Technology Industries of Finland (TIF) is looking for an EU Affairs Trainee to join our Brussels Office for a paid 12-month traineeship starting in January 2027.
EU advocacy is one of TIF’s strategic priorities. As our EU Affairs Trainee, you will work alongside our Head of EU Affairs and Senior Advisor in Brussels and become directly involved in supporting the interests of Finland’s technology industries towards the EU institutions.
You will also be part of TIF’s wider Public Affairs team, which brings together EU advocacy and public affairs experts in Brussels and Finland. You will contribute to the planning and coordination of our advocacy and gain first-hand experience of how an industry association works to influence EU policymaking.
What you will do
Your tasks will be varied and will give you practical exposure to EU policymaking and advocacy. They will include:
Monitoring EU policy and legislative developments relevant to the technology industries
- Supporting the preparation and implementation of EU advocacy activities
- Preparing briefings, background materials and summaries for meetings and events
- Following discussions in the EU institutions and relevant stakeholder forums
- Supporting TIF’s engagement with European trade associations and other partners
- Helping organise meetings, stakeholder events and other Brussels activities
- Coordinating speakers, invitations, venues and other practical arrangements
- Supporting the Brussels Office and wider Public Affairs team as needed
During the traineeship, you will have the opportunity to learn directly from experienced EU public affairs professionals, participate in advocacy activities and build your own Brussels network.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for a motivated and curious colleague who is interested in EU policymaking and wants to develop a career in European affairs.
Ideally, you have:
- A higher education degree, or are close to completing one, in a relevant field such as political science, European studies, law, economics, social sciences or a related discipline
- A good basic understanding of the EU institutions and EU policymaking
- A strong interest in the technology sector and in policy areas such as competitiveness, sustainability, digitalisation and industrial policy
- The ability to learn quickly and turn complex information into clear and concise summaries
- Good organisational skills and the ability to manage several tasks simultaneously
- Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative, proactive approach
- Excellent written and spoken English
- The right to work in Belgium
Knowledge of Finnish, Swedish and/or French is an advantage, as is previous experience of organising meetings or events. We do not expect you to already be an EU affairs expert. What matters most is your motivation to learn, intellectual curiosity and willingness to take responsibility.
What we offer
We want the traineeship to be a genuine learning and professional development opportunity. You will receive:
- A paid 12-month traineeship with benefits (2.200€/month)
- Hands-on experience of EU advocacy in Brussels
- Exposure to EU institutions, European industry associations and policy stakeholders
- Opportunities for training, professional development and networking
- Support from experienced public affairs and EU advocacy colleagues
- An open, international and collaborative working environment
- A workplace that values both professional development and employee well-being
Ideally you would be able to start in the beginning of January, 2027. Interviews will take place during weeks 48 and 49.
If you are curious about how EU decisions are made, interested in the future of European industry and technology, and keen to gain hands-on experience of advocacy in Brussels, we would be very happy to hear from you. Please apply for the position by submitting your CV and cover letter (max. one page) via the link by November 20, 2026.
The technology industry is Finland’s largest export and most significant business sector. Technology Industries of Finland (TIF) represents Finnish technology industries and counts over 1,800 member companies, ranging from SMEs and start-ups to world leading MNEs. The technology industry comprises five main sectors: electronics and electrotechnical industry, mechanical engineering and metal products, metals refining, design and consulting and information technology. Finnish technology companies are known for their strong climate handprint and leadership on critical digital technology in Europe. Our industries’ high-quality products, digital innovation, and environmental expertise are a major export asset for Finland and underpin our ambition to be a leader in global climate tech. Read more about our EU advocacy aims here: https://teknologiateollisuus.fi/en/our-goals/eu-affairs/ Technology industry operations constitute over 50 % of all Finnish exports and accounting for 70 % of all private RDI investments. We employs ca. 120 experts in Helsinki.