Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking is looking for a Programme Unit Trainee

The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) based in Brussels, Belgium is looking for two trainees to support the Programme Unit. Please send us your application by no later than 3 December 2024 at 23:59 CET (Central European Time / Brussels time), following the instructions in the ANNEX.

1. Who we are

The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), a €2 billion partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), funds projects advancing competitive circular bio-based industries in Europe. The role of CBE JU is to bring together various actors from bio-based industries, ranging from farmers to scientists, to solve the technological, regulatory and market challenges of the sector. Its public-private funding scheme boosts innovation and market deployment and paves the way for future investments. For further information, please consult the CBE JU website: https://www.cbe.europa.eu/

2. Overall purpose of the traineeship

The CBE JU operates a traineeship programme. The programme gives trainees an understanding of the CBE JU and its role within the activities of the European Union, enables them to acquire practical knowledge of the CBE JU and obtain professional experience in the course of their work. The rules governing the traineeship programme can be consulted on the CBE JU website.

The trainee will have an opportunity to:

• Work in a multicultural and multilingual environment.

• Put into practice knowledge acquired during their studies, particularly in their specific areas of competence.

• Experience the professional life and its constraints, duties and opportunities.

• Acquire practical experience and knowledge of the day-to-day work of an EU organisation.

The placement is for a maximum period of 6 months. The trainee will have an adviser within the CBE JU Programme Unit. The adviser will guide and closely follow the trainee during the traineeship, acting as a mentor.

3. Functions and responsibilities of the trainee

The CBE JU wishes to host two trainees to support the Programme Unit. In function of the needs at the time of the traineeship, the trainee will be involved in one or more tasks listed below:

• Contribute to the knowledge management in designing the tools, creating automatized statistical reports, providing statistical data on core business and ad-hoc requests linked to communication or reporting activities;

• Undertake specific analysis of the CBE JU portfolio, such as on feedstock, technologies, applications, SME participation, primary producers, etc.;

• Be involved in the yearly assessment of the KPIs and impacts questionnaire;

• Support the Call Coordination team in the execution of calls for proposal under the Horizon Europe programme;

• Provide support to the secretariat of the Advisory Bodies, Scientific Committee and State Representative Group and support the establishment of the new Deployment Groups;

• Participate in the actions linked to policy feedback, synergies and widening participation;

• Draft notes, prepare documents and support in the organization of meetings/workshops, including preparation of the agenda, the presentations and of their minutes;

• Undertake additional tasks as required in the interest of the service.

4. Requirements

• Nationality of the Member States of the EU;

• University degree or its equivalent by the closing date for applications. Candidates must provide copies of the diplomas or other relevant certificates;

• A Master degree in subjects relevant for CBE JU (e.g. chemistry, biotechnology, bioeconomy, industrial engineering) is requested. A PhD will be considered as an advantage;

• A very good command of oral and written English and of one or more other official Union languages;

• Ability to manage priorities, to work under pressure and to meet tight deadlines;

• Proficiency in MS Office, in particular Word processing, Excel spreadsheets, Outlook, PowerPoint;

• Good interpersonal and communication skills, team player.

Applications will not be accepted from candidates who, for more than six weeks:

• have already benefited or benefit from any kind of in-service training (formal or informal, paid or unpaid) within a European institution or body, or

• who have had or have any kind of employment within a European institution or body, including anyone who is or has been an assistant to a Member of the European Parliament, an intra-muros consultant or researcher, a temporary staff member, a contract staff member, an auxiliary staff member or an interim staff member of any EU institution, body, delegation or representative office.

5. Grant

The CBE JU pays a monthly grant of EUR 1,418.19 net per month and will pay a travel allowance to compensate the expenses incurred at the beginning and at the end of the traineeship from the place of residence, which is usually the address provided for correspondence. It is recommended to read carefully the detailed rules applicable.

6. Traineeship period

Two traineeship periods are planned in the Programme Unit:

• March to August 2025

• September 2025 to February 2026.

Please indicate in your application which period you prefer.

7. Closing date

Applications must be submitted by 3 December 2024, 23:59 CET (Central European Time / Brussels time). The closing date of this vacancy may be prolonged. Candidates are recommended not to wait until the final days before the closing date of applications’ submission. The CBE JU cannot be held responsible for any last-minute IT malfunction due to an overflow of the application system.