EFSA Traineeships Call 2024

EFSA TRAINEESHIPS CALL 2024
EFSA/NS/TR/2024

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), based in Parma, Italy
is opening positions for

Trainees

(All Units and Departments)

Please send us your application by 29 April 2024 at 23.59 (Local time)
 

IS THIS TRAINEESHIP FOR YOU
 

Are you a dynamic and proactive young professional looking for an enriching experience in a truly international working environment? Are you curious to explore a career path within an European Agency and contribute to protecting human life and health, taking account of animal health and welfare, plant health and the environment?

Then look no further and apply for a 12 month-traineeship at European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)!  

EFSA Traineeship Programme offers you a unique opportunity to join a team of professionals from all over the world working together in an international and multicultural environment on Science, Safe Food and Sustainability projects at the heart of European Food Safety activities.  

We are looking forward to welcoming motivated young talents from different academic and professional backgrounds (scientists, communication and legal professionals, IT experts, etc.). 

From scientists to communication specialists and the colleagues supporting our daily work, everyone at EFSA has a role to play in achieving our mission to keep food safe in the EU.

Apply now and embark on a journey where your potential meets purpose, and together, we make a difference in food safety, from farm to fork.

Your key objectives

You will be accompanied by an advisor who will guide and coach you throughout your traineeship. There is also a thriving Trainee Community where you can exchange experiences with your peers and build social networks that can last long past your traineeship. Within the assigned Unit, you will have the opportunity to:

• Get a first-hand experience into the work of an European Union (EU) Agency, developing new competencies and skills in line with your personal interests and career goals; 

• Contribute to the Unit agenda by supporting in drafting documents and reports, analysing data, handling scientific and/or administrative tasks, and ensuring prompt communication of outcomes;

• Contribute to inspiring projects and specific activities with innovative ideas and solutions;

• Contribute to the planning and monitoring of the Unit’s activities;

• Grow through on-the-job learning and participate in various development initiatives. 

WHAT CAN WE OFFER YOU
 

ONE YEAR | ALL-ROUND EXPERIENCE
 

EFSA Traineeship programme lasts for up to 12 months and offers you: 

• A unique professional experience as part of a team of scientists and business professionals from all over the world, working together on inspiring projects and various tasks in an international, multicultural, and friendly environment;

• An opportunity to get a taste of what an EU career is all about for an extended period (12 months) and experience that can act as a springboard for a number of career paths;

• Exposure to different areas and networks in EFSA, while developing personal and professional competencies;

• A mentoring/advising relationship: as a trainee you will have an adviser who will be your main point of contact and will be responsible for the overall coordination of your traineeship;

• A modern working environment with flexible working arrangements to help balance professional and personal lives: besides working in EFSA’s modern headquarter located in the heart of Parma, as an EFSA trainee you are also offered the possibility to telework up to 60% per week from the distance reachable to Parma within approximately 3 hours. Such conditions will allow you to enjoy working not only from home, but also from the Dolomite Mountains or the Ligurian Sea coast, etc.;

• A monthly grant of €1,463. 

For more information on benefits and working conditions please consult the 'Administrative Act concerning the Traineeship in EFSA'.

WHY EFSA
 

You will play an active role in an organisation that makes a difference to the lives of 445 million EU citizens. 

You will also be part of a great network. Every year, we select around 120 trainees who join EFSA to work with more than 550 staff members as well as highly qualified and independent scientific experts engaged in our Scientific Committees and Panels as well as Working Groups. 

EFSA’s standards and values are driven by ethics and integrity and all staff is expected to act in a manner consistent with its principles, including fairness, transparency and impartiality in work practices and conduct towards other people. 

EFSA welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates, irrespective of sex, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or social origin, disability, religion, belief, or from disadvantaged backgrounds.  

All EFSA staff is committed to create an open and inclusive environment. You will be joining EFSA at an exciting time as we are implementing the EFSA Strategy 2027, aligned with the Transparency Regulation, which increased EFSA’s responsibilities towards EU citizens. 

The following are the objectives of the Strategy 2027: 

1. Deliver trustworthy scientific advice and communication of risks from farm to fork.  
2. Ensure preparedness for future risk analysis needs. 
3. Empower people and ensure organisational agility. 

To find out more about EFSA, visit us at www.efsa.europa.eu.

Life in Parma

Parma is a lively city of around 200.000 inhabitants located in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna and ranked as one of the most liveable cities in Italy. Its centre is rich in art, with architecture from different periods and plenty of parks. Parma is famous for its food, surrounding picturesque countryside and medieval castles. It is strategically located between major cities like Milano and Bologna and within reachable distance from ski resorts, seaside and mountains.  

As an EFSA trainee, you will be part of a lively and energetic team of young people organising many different social and cultural activities. 

SELECTION PROCEDURE
 

The Traineeship call is open to all EU citizens. A limited number of places are also allocated to non-EU nationals. Should they be selected, non-EU candidates will have to obtain a relevant VISA prior to the start of their traineeship at EFSA.

EFSA plans to welcome 120 trainees from October to December 2024, according to availability and business needs.

The selection is based on the comparison between eligibility criteria and candidates’ competencies, with due regard to a balance of nationality and gender. 

Steps of the selection procedure

1.  Candidates apply electronically via the online recruitment tool (selecting 2 areas of interest, in order of their preferences, in which they wish to contribute). Candidates can update or withdraw their applications at any time until the closure of the Call.

2.   Applications are screened against the eligibility criteria defined in the Traineeship Call. 

3.  Eligible candidates will be screened by EFSA's Units, considering the candidates' preferences indicated in the application and their competencies. EFSA may also use online tools to assess specific skills of the eligible candidates. 

4. Shortlisted candidates are required to undergo a further assessment (e.g. recorded video interview telephone/online interview, online written test) to evaluate their suitability for a role and discuss mutual expectations. 

5.   As a result of the previous assessment, candidates can be selected, rejected, or placed in a reserve list for future positions.

6.  Successful candidates will receive a Traineeship Placement Offer, stating a starting date, a Unit they will be placed in, the duration of the traineeship up to 12 months and the list of documents to be submitted before the starting date.  Please note that trainees are only insured against the risk of accidents according to the EFSA insurance policy. EFSA does not provide health insurance for trainees, and trainees must provide evidence that they are covered in the event of illness by a national social security scheme or a private insurance policy, and that the said scheme or policy will cover medical expenses incurred in Italy.

7. Successful candidates must ensure timely submission of all requested supporting documents as outlined in the Traineeship Placement Offer. Failure to provide these documents by the specified deadline may result in the revocation of the offer.

A Trainee position is offered based on EFSA business needs and budget availability.

EFSA Units can contact trainees placed in a reserve list at any time during the traineeship period, either due to last minute withdrawal of a candidate or early termination of the traineeship. 

If you have any questions regarding this call, please contact us at  recruitment@efsa.europa.eu.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITES

At EFSA we believe in equality and diversity.

EFSA is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates without any distinction on grounds of age, gender, sexual orientation, impairment and disability, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief.