Traineeships - Brussels Liaison Office

The European Institute for Gender Equality[1] (EIGE) announces 11-month traineeship opportunities with its Stakeholder Relations Team within the Outreach and Engagement Unit, for graduates who are either nationals of an EU Member State or an EFTA country or an IPA qualifying country.[2] The traineeship is based at the Agency's liaison office in Brussels.

The traineeship offers the opportunity to university graduates in communications, public relations, international studies, European studies, politics, social policy or similar, to gain experience in the work of the EU in general and in the work of EIGE in particular.

The registration of applications opens on 17 December 2025 and closes on 7 January 2026 at 13:30, Eastern European Time (EET).

Applicants shall note that the specific tasks assigned to them will be identified in the offer letter sent to the selected candidate. The tasks of the trainee might be further tailored after the start of the traineeship. The trainee may be required to assist in other areas of activity, depending on the needs of the service and his/her profile and experience. 

The selected trainee will have a traineeship supervisor for the entire period of the traineeship. The traineeships aim principally to:

• Provide on the job training experience in key areas of the Stakeholder Relations team within the Outreach and Engagement Unit;
• Extend and apply knowledge acquired in the course of studies or working life;
• Provide practical working knowledge of EU agencies and institutions;
• Enable trainees to acquire work experience in an EU agency context.

The Agency

Based in Vilnius, Lithuania, EIGE is a decentralised agency of the European Union (EU) entrusted with specific objectives envisaged to contribute and strengthen the promotion of gender equality.

To achieve its goals, the Agency collects and analyses comparable and reliable information at EU level and develops appropriate methodological tools for the integration of gender equality into all EU policies. It fosters the exchange of good practices and dialogue between stakeholders and raises EU citizen awareness of this policy area by providing technical assistance to EU institutions, in particular the European Commission, as well as the authorities of the Member States.

In the course of its work to promote and strengthen gender equality, EIGE supports policymakers with high quality research and comparable data relevant to their work.  

The Agency is an equal opportunity employer.

Traineeship description

Reporting to an assigned supervisor, the trainee provides assistance and support to the smooth functioning of the Stakeholder Relations team’s work by supporting the agency’s inter-institutional relations and stakeholder cooperation, keeping abreast of EU policies relevant for EIGE’s work and monitoring developments that might affect gender equality in the future.

The Brussels liaison office functions to facilitate timely input to relevant policies within the European Institutions and Member State representations, and to develop EIGE’s cooperation with partners from EU institutions, Permanent Representations, civil society, social partners and beyond.

Selected trainees can expect to carry out a variety of tasks from the following list:

• Support in organising EIGE’s stakeholder events, visits and meetings (e.g. Director missions to Brussels, meetings with Brussels-based stakeholders);
• Monitor EU policy-making and prepare regular reports for the Agency;
• Draft briefing notes, speaking points and background papers for EIGE’s management and Brussels liaison officer;
• Assist with the successful organisation of the bi-annual Gender Equality Forum;
• Support the implementation of EIGE’s focus topics in 2026 (care, tackling gender-based violence…) and beyond;
• Support effective exchange between Brussels Liaison Office and Vilnius-based colleagues;
• Perform other tasks assigned by the supervisor or Head of Unit.

The traineeships are open to applicants who have not previously undertaken a traineeship in another EU institution or body, who have a recognised university degree evidencing completion of a full cycle of studies[3] and some initial experience either in issues related to gender equality obtained either through specialisation as part of the applicant’s studies for a university degree, or a dissertation or other research project conducted via a previous traineeship or otherwise through relevant professional experience.

Applicants must have fluent English, both spoken and written as well as computer skills applicable to a Windows environment.

Application procedure

There are two stages:

Stage 1 - Online registration

Candidates must submit their application electronically using EIGE’s application form. Applications must reach eige.hr@eige.europa.eu by not later than 13:30 Eastern European Time (EET), on 7 January 2026 and the subject title should include the name of the candidate and the reference number of the traineeship.

Candidates are requested to send their completed application in English, the working language of the Agency. All parts of the application form must be completed in full. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Stage 2 - Supplementary documentation (applicable only to candidates selected to start a traineeship)

Should a candidate be selected to start a traineeship, in order for the application to be considered complete, the candidate must provide copies of all the supporting documents - e.g. proof of nationality, diplomas, academic qualifications, employment certificates as applicable, insurance policy for sickness and accident during the period of the traineeship, medical certificate indicating work fitness, etc. - needed to prove that they satisfy all admission conditions.

Candidates must be prepared to submit proof of their qualifications upon request. All documentary evidence of any professional experience must indicate start and end dates for previous positions and the start date and continuity for the current position held.

Candidates will be eliminated if:

• their application is received after 13:30, EET on 7 January 2026.
• they do not use and duly complete the official application form provided by EIGE.
• they do not meet the general conditions described in section 2 above.

Eligible candidates shall be selected on the basis of their application.

A selection panel shall oversee the assessment of eligible applications to shortlist those best matching the profile and qualifications required for the traineeship. It can also assess any administrative experience obtained by the applicants either as part of their studies for a university degree or through professional experience. The shortlisted candidates can then be invited to an interview.

