The European Ombudsman offers a limited number of traineeships which are intended to enable the trainees to add to the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their studies by giving them practical experience.
The Ombudsman offers traineeships to university or higher education graduates with a keen interest in European Union public administration and, in particular, in how the EU administration relates to citizens
The traineeships have a duration of a duration of one year, subject to a positive assessment of the trainee’s performance.
There are normally two training periods: one starting on 1 September and the other on 1 January each year.
The place of work can be Brussels (Belgium) or Strasbourg (France).
The Ombudsman is offering traineeships in:
- i: Case handling
- ii: Media and communication.
Candidates applying for case handling and communication should have sound:
- understanding of the role of the European Ombudsman;
- understanding of the EU institutions;
- drafting skills in English;
- drafting skills in another official language of the European Union;
- analytical and research skills.
Responsibilities and tasks
Trainee in case handling will:
- Assist in the investigation of complaints against EU institutions and bodies concerning issues relevant to EU administration, including research and drafting of decisions and preparatory notes;
- Handling of “out-of-mandate” complaints;
- Monitor EU policy developments and carry out research relevant to the Ombudsman’s activities;
- Replying to citizens’ information requests;
- Participate in meetings with EU institutions and bodies and draft minutes of meetings;
- Provide practical support in meetings and other events organised by the Office.
Trainee in media and communication will:
- Assist with communication-related tasks with a focus on social media (mainly LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter) and online communication tools, including website management;
- Contribute to the implementation of the Unit’s strategy by proposing, producing and editing online and offline content;
- Assist in other communication activities, such as events, briefings, and publications;
- Carrying out research relevant to the work of the Ombudsman for speeches and briefings;
- Draft minutes of meetings.
Monthly grant
Trainees receive a monthly grant during the traineeship period (trainees who receive a salary or other financial support of a similar nature during the period of the traineeship, should declare it).
The amount of a monthly grant is equivalent to 25% of the basic salary of staff in grade AD 6 step 1 applicable at the time the offer is made, plus the household allowance, where appropriate.
If an applicant with a disability is selected, the Ombudsman’s Office will make appropriations available to cover additional costs related directly to the condition of the selected trainee and which are insufficiently covered by the monthly grant.
Trainees are selected on an individual basis.
Eligible applicants
The applicant should normally:
– be a national from an EU Member State, or of an accession/candidate country;
– have a university degree or diploma of at least three years (or an equivalent qualification) in one of the following disciplines: law; political science; European studies; European public administration; international affairs/relations; economics, audit and statistics; human resources; media and communication; computer science or web development;
– should not have benefited, for more than eight consecutive weeks or two full months, from a previous paid traineeship or work contract in a European institution, body, agency, office, service, delegation, representation, including the office of a Member of the European Parliament or of a European political group;
– have a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the EU and a good knowledge of a second one;
– have a very good knowledge of English;
– candidates applying for case handling should have a degree or diploma of at least 3 years in law, political science, European studies, European public administration, international relations, audit and/or economics;
– candidates applying for media and communication should have a degree or diploma of at least 3 years in communication, journalism or media, with focus on online media and/or digital marketing;
– candidates applying for web development should have a degree or diploma of at least 3 years in software development and engineering.
Deadline: 31 March 2020, 23:59 GMT+2.
Starting date: 1 September 2020.
Find out more: https://bit.ly/2S5M4sh
