A new traineeship programme

Following the phasing out of the Junior Experts in Delegation (JED) programme by the end of 2012, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (High Representative) and the European Commission (Commission) decided to establish a successor regime from 2013 to continue to attract highly qualified junior professionals from the EU Member States in the European Union Delegations (Delegations).

A Joint Decision  [478 KB]  of the Commission and the High Representative establishing a High Level Traineeship Programme in the Delegations of the European Union and theRules Governing this Programme in Partnership with the Member States of the European Union (EU) was adopted on 12.06.2012.

This Joint Decision has been further specified by a Decision of the Chief Operating Officer of the European External Action Service (EEAS) on the Implementing Rules of the High Level Traineeship Programme  [164 KB]     which was adopted on 22/01/2014.

Applicants are strongly invited to read carefully both decisions before applying to this traineeship programme.

An opportunity to deepen partnership with EU Member States in the field of training

This programme is an important contribution to the inter-institutional partnership between the EEAS and the Commission, as well as to the continuation of individual partnerships with each EU Member State in the field of training (the previous JED programme was created in 1984). The new scheme keeps the main strengths and spirit of its predecessor: it is based on a pre-selection of eligible candidates by the partner EU Member States and the preservation, where possible, of a quota of training places per EU Member State.

The authorities of each partner EU Member State have a key role to play in the management of the programme, such as the organisation of the pre-selection of candidates to be presented to the EEAS and the Commission pursuant to the rules established by the Joint Decision, or the possible sponsoring and financing of additional traineeship places.

A new opportunity to be trained from inside an Delegation in the post-Lisbon context

The purpose of this programme is to enable talented and promising junioruniversity post-graduates who hold at least a Masters Degree (see Diplomas Annex  [245 KB] ) from the EU Member States to gain first-hand experience in the work of Delegations and a deeper insight into their role in the implementation of EU external relations policies, including the Common Foreign Security Policy (CFSP).

In principle, Delegations accredited to third countries and to major international organisations are placed under the authority of the High Representative and represent the EU. Delegations act in close cooperation with the EU Member States” diplomatic and consular missions (Art. 221 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU). They shall support the EU Member States in their diplomatic relations and in their role of providing consular protection to EU citizens in third countries (according to Art. 35 of the Treaty on the EU). In most third countries (more than 125) Delegations have now responsibility for locally representing the EU towards the host state.  Where this is not the case, an EU Member State Embassy has agreed to represent the EU.

The programme is open to those trainees (JPD) showing a great interest and motivation for the mission entrusted to Delegations, sharing the values and principles of the European Union and committed to defend the latter and the place of the European Union in the World.

Staff in the Delegations shall comprise EEAS staff and, where appropriate for the implementation of the European Union budget and European Union policies other than those under the remit of the EEAS, Commission staff. The whole staff in a Delegation is placed under the authority of a Head of Delegation, Ambassador.

Junior Professionals in Delegation will similarly be deployed, depending the nature of their functions and tasks, in both the EEAS sections of the Delegations (for political, press and information functions) and in those under the authority of the Commission (aid management, trade, economic issues, etc.).

Financing of the programme

The traineeship placements are financed through 2 folders:

• an “EU folder” financed by the credits of the EEAS and of the Commission; the EEAS financing will only cover placements within sections or functions under its direct authority while the Commission credits will finance placements within sections or functions under its authority;
• a “bilateral folder” financed by voluntary financial contributions of partner EU Member States on the basis of bilateral sponsoring agreements with the EEAS and/or the Commission. Such contributions may finance placements within sections under the authority of the EEAS and/or the Commission.

Number of traineeship positions in 2014

The EEAS plans to commit in 2014 credits covering the expenses of 1 JPD/traineeship position per EU Member State (i.e. a total of 28 JPD) to be deployed in the Delegations for political, press and information functions. Here is the standard description of training assignments for EEAS functions  [11 KB] .

The Commission has also decided to finance 1 JPD/traineeship position per EU Member State to be deployed in the Delegations (i.e. a total of 28 JPD). Most positions will be located within operational sections “OPR” in charge of the management of external aid (e.g. institution & capacity building, economic development, energy & climate change, social sectors, governance, infrastructure, rural development, food security, etc. – Development and Cooperation DG – EuropeAid). Here is the standard description of training assignments for Commission operational functions  [15 KB] . Other positions may cover “Trade & Economic Affairs” (Trade DG), management of the “Instrument for Stability/Governance” (Service for Foreign Policy Instruments), “European integration” (Enlargement DG) and “Humanitarian aid” (Humanitarian Aid & Civil Protection DG). A standard description for those different training assignments is available when clicking on the name of the corresponding Commission DG.

Should the number of positions funded by the EEAS or the Commission be higher or lower than the number of EU Member States, an equivalent number of candidates will be selected amongst the best qualified, taking into account that a maximum of partner EU Member States should benefit from the positions available. The EEAS and the Commission apply an equal opportunity policy.

Applicants are strongly invited to take into consideration these indications before applying for Commission JPD/traineeship positions.

The partner EU Member States have been invited to communicate to the EEAS and the Commission whether they would in principle be interested to resume or initiate the financing of additional junior professionals through a “bilateral folder”, and to provide indications on the envisaged numbers, timelines and the list of thematic/geographic areas and/or Delegations.

What we offer

Under this programme selected candidates might be offered a single traineeshipagreement of a fixed-term of nine (9) months. A renewal of the agreement for another period of nine (9) months may be offered. Hence, eighteen (18) consecutive months maximum.

Trainees or “JPD” will get a monthly basic grant of 1,300 EUR, as well as a monthly accommodation contribution of 1,000 EUR to which a monthly hardship contribution will be added (see LCA table  [58 KB] ). Overall, trainees will receive a monthly package within a range of +/- 2,300 EUR to +/- 3,000 EUR, depending on the place of the traineeship. Further financial contributions are foreseen: 2,000 EUR installation contribution, 2,500 EUR contribution towards the cost of the journey and 500 EUR contribution towards the cost of the insurance premium.

Finally, credits will also be allocated to Delegations (not to trainees) to cover the mission and security expenses of the JPD.

How to apply

There are 2 parallel pre-selection processes: one for the EEAS and one for the Commission.

Applications have to be introduced solely according to the standard application form [92 KB] available on this website.

Applications shall be sent exclusively to relevant EU Member States” contact points  [347 KB] .

Any spontaneous application sent directly to the EEAS or to the Commission will be rejected.

The modalities for presenting applications to the respective national authorities are determined by the EU Member States and should in principle be made available on their relevant websites  [124 KB] and/or at the addresses of their contact points.

Insurances

Steps & Timelines for the 2014 selection round