The work of the selection panel is confidential. Candidates shall not make direct or indirect contact with the selection panel or have anybody do so on their behalf. The Appointing Authority reserves the right to disqualify any candidate who disregards this instruction.

The Agency regrets that, due to the large volume of applications it receives only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

All inquiries for information should be sent by e-mail to eige.hr@eige.europa.eu quoting the reference of the traineeship.

Engagement and conditions

While the Agency headquarters are based in Vilnius, the traineeships connected to this call for applications operate from its computerised office space based in Brussels. Working time includes office-based working and telework.

The trainee shall work in a multicultural environment where social dialogue is considered very important. EIGE applies a participatory approach to its work and encourages an open dialogue between management and staff. Colleagues work closely together as much of the work is organised around cross-unit project teams. EIGE is committed to the principle of zero tolerance for harassment at work.

Engagement for a traineeship will be decided by the Agency’s Director based on a reserve list of candidates proposed by a selection committee. Candidates should note that inclusion on the reserve list does not guarantee selection. The established reserve list may be used for other similar traineeships depending on the Agency's needs and will be valid until the 31 December following the year of engagement.

The traineeship is supported by a monthly grant equivalent to 1,538.16 EUR. While a travel allowance will be provided (subject to conditions), trainees will have to make their own health insurance arrangements. Applicants are advised to read Director’s Decision No. 0365/2025 since it contains other relevant information.

The chosen candidate/s will be required to enter into a commitment to act independently in the public interest and to make complete declarations of any direct or indirect interests that might be considered prejudicial to his/her independence. Candidates must confirm their willingness to do so in their application.

Appeals

Applicants can submit an appeal to the European Ombudsman at the following address or directly on Ombudsman’s website.

However, before submitting a complaint to the European Ombudsman, applicants must already have contacted EIGE about the matter and used all the internal administrative options for review.

Protection of personal data

The purpose of processing of the data submitted by candidates is to manage each application in view of a possible pre-selection and recruitment as a trainee at the Agency. Unsuccessful application files are kept for two years following the closure of the selection procedure, after which time they are destroyed.

The personal information requested from applicants will be processed as required by Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October December 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data. This applies in particular to the confidentiality and security of such data.

Equal opportunities

The Agency applies a policy of equal opportunities in line with the formal requirements noted above.

Applications are accepted without distinction on any grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language religion or belief, political (or any other) opinion, gender identity, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation.

EIGE is committed to promote diversity and inclusion in its working environment and organisational culture. This includes Reasonable Accommodation for applicants with a disability[4].

Appeal procedures

If a candidate considers that s/he has been adversely affected by a particular decision, s/he can lodge a complaint under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union and Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union, by writing to The Director, European Institute for Gender Equality, Gedimino Prospektas 16, Vilnius, Lithuania LT01103.

The complaint must be lodged within three months. The time limit for initiating this type of procedure (see Staff Regulations as modified by Council Regulation No 723/2004 of 22nd March 2004 published in the Official Journal of the European Union L 124 of 27th April 2004 ) starts to run from the time the candidate is notified of the act adversely affecting her/him.

Pursuant to Article 195(1) of the Treaty establishing the European Community and in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Decision of the European Parliament of 9 March 1994 on the Staff Regulations and the general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties, published in Official Journal of the European Union L 113 of 4 May 1994, it is also possible to write to: The European Ombudsman, 1 Avenue du Président Robert Schuman, CS 30403 67001 Strasbourg Cedex, France.

Further details on appeals.

Protection of personal data

As the body responsible for organising the competition, the EIGE ensures that applicants’ personal data are processed as required by Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data. This applies in particular to the confidentiality and security of such data.

Personal data shall thus be processed solely for the purpose of the selection procedure.

Belgium and life in Brussels

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and is considered the principal city of the European Union’s institutions. It's the most cosmopolitan city in Europe with almost 40% of its 1.2 million residents being foreign nationals. The two official languages are French and Dutch, but English is understood almost everywhere in the city.

Brussels has all the characteristics of a metropolis yet feels small and tranquil. It is rich in history, architecture, gastronomy and culture, with modern neighbourhoods that contrast with its renowned Art Deco buildings. At the heart of European politics, Brussels offers a fascinating glimpse into international diplomacy. Beyond politics, the city is a haven for food lovers, culture buffs and anyone curious to explore its quirkiness.

The city is easy to get around on a bike or public transport, and it offers a good standard of living and an excellent working environment. EIGE’s premises are situated in the Schuman quarter, with easy access to amenities, both leisure and educational.

Further information: Working and living in Brussels

 

[1] Established by the European Parliament and of the Council Regulation (EC) No 1922/2006 of 20 December 2006 (OJ L 403/9 of 30.12.2006).

[2] The countries that qualify are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey.

[3] For a list of minimum national diplomas see Annex 2 of Director’s Decision No 2025/0365 on EIGE’s traineeships.

[4] See EIGE’s Director’s decision 268/2022 on Reasonable Accommodation and the reference in the application form.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence