Internship Opportunity

An opportunity to gain experience in the fields of EU government relations and communication, working on client projects and programmes in a hands-on way in a busy office environment.

Only for a "self-starter" type of person able to think for themselves and work independently in a team environment. An education or background in the workings of the EU is essential. You need to be great on details, have good organisational skills and be stress-resilient.

About Eamonn Bates Europe

An independent public affairs consultancy based in Brussels, the firm has 30 years of experience in providing EU public affairs and government relations services to organisations in both the private and the public sectors.

Our professional, multinational team works towards a single goal: effective, innovative services that deliver results for our clients. Our services include:

• EU/national policy and regulatory intelligence and monitoring
• Impact analysis
• Issue management strategies, plans and programmes (internal and external)
• Communication strategies, plans and programmes (internal and external)
• Design and implementation of advocacy campaigns
• Association management
• Event organization

We have extensive experience in various EU policy areas, notably environment and energy policy, industrial regulation, food safety, occupational health, consumer protection and intellectual property rights. Over the years we have worked with companies, industry and trade associations, NGOs, and national governments.

Description

We offer a 6-month paid internship under the Belgian "Convention d'immersion professionelle" with a competitive salary package. The internship will be based in Brussels and it will start in April 2025.

We are a small multicultural and lively team working in a cooperative environment, where you will be able to develop your skills and work on very topical issues like sustainability; circular economy; waste management, recycling and litter prevention; packaging and food; energy & climate; forestry, pulp and paper; and others.

Tasks and responsibilities may include any or all of the following, at different moments:

• Ad-hoc support to client assignments/projects
• Logistical support for meetings and events
• Research/Monitoring EU and national policy development (institutional & media)
• Market research & membership recruitment
• Development of new business opportunities
• Content creation for internal and external communications
• Work in support of social network accounts
• Active participation in networking
• Tasks to support to outreach campaigns
• General admin support tasks

Your profile

We are looking for "self-starter" type people who can solve problems and work independently but always as team players. To be successful in our environment you must be able to think for yourself, come with ideas on how a question can be answered or a problem solved. Guidance will come in return.

An analytical brain is a must. Our clients pay us, in part, to "think for them"; so, if you can't think, then consultancy is not for you.

You need to know about the EU and its policies and legislative system. A university/masters education in European affairs/studies, EU law, political science, or related fields can be very helpful. A technical, science or specialist background with REAL knowledge/experience of the workings of the EU may be even better.

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential. You must be able to write and speak in a clear and coherent, accurate and concise manner. Short and simple is always better than long and convoluted. We're talking more Financial Times than William Shakespeare. We'll test you to find out.

In the Brussels Bubble, ability in other languages is an obvious asset.

The "devil" is in the detail of policy and regulation. To be effective in the government relations field, you must be detail oriented and then able to communicate about key details in a carefully focused, precise and accurate way. If you are an "approximate" kind of person, we probably won't be a "fit".

Previous direct exposure to - or employment in - the EU institutions (notably Commission and Parliament) or other EU body is a real advantage but not essential if you really know how the EU works.

Education/previous experience/interest in the following is appreciated and of interest to us:

• Packaging
• Circular economy, waste management, recycling
• Litter prevention and behaviour change
• Industry and trade policy
• Forestry, pulp and paper
• Plastics
• Food
• Toxicology

And finally, it will help if you have a good sense of humour and like dogs, as we have two that often turn up for work.

How to apply?

Send ASAP and no later than 11 April your up-to-date CV and a motivation letter (maximum two pages for each one) to . In the subject line of your email please indicate " Recruitment Internship application + your full name".