Job opportunities

Una Europa's Policy Internship offers you the opportunity to gain hands-on professional policy experience in a vibrant international higher education environment, combining collaboration across institutions in eleven different countries with a base at our alliance headquarters in Brussels, the heart of the EU.

Employed and paid under a Belgian Professional Internship Agreement contract, the successful candidate will benefit from a full-time, six-month internship beginning in January 2026 and ending in June 2026.

The timing of this internship will allow the successful applicant to earn gain experience in EU policy and funding at a particularly interesting time, when the European Union’s Multi-Annual Financial Framework is under negotiation.

Tasks

• Support Senior Policy Officer in the monitoring of relevant European higher education and research & innovation policies, building personal expertise on specific topics.
• In collaboration with Senior Policy Officer, contribute to providing broad external policy expertise and to briefings for Una Europa leadership and other alliance stakeholders.
• Attend and provide briefings on relevant events, conferences and other external engagements with European higher education and research and innovation stakeholders in Brussels.
• Support Senior External Funding Officer on matters related to external funding, with a focus on opportunities related to funding, programmes for education, research and innovation, such as monitoring and mapping upcoming calls, and helping organise online collaboration webinars.
• Undertake specific tasks on behalf of the Una Europa central office, as required.

Profile and skills

• Master’s student or doctoral researcher currently registered at one of the Una Europa partner universities.
• Excellent verbal and written language proficiency in English; other Una Europa languages an advantage.
• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills.
• Ability to work independently and show initiative.
• Proactive, collaborative spirit and positive attitude.
• An intrinsic interest in the European Institutions and EU policymaking.
• An understanding of European funding programmes for higher education is considered an asset.

Download the full role description

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the internship, candidates must be able to prove that they:

1. Are registered as a master's or doctoral student at one of the Una Europa universities for the full duration of the contract of the internship; and
2. Have the right to work in Belgium for the full duration of the contract of the internship.

Una Europa vzw is not in a position to apply for a work permit for any candidate for the internship position.

Una Europa is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from individuals with diverse abilities, of any gender, linguistic and cultural background, or minority group.

How to apply

Candidates who wish to apply for the position should submit the following information:

• Application letter, explaining your strengths as a candidate and why you are interested in the position (maximum 2 pages).
• A current CV detailing relevant experience (maximum 2 pages).
• A signed declaration of the right to work in Belgium for the full duration of the contract.

Please submit your application via email with the subject line ‘Policy Internship’ to jobs@una-europa.eu.

Application deadline: 28 September 2025.

Tentative interview dates: 14 and 15 October 2025.

Interviews will take place online via Microsoft Teams.