Who we are
The Directorate-General for External Policies (DG EXPO) 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 Unit 'Europe: Enlargement, Western Europe and Northern Cooperation' (internal abbreviation NEWE) serves as the secretariat of seven European Parliament delegations which maintain relations with the parliaments of the 'enlargement' countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey) and of the EEA/EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). The Unit is also responsible for EU relations with the United Kingdom, Switzerland and the EP's involvement in multilateral parliamentary forums of the North (Arctic, Nordic, Baltic, Barents). Five desk officers liaise with their counterparts in the partner parliaments to ensure the smooth organisation of all delegation meetings that fall within the remit of the Unit.
Want to find out more about what being a trainee in DG EXPO is like? Check out our DG EXPO podcast for trainees, by trainees: CLICK HERE
Your tasks
You will be involved in following and reviewing developments in the EU’s bilateral relations with the countries and/or regions covered by the unit, as well as in the research for and drafting of tailor-made briefings, reports, minutes and notes for different clients within the European Parliament (mainly Delegations that fall within the remit of the unit, but also DG EXPO Committees and the Cabinet of the President) with a focus on Serbia and Montenegro.
Physical or online attendance of and reporting on internal EP meetings (in both Brussels and Strasbourg) or other meetings or conferences outside the EP that are relevant to the work of the unit will be a recurring task.
Your traineeship will also involve work related to the organisational / logistical modalities for the smooth running of (physical and hybrid) meetings of delegations.
You are
As an applicant for a traineeship in the NEWE unit, you have fundamental credentials (education, previous professional experience, linguistic skills...) that are solid and relevant for the specific tasks to be performed during your traineeship, which will have a heavy focus on Serbia, Montenegro and the Western Balkans region. Previous demonstrable working experience in the region or on the topic of enlargement can be considered an asset but is not a precondition.
Your successful integration in the unit requires that you have strong communication skills, that you are sufficiently flexible to manage urgent requests and at times challenging deadlines, that you can effectively combine a keen interest in enlargement issues with an objective, fact-based approach to your tasks and that you possess a highly developed sense of responsibility, discretion and diplomacy given the confidential nature of some of the tasks. Very good knowledge of and sound drafting skills in English are of key importance. Sound knowledge of other EU working languages will be welcomed.
An important element of your application dossier is your personal motivation letter, which provides you with a unique opportunity to convince us why you are the most suitable candidate for the traineeship.
The European Parliament is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We welcome all candidates, regardless of their geographical, racial or ethnic origin, political or religious beliefs, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, civil status, or family situation.
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