Secretariat of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

The Directorate-General for Cohesion, Agriculture and Social Policies (DG CASP) enables parliamentary committees to carry out their legislative, scrutiny and budgetary functions effectively. Trust, integrity and excellence are the driving values of DG CASP. We are an inclusive and agile team, able to respond to the challenges facing Parliament as one of the EU co-legislators.

The core responsibility of DG CASP is to support the committees dealing with regional development, agriculture, rural development, fisheries, transport, tourism, employment, social affairs and housing crisis in the EU. The targeted service we deliver allows committees to better respond to EU priorities and contribute to policies designed to empower EU citizens in an increasingly volatile world. DG CASP provides committees with secretariats and reliable research analysis. Secretariats offer policy expertise, procedural assistance and the necessary technical tools for all committee activities, including legislative and non-legislative work, meetings, public hearings, workshops and missions.

The Secretariat of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI), within the Directorate-General for Cohesion, Agriculture and Social Policies (CASP), is responsible for the development of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), including the activities of the relevant financial instruments. The committee also has competence over quality policy for agricultural products, veterinary and plant health, animal feeding, animal husbandry and welfare, forestry and supplies of agricultural raw materials, as well as on Trade agreements.

The Secretariat provides the necessary administrative assistance to the Chair and all Members of the Committee. The main activities consist of providing Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) with written and oral assistance on ongoing files, organising the work of the committee (agenda, minutes, inter-institutional contact, etc.), carrying out procedural tasks in line with parliamentarian activities, preparing hearings and workshops, drafting briefing notes, organising missions and taking part in various working parties. We are a unit of approx. 20 colleagues, often working independently but within the context of a high team spirit. We are looking for a trainee to assist with the main tasks of the Secretariat.

• We offer the opportunity to integrate into a very dynamic, inclusive, supportive and motivated team, working in a challenging but interesting and highly political environment;
• The tasks to be performed are linked to the legislative process on the one hand, and the preparation of the new legislative period, on the other hand;
• The work also includes providing technical, legal and scientific support to the administrators responsible for a specific file;
• The trainee may also be invited to contribute to the preparation of, or participation in, various meetings at different levels (e.g. Comitology meetings, trilogues);
• The job provides some visibility, as it may entail interaction with other administrative services within the Parliament's Secretariat, MEPs and political groups.

• We seek a dynamic, highly motivated colleague with excellent interpersonal skills, a basic knowledge of (or at least a genuine interest in) agricultural policy in all its dimensions as well as agricultural-related topics;
• A natural science and/or agricultural, agronomic, veterinary background or experience would be an asset;
• In addition, very good critical thinking and judgement, as well as good drafting skills in English, and possibly French, are required;
• Other EU languages would constitute an asset.

The candidate should have:

• Very good analytical skills with an eye for detail that would allow them to grasp complex technical and legal issues, possibly from a political angle;
• The capacity to work autonomously and in a proactive manner;
• Very good organisational skills and a resilience to work under pressure and to adapt to variable/flexible pace and hours of work;
• Very good oral and written communication skills, in order to communicate efficiently with internal and external stakeholders;
• Fair knowledge of the EU legislative system and Institutions.

The candidate has obtained/will obtain a university degree (level 6 of EQF or higher) at least three months before the starting date of the traineeship.

A personal, creative and well-structured motivation letter will constitute a key element of the selection.

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.