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), supports the work on 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 trade agreements.

The Secretariat provides the necessary administrative assistance to the Chair and all members of the Committee. The main activities consist of providing MEPs with written and oral assistance on files, organising the work of the Committee (agenda, minutes, interinstitutional contacts, etc.), carrying out procedural tasks in line with parliamentary activities, preparing hearings and workshops, drafting briefing notes, organising missions and taking part in various working parties.

We are a unit of approximately 20 colleagues, often working independently but within the context of a strong team spirit. We are looking for a trainee to assist with the main tasks of the Secretariat.

• We offer the opportunity to join 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;
• The work also includes providing technical, legal and scientific support to the administrators responsible for specific files;
• The trainee may also be invited to contribute to the preparation of, or participate in, various meetings at different levels (e.g. comitology meetings);
• 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, agronomy, the veterinary field and all other relevant areas. A background or experience in natural sciences and/or agriculture, agronomy or veterinary science 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 languages would constitute an asset.

The candidate should have:

• Obtained/will obtain a university degree (level 6 of EQF or higher) at least three months before the starting date of the traineeship;
• Very good analytical skills, with an eye for detail, allowing him/her to grasp complex technical and legal issues;
• A very good sense of initiative and the ability to autonomously seek out information and background material;
• Very good organisational skills and resilience to work under pressure and to adapt to a variable and flexible pace and working hours;
• Very good oral and written communication skills, in order to communicate efficiently with internal and external stakeholders;
• A fair knowledge of the EU legislative system and institutions.

A personal, creative and well-structured motivation letter will constitute a key element of the selection process. Fully AI-generated letters, as well as impersonal or standardised letters, will be disregarded.

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.