Interinstitutional Cooperation Unit - Post A

The Directorate-General for Parliamentary Democracy Partnerships (DG PART) is tasked with fostering cooperation with national parliaments as well as coordinating the efforts made by Parliament liaison offices and representations outside of the European Union with the objective to streamline actions aimed at promoting and upholding parliamentary democracy in Europe and beyond. 

Our Directorate is responsible for the relations between the European Parliament and the National Parliaments of EU Member States. Within the Directorate, the Institutional Cooperation Unit (ICU) is responsible for multilateral institutional cooperation with EU national parliaments through established high-level conferences and meetings, such as the Conference of Speakers of EU Parliaments (EUSC), the meetings of Secretaries-General of EU Parliaments (EUSG), COSAC (Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), and other high-level interparliamentary conferences.

The Unit also supports, in cooperation with the Directorate-General for External Policies (DG EXPO), interparliamentary meetings in the field of EU external action and multilateral assemblies, notably the Interparliamentary Conference for CFSP/CSDP and interparliamentary committee meetings (ICMs) in the areas of foreign affairs, security and defense.

ICU works closely with the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) on matters relating to national parliaments. It is also responsible for providing logistical and helpdesk services to representatives of national parliaments based in Brussels.

In concrete terms:

• We serve the President and the Secretary General in their contacts and meetings with National Parliaments;
• We serve and assist the European Parliament’s Delegation to the COSAC (Meeting of the EU Affairs Committees of the EU Member States and the European Parliament);
• We give advice on interparliamentary relations to the Vice-Presidents responsible for relations with national Parliaments, to the Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, to the Cabinets of the President and the Secretary General and to the colleagues who work in the political groups;
• We plan, coordinate and organise inter-parliamentary meetings at committee level, including inter-parliamentary committee meetings (ICMs) and contribute to the organisation of other interparliamentary meetings in the field of EU external action and multilateral assemblies, notably the Interparliamentary Conference for CFSP/CSDP;
• We coordinate or contribute to supporting the participation of Parliament’s representatives to established high-level conferences and meetings as well as other high-level interparliamentary conferences;
• We provide expertise and information on national Parliaments to different services in the European Parliament, notably to External Policies (DG EXPO) and to Research and Documentation (DG EPRS);
• We provide services to the representatives of the EU National Parliaments, who are hosted in Brussels by the European Parliament;
• We are a compact, multicultural and multilingual team of EP officials who like trainees and treat them well!

• Drafting briefing notes on the different aspects of inter-parliamentary cooperation between the European Parliament and national Parliaments;
• Following the parliamentary dimension of the Irish and Lithuanian presidencies;
• Assisting in all the stages -from event planning to reporting- of the organisation of Inter-parliamentary meetings and conferences in the areas of foreign affairs, security and defence;
• Drafting briefing notes for and reports on the participation of Parliament’s representatives to established high-level conferences and meetings as well as other high-level interparliamentary conferences;
• Monitoring meetings of the Constitutional Affairs Committee, and especially its reports, which may have consequences for national Parliaments or for the EP´s relations with them;
• Preparation of comparative studies and summaries from information stemming from national Parliaments;
• Organisation and follow-up of various bilateral meetings between Members and officials of the European Parliament and national Parliaments.

• Interested in politics, international relations, EU foreign and security policies, parliaments and parliamentary cooperation (Diplomas in international relations, law, EU studies, political science or similar are an advantage, but not mandatory);
• Willing to learn all about the modalities, the complexity and the possibilities of the European Parliament´s cooperation with national Parliaments;
• Equipped with excellent drafting and analytical skills, very good interpersonal and relational skills and very good knowledge of English. Knowledge of French or other European languages is an asset;
• Flexible and willing to take on a variety of tasks and integrate into a friendly, hard-working, multicultural team, which appreciates your fresh views and good questions;
• Already possessing an understanding of national politics or experience in a national Parliament/Chamber, be it campaigning, a traineeship, or involvement in political/civic organisations;
• You have obtained/will obtain a university degree (level 6 of EQF or higher) at least three months before the starting date of 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.