EPHA offers two kinds of internships:
a six-month traineeship (stage) for EU university graduates with a background on public health, European studies or social sciences.
ad hoc traineeships for students of public health, European studies or social sciences that need working experience as part of their studies (minimum 3 months).
Objectives
The objectives of both traineeships is to provide the trainee with an understanding of health policy at EU level (including advocacy) and an opportunity to participate in a European network with exposure to many organisations and structures working on health policy.
EPHA can not offer a job after the traineeship.
Responsibilities
The trainee will have a list of tasks closely linked with the implementation of EPHA’s projects. The tasks will depend mostly on the the priorities of EPHA and the skills and interests of the trainee. The trainee will also help with communication and membership activities, and with the organisation of ad hoc conferences and meetings.
Skills
Candidates are expected to be fluent in English and at least one other European language. English mother tongue candidates are encouraged to apply. Candidates must be IT literate (EPHA carries out most of its work through electronic communications and interns must be able to work comfortably and efficiently on computers using standard office software packages. We use open source software in our work).
Candidates must show capability, flexibility and maturity adapting to a new life in a foreign country and working in a very small, busy and international team.
We are particularly looking for individuals that can work independently from an early stage, are good team members and able to prioritise their tasks, have a problem solving mentality and initiative.
Legal form
EPHA offers the three kinds of traineeships as regulated by Belgium law:
"Lifelong Learning Programme - Leonardo da Vinci", this vocational education and training action programme, introduced in 1994, is now in its third phase, which will run from 2007 to 2013.
One of the measures of this programme is mobility, managed by the National Agencies responsible for the implementation of the programme at national level.
The Leonardo grant allows postgraduates to spend a few months in a foreign organisation. The grant usually covers living expenses, insurance and language training.
We advice candidates to contact the relevant National Agency for more information on how to participate in this programme before sending their application to EPHA.
"Contrat d’immersion professionelle", this is a relatively new Belgium contract which allows young graduates without professional experience to gain knowledge and skills by working in an office environment.
This contract sets a net remuneration of +/- 640 EUR a month. EPHA can only host one trainee under this contract at the time. We recommend candidates to explore other sources of funding (Leonardo grants, regional grants, etc).
"Stage scolaire", certain university degrees require a work placement to provide practical application of theoretical knowledge acquired as part of a study programme.
This is a contract between the University or School and EPHA.
Belgium law does not allow the host organisation to remunerate the trainee, although support with food expenses could be agreed under specific circumstances.
Generally, EPHA will not engage in traineeships shorter than 3 months, as the tasks of the trainees usually require longer periods to be developed. Applicants must have the right to live and work in Belgium, as support with visa applications can not be provided.
Documentation
If you want to apply for a traineeship with EPHA, please send an email to Caroline Bollars with your CV and a detailed covering letter answering briefly to the following questions:
In your opinion, to what extent can public health policies improve the health of an individual in comparison to health care services?
What do you think is the role of European NGOs in policy making at EU level?
Based on your own experience, could you give us a concrete example of either successful team work, use of IT to improve effectiveness or time management to meet challenging deadlines?
Finally, have you got any special skills that you believe EPHA would benefit of?
We recommend that you explore our website for help answering these questions and for more information about us.
Short-listed applicants will be asked to interview via telephone with the tutor of the traineeship, Ms Caroline Bollars.
The recruitment process might also involve written tests.
Former trainees speak about EPHA:
