Trainee for Social Affairs

Eurocities is recruiting a trainee to work on topics related to social affairs and employment, joining our team to cover both policy activities and project implementation for a period of 1 year (initially six months, renewable for an additional six months), starting in January 2027.

Eurocities is the network of major European cities, comprising more than 200 members, working across a wide range of thematic areas that reflect cities’ priorities.

Eurocities is a dynamic and international team where we trust in people, value constructive exchanges and collaborative work. We help people thrive in a friendly, open and healthy environment while promoting a work/life balance.

We are committed to diversity, inclusion, and innovation, making it an ideal place for young professionals to gain hands-on experience in an international context.

Responsibilities

As a trainee, you will play an important role in Eurocities’ daily work, with a focus on topics linked to social affairs. You will work with the Head of Social Affairs and other colleagues from the team, covering topics related to social inclusion and integration of vulnerable groups (homeless people, young people, elderly or children)- at the local level.

In this role, you will:

Monitor policy initiatives and developments at EU level on topics such as employment and skills, European Child Guarantee, housing and homelessness, intergenerational fairness and on relevant processes such as the European Pillar of Social Rights, European Semester and EU social funding
Provide logistical support to the Social Affairs team, including contributing to organising of Social Affairs Forum, training modules, and working groups meetings, both online and onsite
Pupport with research, gathering and analysing data and good practice examples on policy and projects in cities in areas related to social services
Analyse policy documents and draft briefing notes, as well as contribute to the writing of policy statements and reports
Provide project administrative support, drafting reports, tracking, and filing of documents update members’ database
Update Eurocities web pages and other communications-related tasks
Pive general support to the Social Affairs team

Profile

You are proactive and enthusiastic about flexibly delivering positive results. Eurocities will support you in developing your skills for entering the workplace. We have set out below some skills and experience that would help you get the most out of this traineeship.

You have:

A university degree, preferably linked to social affairs (sociology, law, political science, social science, anthropology, human rights, gender studies, social work)
Up to one year previous engagement in social affairs and inclusion, including in voluntary roles
Basic knowledge about social policies in the EU, the EU institutions and the role of local authorities
A keen interest in local social policies
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, other languages are an asset
Advanced writing skills
Excellent organisational skills
Problem-solving approach
Attention to detail
Good interpersonal skills for an international environment
Experience with Microsoft Teams
Digital awareness for online meetings

You are:

A dynamic team player
Able to work independently
Agile in a changing environment with the ability to juggle competing deadlines

We are looking for candidates who fulfil most of these criteria, but do not hesitate to apply if you think that you could be a good fit for the position.

We offer

A 1-year CIP traineeship contract (six months, renewable for another six months), starting in January 2027
A full-time position that will be carried out at the Eurocities office in Brussels
A remuneration of €1.200 per month
Meal vouchers
Reimbursement of public transport costs

Some other benefit examples are:

Training opportunities and access to online training
A dynamic international team
A pleasant working environment
Flexible working hours
Part-time teleworking

Eurocities promotes the importance of a work-life balance.

Important: Eurocities will provide you with a Belgian trainee contract (CIP “convention d’immersion professionnelle”). Due to the CIP requirements and conditions, the selected candidate will need to either live in Belgium or be willing to move to Belgium for the duration of the contract (candidates need to provide a Belgian address). More information on this type of contract may be found on: https://www.actiris.brussels/fr/citoyens/convention-d-immersion-professionnelle/

How to apply

Applicants are requested to send a letter of motivation explaining their suitability for the position, answering the following questions:

Tell us about an experience that has shaped the way you think about social affairs. Why was it significant, and how has it influenced your perspective?
If you joined the Eurocities Social Affairs team, what would you be most interested in learning about, and why?

Together with a CV, by midnight CET on 25 October 2026 to: Patricia de Wouters, People & Operations Director, at [email protected]

Please send the documents in PDF format and mention ‘CIP SAF’ in the subject line.

Interviews will be held in person (in Brussels) and online on 10, 12, and 16 November 2026.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. CVs and personal data of non-selected candidates are not shared with anyone outside Eurocities and will be deleted immediately after the recruitment process. For more information, read our privacy policy.

We are aware that you might use AI when applying for this position. It’s perfectly fine to use AI to brainstorm, structure your ideas or edit your language. Just please be aware that while AI is one of the tools we use in Eurocities, the main tool we need for the work here is our brains: This is a content-based position, and one that AI cannot do for you. Please keep this in mind during the process to avoid disappointment on both sides later in the process. We want to use this interview to get to know you and your ideas, not what ChatGPT thinks the best answers are.