Traineeship for the Legal Service

EPPO - European Public Prosecutor's Office

Luxembourg

THE ROLE

As a trainee and a member of the Legal Service Sector, you will have the opportunity to acquire hands-on experience in providing legal support on matters relating to the EPPO's institutional, governance and regulatory frameworks, while also putting into practice your knowledge of general EU and administrative law acquired during your academic studies.

This position offers you excellent opportunities to contribute to a culture of collaboration and exchange and to improve best practices. Furthermore, working alongside experienced colleagues, you will also be able to improve your skills and further develop as a professional. You will be part of a multicultural team that strives for continuous innovation and seeks to make a positive impact on the lives of all European citizens.

THE AIMS OF THE TRAINEESHIP

To offer trainees a comprehensive understanding of the EPPO’s objectives and activities;
To provide practical experience and insights into the day-to-day operations of various EPPO units and sectors;
To create opportunities for working in a diverse, multicultural, and multilingual environment, fostering mutual understanding, trust, and tolerance;
To promote European integration through active participation of trainees in the performance of tasks entrusted to the EPPO;
To promote awareness and appreciation of European citizenship;
To enable trainees to apply the knowledge acquired in their studies, and in their specific areas of competence;
To introduce trainees to a new professional landscape, including its challenges, responsibilities, and opportunities.

YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting directly to the Head of the Legal Service Sector, you will be responsible for

Contributing to the drafting of legal advice related to the EPPO legal framework and governance structure;
Providing assistance in the preparation of legal advice related to all the aspects of the operations and management of the EPPO;
Providing input for the preparation of legal acts and opinions related to the functioning of the EPPO, including on matters related to human resources, administration, contract and procurement;
Providing tailored responses to ad-hoc research requests received from lawyers in the Legal Service.

BASIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be considered eligible, applicants must meet each of the following basic eligibility requirements by the application’s closing date:

University Diploma

Candidates are required to have completed the first cycle of higher education (university level) and obtained a full degree or its equivalent by the application deadline. Please refer to the EPSO website for examples of eligible diplomas across different Member States.

For ongoing postgraduate studies, an official declaration from the respective university or institute must be submitted. For university or postgraduate diplomas are not issued in an official EU language, candidates must provide a certified translation of these documents in English.

Copies of diplomas or official certificates for all declared university and postgraduate studies must be submitted; self-certifications will not be accepted.

Language

To fully benefit from the traineeship and effectively participate in meetings, applicants must possess a very good knowledge of English, at least at the B2 level, as it is the official working language of the EPPO. The EPPO reserves the right to modify the language criteria as needed. Any changes will be published on the EPPO's website before the application period opens.

Specific knowledge/skills

Candidates may be required to meet specific criteria to qualify for the traineeship program, such as having completed a university or postgraduate course in criminal law or a related field. Any such requirements will be outlined in the traineeship call for applications.

Applicants must also

Be a national of one of the Member States of the Union and enjoy full rights as a citizen;
Provide appropriate character references to demonstrate suitability for performing the duties.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The following competencies will be assessed throughout the selection procedure.

Essential

Completed the first cycle of a higher education course (university education) in law and obtained a full degree or its equivalent by the closing date for applications.
Demonstrated understanding of general EU law.
An awareness of, and an interest in, the role and functioning of the EPPO.
Proven ability in conducting thorough research and analysis.
Outstanding communication written and verbal communication skills, particularly for drafting and summarising texts.
An intermediate (B2) knowledge of English.

Advantageous

Knowledge of criminal law, economic and financial criminal law, European criminal justice (or a related field) gained through academic studies or professional experience.
A solid understanding of employment law, contractual law or similar fields relevant to the administrative management of EU institutions or other bodies, national or international public bodies.
An advanced knowledge of English (C1) and an intermediate (B1) knowledge of French.