Official Council of Europe traineeships

It is possible to undergo a traineeship with the Council of Europe, lasting from eight weeks to five months. Two official traineeship sessions are held each year.
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 may apply?
- Nationals of one of the Council of Europe member states or nationals of Belarus,
- holding a diploma for the first cycle of higher education within the meaning of the Bologna Declaration (bachelor’s degree or equivalent), wishing to acquire practical experience and knowledge of the functioning and activities of the Council of Europe.
- having 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.
Duties
- The duties which trainees are required to perform principally comprise:
- research work;
- preparation of draft reports and studies for meetings of experts;
- drafting of meeting reports;
- assistance with work in hand;
- committee organisation;
- updating the website.

No traineeship in translation or interpretation is offered.
-Programme
Introductory courses for trainees enable 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.
How to apply
Use the on-line system of candidature and submit the application by the due date. No application can be accepted other than on line.
Applicants should have an e-mail address enabling them to set up an account.

Application forms must be completed in French or English (only); they may be completed at several attempts and submitted once finalised.

When to apply
The properly completed traineeship application forms for 2012 must be submitted by 30 November 2011 (midnight French time) at the latest to the Council of Europe.
Owing to the large amount of applications to be processed, it is strongly recommended to apply at least one month before the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered. After the deadline, the forms will be locked and it will no longer be possible to submit applications. 

traineeship sessions                  Period of traineeship                           Period of enrolment
 
first session                         from 05/03/2012 to 31/07/2012          available until 30 November 2011
 
second session                    from 03/09/2012 to 31/01/2013          from 01/02/2012 to 30/04/2012