Are you curious about international affairs and keen to understand how diplomacy works in practice? Do you enjoy communication, teamwork and learning by doing?
UK's diplomatic Missions would like to recruit several trainees for 6 months to join teams across the three diplomatic Missions in Brussels (UKMis, the British Embassy, and UKDEL NATO). Trainees support policy and administrative work (e.g. organising events, social media campaigns, and preparing briefing and reports), gaining experience of work in a diplomatic mission.
Who are we?
The UK diplomatic Missions in Brussels:
Together, our teams work on a wide range of political, economic, security, trade and policy priorities, supporting Ministers and shaping the UK’s international engagement. Our staff come from diverse backgrounds and departments, and we are proud to be an inclusive and supportive workplace.
Our daily work relies on the input of dedicated individuals who engage on many different topics and activities. We seek to employ a diverse range of candidates who bring their own talents and perspectives to the role. We have a strong corporate agenda that ensures we create a positive and inclusive working environment where everyone is valued for their contribution.
You might join one of the following teams:
British Embassy Brussels - You may work with teams such as:
UK Mission to the European Union - You could join policy‑focused teams working on the UK–EU relationship, including:
UK Delegation to NATO - Opportunities may also exist in teams supporting the UK’s work at NATO, including:
Roles and responsibilities:
Traineeships vary according to the team you are allocated to, but typical work involves:
What will you love about this opportunity:
Our Ideal Candidate shows:
Experience note:
Experience may come from volunteering, community involvement, student initiatives, lived experience or supporting/leading projects. Candidates should have no more than one prior professional internship, or less than one year of professional experience. Formal work experience is not essential. Experience in similar roles and/or completed university degree are not a requirement. We are not looking for a perfect candidate, we are looking for individuals with the right attitude because the relevant skills can be taught on the job.
We will support you throughout your time in the UK Missions with training, considering your future ambitions and aiming to provide relevant exposure to the areas that interest you.
Nice to have:
These are full-time professional immersion traineeships with a duration of 6 months, 36.25 hours net for 5 working days a week.
The professional immersion indemnity for this position is €1.500. Additional benefits including commute refund and luncheon vouchers of €8 per workday are also provided.
This traineeships provide a professional immersion outside of any educational programme. Therefore, no paperwork with a university or school can be signed.
Trainees have access to 1 day of paid annual leave and 1 day of unpaid leave per month of Traineeship.
Please note that Belgian nationals will be paid their salary gross and are expected to comply with their tax obligations through completion of a tax return to the Belgian authorities. Non-Belgian nationals will receive their salary net, minus the deduction of an equivalent level of Belgian tax retained at source. Further information on this will be given to candidates during the recruitment process.
Please be advised that the British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered an Traineeship offer.
Professional Immersion Traineeship Requirements:
Staff recruited locally by the British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Belgian employment law.
The successful candidates will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.
Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Belgium and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
Please be advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.
*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR.
Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.
This opportunity is closed to applications.