EEAS Vacancy: Funded traineeships for young graduates at the EU Delegation to the International Organisations in Vienna - Multiple sections

Are you a young graduate interested in international relations? Are you curious to learn more about work of a diplomatic mission and how the EU Delegation represents EU interests and values in International Organisations in Vienna?

We offer:

Traineeships of up to 6 months in 2026 within the following sections of the EU Delegation to the International Organisations in Vienna, subject to availability of the budget. The tentative start date is March 2026, 2nd quarter 2026, 24 August 2026 or second semester 2026.

• Traineeship in the UN section (UN):

The UN section assists the Head of Delegation in his functions as Ambassador of the EU towards Vienna-based International Organisations. The section covers a dense multilateral agenda at the UNODC, UNIDO, UNOOSA and UNCITRAL inter alia, on drugs and crime, outer space, and industrial development. It prepares and coordinates EU statements and represents the EU at various UN meetings, conducts outreach to international organisations and third countries, and reports to the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission. The UN section is actively engaged in public diplomacy activities showcasing the benefits of EU-funded projects to third countries and international organisations.

Main tasks: 

• Assisting permanent staff in the preparation of meetings and other diplomatic activities.
• Assisting in the drafting of briefings, reports, statements and other documents.
• Participating and note-taking in meetings.
• Assisting in public diplomacy activities.

• Traineeship in the OSCE Section (OSCE):

The OSCE Section covers the Organization’s agenda across its three dimensions: politico-military, economic and environmental, and human rights and fundamental freedoms. It addresses transnational threats such as cybercrime, terrorism, and conflict situations such as Russia's war against Ukraine and protracted conflicts, economic and environmental aspects related to security, as well as human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Section ensures EU coordination and ensures EU participation in all OSCE meetings and events, engages with third countries, prepares EU statements and messages for numerous meetings, and prepares reports/briefings for the EEAS and EU institutions. It also conducts public diplomacy to highlight EU achievements and supports the EU Permanent Representative in her role as EU Ambassador to the OSCE.

Main tasks: 

• Monitor developments in the 3 OSCE dimensions: politico-military, economic and environmental, and human dimension.
• Assist permanent staff in the coverage of a large variety of regional and thematic dossiers.
• Assist permanent staff in the preparation of EU coordination and outreach activities.
• Help in drafting EU statements.
• Take notes and draft reports in a variety of meetings and consultations.
• Engage in background research on EU and OSCE related topics.
• Assist in the organization of public diplomacy activities.

• Traineeship in the Nuclear and Non-Proliferation section (NNP):

The Nuclear and Non- Proliferation (NNP) section covers a dense multilateral agenda on nuclear and non-proliferation issues. This includes all activities of the IAEA, be it Ukraine, Iran, DPRK, Syria, or nuclear safety, security, safeguards, as well as technical. 

The section covers meetings related to the CTBTO and export controls and also coordinates on the EU’s contribution to the NPT. The daily tasks of the section include chairing of EU coordination meetings, conducting outreach to international organisations and third countries, drafting EU statements, representing the EU in international fora, and preparing internal briefing notes as well as reports for the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission. The NP section is also actively engaged in public diplomacy efforts displaying tangible results of EU action in support of the rules-based multilateral system.

Main tasks: 

• Assisting permanent staff in the preparation of meetings and other diplomatic activities.
• Assisting in the drafting of briefings, reports, statements and other documents.
• Participating and note taking in meetings.
• Assisting in public diplomacy activities

• Traineeship in the Administrative section (ADMIN):

The Administrative (ADMIN) section deals with a range of administrative processes essential for the smooth running of the delegation and its sections. It performs the invisible and yet essential work behind the scenes.

These include tasks such as proper archiving of historically relevant documents, submitting financial payments, following up of the budget, as well as contacts with the MFA concerning protocol (VAT, diplomatic cards…) and procurement of services and products.

Main tasks: 

• Assisting with protocol tasks.
• Prepare/update internal guides.
• Coordination of logistical needs for meetings.
• Assisting in payment files.
• Assisting with archiving
• Filling in for ad-hoc requests.

We look for:

Qualifications or special requirements:

• A master's degree in a relevant discipline, e.g. International Politics, European Studies, International Relations, International Law, International Economics, etc. Candidates without a master's degree are NOT eligible to apply for these traineeships.
• For the ADMIN Section a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline will suffice.
• A demonstrated interest in the EU's external action and in international relations, with a particular focus on security, human rights, and in the UN framework.
• Experience in the drafting of policy documents, note taking and drafting of meeting reports. (not for the ADMIN section)
• Excellent English language skills.
• For the ADMIN section: B2 German language skills.
• Experience working for a related International Organisation or a diplomatic Mission in that context and ability to work in other OSCE languages, as well as the ability to work in other UN languages would be assets.
• Candidates must have less than one year of professional experience after their graduation by the signing of the Traineeship agreement.

How to apply?

Candidates must apply to the e-mail address Delegation-Vienna-Trainees@eeas.europa.eu and send the following documents:

• A detailed standard Europass curriculum vitae (CV) https://europa.eu/europass/en (CVs in other format will not be considered)
• a cover letter describing why you want to participate in a EU traineeship
• and an application form

Please mention in the subject of your e-mail: Funded Traineeship - Name/Acronym of the Section - emails without this subject line will not be considered (you may only apply to 1 traineeship per delegation, however based on your profile, the delegation could offer you a traineeship in another section).

Important information to read before applying

Before applying you are requested to examine the dedicated website as well as the general eligibility criteria for a paid traineeship (Article 8 of the Decision ADMIN(2017)28 – Paid traineeship).

Each selected trainee will receive a monthly grant to cover living expenses. All costs related to travels, visa, insurance, accommodation must be borne by the trainee. 

Applications from non-eligible candidates will not be considered. After the evaluation of all applications, shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for an interview. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified by email. In case the selected candidates are not able to present the required documents, their application will be rejected.

The traineeships can only be offered in compliance with the local legislation as well as the legislation of the country of origin. 

Selected candidates must provide proof that they will be covered against the risk of a pandemic and the costs of repatriation;