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 Serbia, Belgrade?

We offer:

Traineeships of up to 6  months within the following sections of the EU Delegation to Serbia - monthly grant €1000 / net around €750 , starting in October and November  2025.

• 2 Traineeships in the Political Section (POL)

Starting dates: one in early October, another one in late November 2025.

The Political Section is responsible for following political relations between the EU and the Republic of Serbia.  It monitors elements related to political criteria of the accession negotiations, the area of rule of law, fundamental rights and follows Serbia's foreign policy. Its main interlocutors are government officials, members of the parliament, politicians, academic institutions/think tanks, civil society leaders, and foreign diplomats. The Section is headed by a Head of Section and consists of a team of seven people.

Main tasks: 

• Short translations and summaries of incoming mail for the political section;
• Researching and preparing necessary background material on various political, legal and rule of law related matters  and assisting in monitoring and reporting on Serbia’s progress in meeting criteria of the accession negotiations, particularly related to Chapters 23 and 24;
• Organising events and related logistics;
• Attending events, conferences, meetings, taking notes and reporting back;
• Drafting invitations, replies to letters, minutes and reports from meetings;
• Summarising official documents, articles, opinion polls, etc;
• Table and power point presentations on political and legal topics;
• Filling in for ad hoc and urgent requests;
• Compiling and contributing to briefings and reports;
• Creating contact lists, mailing lists and keeping them up to date.

We look for:

Qualifications or special requirements:

• University degree in political sciences, social studies or law;
• Fluent in English and Serbian both written and spoken (important to be able to have good understanding of topics in the local language);
• Good knowledge of the EU commitments and understanding of the political developments and the European integration process in Serbia;
• Good analytical skills and capacity to formulate these in a structured manner;
• Ability and willingness to work in an international environment;
• Ability to deliver good quality work output in tight deadlines;
• Computer literate with practical experience in Microsoft packages;

• Initiative, flexibility, good organisational skills and a team player is an advantage.

   

• Traineeship in the Operations 2 Section (OPS 2)

Starting date: in early October 2025

The Operations 2 section is responsible for the areas as Innovation and Research, Education and Employment, but as well the Public Administration Reform, Public Finance Management, Private Sector Development, Decentralization and local development. Work focuses on policy dialogue, monitoring of policy developments, identification and formulation of projects, management and monitoring of projects, coordination with national and international stakeholders, communication and public diplomacy, etc. The intern will support the work of the section and report to the Head of Section.

Main tasks: 

• Supporting work of the Operations 2 Section mainly in the areas of Innovation and Research, Education and Employment;
• Researching and compiling documentation, drafting reports and analysis, preparing briefings and answering queries related to the work of the Section;
• Follow the work of the Section on specific areas or projects (notably innovation and research support, biotechnology, private sector support in biotech, science and innovation, digitalization of services) as required;
• Organising, attending and reporting from relevant events (conferences, meetings, round tables).
• Provide support to Section colleagues with daily tasks. Contribute to the analysis of sector policies, laws and regulations;
• Contribute to outreach and communication activities.

We look for:

Qualifications or special requirements:

• Higher Education Degree, preferably in natural sciences, biology, engineering or related fields
• Good analytical capacity
• Ability to fluently communicate in English language both in written and spoken
• Previous experience in working in international organizations and/or project management is considered an asset
• Previous working experiences in one of the above sectorial areas is considered as an asset
• Good team player and communicator

• Traineeship in the Information, Communication and Press Unit (ICP)

Starting dates: one in early October, another one in late November 2025.

The Press and Information team is responsible for Communication, Information and Media sectors, visibility events or media reporting.  It supports and monitors work of three Europe Houses in Serbia: so far in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš.

Main tasks: 

• Contributing to the work of the Information, Communication and Media Section
• at the EU Delegation to Serbia and cooperation with the Europe Houses in Belgrade, Niš and Novi Sad;
• Contributing to organising events, and other communication activities, including preparing briefings, speeches and Press Releases as well as background documents;
• Analysing impact of conducted communication and media activities and preparing reports on them for dispatch to EU headquarters in Brussels under a press and information colleague supervision;
• Contributing to reports on media freedom;
• Liaising with EU-funded projects and assist in planning events and other communication activities as appropriate;
• Contribute to the social media networks of the EU Delegation;
• Media monitoring;
• Supporting the team in any other ad hoc and urgent requests for the section;
• The trainee may also be requested to contribute to the work of other sections of the EU Delegation. 

We look for:

Qualifications or special requirements:

• Minimum Bachelor degree, preferably in political science, journalism, marketing, EU affairs or law;
• Sound drafting and communication skills; experience in communication and media would be an advantage
• Fluency in English and Serbian language, both written and spoken; competencies in other EU languages would be assets
• Ability and willingness to work in an international environment;
• Ability to deliver good quality work output within tight deadlines; availability to work with flexible timeframe, adapted to the environment of media and communication;
• Computer literate with practical experience in Microsoft packages, as well as experience in social media;
• Initiative, flexibility, good organisational skills and a team player is an advantage. 

How to apply?

Candidates must apply to the e-mail address DELEGATION-SERBIA-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 (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. 

Citizens from EU Member states:

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

• must hold a relevant entrance visa and / or temporary residence permit where applicable, based on the traineeship agreement, the duration of the traineeship, and in compliance with the local legislation.