Our team and mission
SLE-U is in charge of the relations with the EU and operates from the ESA Brussels Office – EBO with a team of six staff.At the moment the EU Commission’s proposal for the 2028-2035 budget (MFF) is under discussion and negotiation between the EU Parliament and the EU Council.Within ESA, SLE-U is coordinating the “syncronisation” of the ESA budget 2025 and then the future budget 2028 to match and complement as well as possible the future MFF and vice-versa.This effort demands internal interactions with programme directorates and an important number of interactions with the ESA counterparts in the EU institutions (Commission, Parliament and Council).Other Commission’s legislative proposals are under discussions and one, in particular, is very important for space programmes and for ESA: the Space Act. For this legislative proposal, ESA is carrying out an analysis that will be the baseline to influence the starting EU legislative process.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity for the internship
Topic of the internship: coordination between the ESA ministerial budget and the 2028 EU MFF
2026 will be a very interesting year in Brussels due to the EU interinstitutional negotiations for the 2028 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the legislative proposal of the Space Act. These two topics are of the utmost importance for ESA and SLE-U is in charge of the internal coordination to establish the best possible complementarity between the EU activities and responsibilities and the ESA programmes, competences and role.
SLE-U organises all the ESA relations and activities in Brussels to represent and promote the role of the Agency for the European space policy.
You will be asked to support the SLE-U activities both internally, towards the programme directorates, and externally, towards the EU institutions.You will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment with a large number of contacts within the Brussels’ “space bubble” learning how the EU legislative process really works.
Behavioural competencies
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Result Orientation
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Operational Efficiency
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Fostering Cooperation
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Relationship Management
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Continuous Improvement
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Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer toESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Education
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You must be a university student, preferably studying at master’s level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your University for the entire duration of the internship.
Additional requirements
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The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
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During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
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Studies in International Relations and/or EU relations are important assets.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at [email protected].
Important Information and Disclaimer
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.
Nationality
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
