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 with 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 with a Master’s degree and a proven interest in human rights, development cooperation, and foreign policy generally.

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

A good communicator, you have excellent writing skills, particularly in English. Knowledge of French or other languages would be a plus. Because excellent writing skills are essential in this post, you are expected to draft your application letter yourself. Your letter should be one page, and if you use generative AI tools to draft it, please state this clearly.

You are able to work independently, but also as part of a team, and to meet short and changing due dates. 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-areas for which you are applying and the specific skills required, demonstrated by your academic specialisation 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 useful.