Internship Opportunities at the CEI Executive Secretariat (CEI-ES)
Terms of reference
INTRODUCTION: SCOPE AND PURPOSE
The ultimate goal of an internship is for the intern to develop new skills and knowledge, as well as start building professional networks. This is done by getting involved in real-life activities and projects, attending meetings and contributing to the organisation thereof, and receiving guidance and feedback from a supervisor or mentor.
Internships at the CEI Executive Secretariat in Trieste provide university students and recent graduates from the CEI region with hands-on training and practical experience to enhance their employability and skills at the start of their professional career.
Through its internships, the CEI Secretariat thus contributes in practical terms to the purpose and goals of the CEI Youth Agenda, which aims at youth empowerment across the CEI region, by concretely supporting youth development skills and ensuring a smoother transition of the CEI youth from education to work.
CEI INTERNSHIPS: DURATION, AREAS OF ACTIVITY AND TASKS
The CEI Executive Secretariat in Trieste has an internship roster open for applications year-round. The Secretariat draws on this roster to make periodic selections of applicants for internship periods of 4-6 months, usually between January and July (variable periods), and from September through December (fixed period).
CEI internships involve interns in a wide range of CEI-ES activities relevant to regional cooperation, e.g. institutional activities, communication and media, project-related activities, administration, event organisation and logistics.
In a nutshell, internships at the CEI-ES involve assisting staff members with their relevant activities, and includes a variety of practical operational tasks such as desk and web research, analysis and drafting of documents and reports, drafting news and social media posts, participating in meetings, providing support with meetings and events organisation, data organising and systematising, administrative and logistic support, and other daily and ad hoc tasks as required. The main two areas of CEI-ES internships are: 1) Institutional Activities and 2) Communications & Media.
CEI INTERNSHIP TYPES
A. ERASMUS+ Traineeships
Candidates from the CEI Member States who intend to spend a mobility period at the CEI-ES through the Erasmus+ Traineeship program run by their university are particularly welcome and encouraged to apply. Curricular and extra-curricular Erasmus+ Traineeships at the CEI-ES might last a bit longer, provided this is envisaged by the sending university and compatible with CEI-ES contingent needs.
Candidates are strongly invited to submit their application at the CEI-ES well before the release of the ERASMUS+ Traineeship opening procedure notice for grants by their home university, in order to allow the CEI-ES sufficient time to carry out its internal planning and relevant selection procedures.
Based on the trainee’s merit and motivation, and subject to the availability of CEI-ES financial resources, CEI internships carried out through the ERASMUS+ Traineeship programme may provide a monthly internship allowance from the CEI-ES of up to €500,00 for a full-time engagement.
B. Non-Erasmus Internships
B.1 Curricular internships
Curricular internships are aimed at students currently enrolled in a university degree course. It aims to integrate and put learning into practice with concrete work experience. This type of internship is governed by specific university regulations and is promoted by accredited universities.
Curricular internships do not include any remuneration. Generally, this type of internship provides ECTS (CFU) university credits for the students.
If a university of a prospective intern is not accredited with the CEI-ES, based on related relevance for the CEI activities and other internal evaluations, in case of selection an accreditation procedure might be undertaken.
B.2 Extracurricular internships
Extracurricular internships are practical training experiences designed for recent university graduates to gain initial work experience, offering them valuable skills and exposure to the job market. These internships are not part of the formal academic curriculum and do not provide academic credits.
An internship allowance is provided for a full-time engagement to selected CEI interns within 12 months of their graduation.
C. Voluntary Service
Particularly motivated internship candidates with more than 12 months after graduation may apply for a voluntary service.
FINANCIAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND INSURANCE CONDITIONS
Interns without a resident status in Italy must make sure they fulfil all legal requirements (residence permit, visa etc.) as specified by the Italian law for foreigners. Interns must also have valid medical and accident insurance during their stay in Trieste.
Interns are required to respect the working hours, organisation and general rules of the CEI-ES, including the confidentiality of the information brought to their attention during their internship within the CEI Secretariat.
QUALIFICATIONS
Internships offered by the CEI Secretariat are intended primarily for young nationals of the CEI Member Countries who meet the following requirements:
- For curricular internships: current enrolment in bachelor's or master's degree studies relevant to the CEI activities (e.g. international relations, political science, economics, law, etc.) approaching graduation;
- For extracurricular internships: recently obtained bachelor's or master's degree in a field relevant to the CEI activities;
- For all:
- Excellent command of English, both written and oral
- Computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Canva, etc.)
- A sense of organisation, initiative and responsibility
- Ability to carry out assigned duties with due diligence
- Ability to work in an international environment
- Good attitude for working in a team
- Basic familiarity with the CEI structures and activities
- Knowledge of Italian is considered an asset
- Any relevant previous experience is considered an asset, as limited as it may be.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications in English including a Curriculum Vitae in EuroPass format and a brief motivation letter are to be submitted to: internship@cei.int .
Important:
- In your CV please make sure to indicate your age, nationality, and your current location.
- In your motivation letter please indicate the type of internship (A, B or C) you are applying for, your availability period, and your area(s) of interest (Institutional or Communications & Media).