Deadline: 27 February 2015
Open to: nationals of the Member States of the European Union and of candidate countries (limited positions are also available for non-Member States nationals)
Remuneration: €1,247 per month
Description
The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) is an agency of the European Union which focuses on managing research, gathering information, and communicating its findings. It is headquartered in Loughlinstown, County Dublin, Ireland. Trainees are engaged to work in different units of Eurofound. All trainees have supervisors who act as mentors, ensuring that the trainee is integrated into the team and assigning work that is suited to the trainee’s background.
Eurofound is offering a limited number of graduate traineeships during each year. The standard traineeship is for duration of 6 months which may be extended for up to a further 6 months, if mutually agreed and for strong business reasons. This Programme is addressed mainly to recent university graduates, without excluding those who – in the framework of lifelong learning – have recently obtained a university diploma and are at the beginning of a new professional career.
Trainees can work in the fields of research, information and communication and support services. There are three main units of Eurofound:
The Working Conditions and Industrial Relations (WCIR) unit is the biggest research unit at Eurofound and its projects cover mainly two topics working conditions and industrial relations. As a trainee you can be involved in the analysis of the relations between trade unions and employer associations on country and EU-level, but also in projects covering different aspects of working conditions in Europe. The unit carries out two Europe-wide surveys: the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) and the European Company Survey (ECS). The surveys’ data is used in a range of comparative studies such as the ‘trends in job quality’, ‘women, men and working conditions’ or ‘management practices and sustainable organisational performance’. The unit is also home of the EurWORK observatory, gathering and analysing Eurofound’s resources on working conditions and industrial relations. EurWORK is supported by a network of European correspondents across all EU Member States and Norway.
The Living Conditions and Quality of Life (LCQL) unit deals with the living conditions and quality of life of different groups in society, in terms of equality, inclusion and social cohesion. In doing so, the unit analyses trends, impacts and consequences for different population groups in light of economic conditions, demographic change and social diversity.
The Employment and Change (EMPC) unit mainly focuses on the themes of ‘employment’, ‘restructuring’ and ‘labour market trends.’ You can be involved with the two monitors: the European Restructuring Monitor (ERM) or the European Jobs Monitor (EJM) as well as assisting in research projects. These research projects cover a range of topics, the most recent focusing on: NEETs, age management policies and restructuring and organisational change in European industries.
Eligibility
Trainees are selected from nationals of the Member States of the European Union (28 Member States) and of candidate countries. However, a limited number of nationals of non-Member States may also be accepted according to available resources. Candidates must have completed the first cycle of a higher education course (university education) and obtained a full degree or its equivalent by the closing date for applications. In order for the trainee to fully profit from the traineeship and to be able to follow meetings and perform adequately:
- Candidates from Member States must have a very good knowledge of at least two EU languages, of which one should be English – the working language of Eurofound;
- Candidates from non-Member States must have a very good knowledge of English, as well as their mother tongue language.
In order to offer opportunities to as many people as possible, applications cannot be accepted from candidates who have already benefited from any kind of in-service training in a European institution or body, or who have been employed within a European institution or body. See more in the Rules governing Traineeships.
Remuneration
A training grant of €1,247 per month is awarded to the trainee. The grant is related to the one established by the European Commission for their own trainees. A travel allowance is available and equally a supplement for disabled stagiares.
Application
Only applications submitted through Eurofound’s on-line recruitment system will be considered. Attempts to submit applications after the closing date 27 February 2015 will be rejected automatically. No additional documents or justifications will be accepted after reception of the application. If recruited, candidates will be required to provide copies of diplomas (or of relevant official certificates), of all university or post university studies declared in their on-line application.
Any queries should be addressed to recruit@eurofound.europa.eu.
Check the official web-site.
