Twice a year the Council of Europe welcomes young graduates as trainees. It is a chance for them to gain valuable experience in a complex multi-cultural and stimulating work environment, and the Council of Europe benefits from the enthusiasm, motivation and skills they bring.

Traineeships last from eight weeks to five months.

 Tasks of trainees in DPAER (indicative list)

Under the authority of the Political Advisors, trainees in DPAER carry out the following specific activities, as relevant, with a concern for quality, efficiency and accuracy:

• Assistance to the Political Advisors in the weekly follow-up of political events in the member States and/or non-member states;
• Assistance to the Political Advisors in following and analysing relations between the Council of Europe and other international organisations - with a focus on the European Union, United Nations and OSCE.
• Follow-up of the sessions of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament and reporting back to Political Advisors;
• Follow-up of the meetings of the Committee of Ministers’ working group on external relations (GR-EXT);
• Preparation of the preliminary drafts of different types of documents;
• First-hand update of country grids and/or of briefs on relations with non-member states and/or on relations with other international organisations ;
• Research work at the request of Political Advisors;
• Assistance in the organisation of different types of activities (e.g. activities for confidence-building measures).

 Essential competences

• Background studies: political, social sciences, law, international law, international relations;
• Excellent awareness of the international political, economic, social and cultural context; organisational awareness;
• Very good writing and presentation skills, very good knowledge and command of one of the official languages (English or French) and good knowledge of the other. Knowledge of other languages of the member States of the Council of Europe is an asset;
• Possibility to express oneself, present and draft clearly, concisely and convincingly in English or French.