Council of Europe
Traineeships
Deadline for application: 28 November 2015

Twice per year the Council of Europe welcomes young graduates into its organisation as trainees. The traineeships last from eight weeks to five months, and are not remunerated. Enrolment for the first traineeship session in 2016 is now open.


Equal opportunities
The Council of Europe encourages applications from any person who has the requisite qualifications, without distinction as to gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social background, skin colour, religion, convictions or sexual orientation. Specific measures may be taken to ensure equal opportunities for applicants with disabilities.

Who can apply?
In order to be eligible for a traineeship, you must meet the following criteria:
• Have the nationality of one of the Council of Europe member states.
• Have a bachelor's degree or equivalent (a diploma for the first cycle of higher education as defined in the Bologna Declaration).
• Have a desire to acquire practical experience and knowledge of the functioning and activities of the Council of Europe.
• Have a very good knowledge of one of the two Council of Europe official languages (English or French) together with good drafting ability. Good knowledge of the other official language is appreciated.

Responsibilities
The typical responsibilities given to trainees include:
• research work
• preparation of draft reports and studies for meetings of experts
• drafting of meeting reports
• assistance with work in hand
• committee organisation
• updating websites

Programme
The Council of Europe provides a comprehensive induction programme for trainees which enables them to find out about the structures, the activities and the international co-operation procedures followed by the Council of Europe, including the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights. Trainees may attend conferences held within the Organisation, sittings of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and meetings that may take place during their stay in Strasbourg.

Conditions
Trainees are not remunerated. They pay their own travel and accommodation expenses. The specific measures apply to candidates who provide a certificate or attestation issued by an officially recognised body or professional to confirm the type and degree of disability or disabilities.

In order to enable the largest number of applicants to benefit from an opportunity for a traineeship at the Council of Europe, nobody may undertake more than one traineeship in the Organisation, whatever form it may take.

How to apply
• Use the on-line application system, ensuring that you submit by the due date. No other applications can be accepted.
• You must have an e-mail address to set up an account.
• Application forms must be completed in French or English (only). You can complete the form over several different occasions and then submit it once finalised.

Completed traineeship applications must be submitted online by 28 November 2015 midnight (French time).