Scottish Government Policy & Events Traineeship 2026 in Brussels: Apply for the 12-Month Paid Programme

Applications are now open for the Scottish Government Policy & Events Traineeship 2026, an exciting 12-month professional opportunity based at Scotland House Brussels in Belgium. The programme provides an opportunity to gain practical professional experience at the centre of European policymaking while contributing to Scotland’s engagement with European Union institutions, member states and other European organisations.

The British Diplomatic Missions in Brussels are recruiting for the Policy & Events Traineeship for the Scottish Government EU Office at Scotland House Brussels. The successful trainee will gain experience across policy research, European affairs, stakeholder engagement, event management, ministerial visits, communications and wider team activities.

The traineeship is a full-time, 12-month placement, with the successful candidate expected to begin on 2 November 2026. The position carries a professional immersion indemnity of €1,500 per month, alongside additional benefits.

Interested candidates should pay particularly close attention to the eligibility conditions. Most importantly, candidates must already possess the independent right to live and work in Belgium and must be able to maintain that right throughout the traineeship.

The application deadline is 19 August 2026 at 23:55, Belgium local time. Candidates are strongly encouraged not to wait until the final minutes to submit their applications.

About the Scottish Government Policy & Events Traineeship 2026

The Policy & Events Traineeship provides a 12-month opportunity to develop professional skills and experience across a variety of areas while working in Brussels.

The trainee will support the Scottish Government’s four core policy priorities for 2026–2027, particularly work relating to sustainability and economic growth. The role will also contribute to efforts aimed at growing Scotland’s economy through innovation, investment and business support.

A significant advantage of this traineeship is the breadth of exposure available to the successful candidate. Rather than concentrating exclusively on one narrow area of work, the trainee will have opportunities to participate in policy monitoring, research, written reporting, event organisation, stakeholder engagement and official visits.

The trainee will work closely with the EU Engagement and Bilateral Relations Lead and the Events and Visits Manager. This includes helping to organise the office’s core annual programme of events and supporting additional activities hosted at the Scotland House Conference Centre and external venues.

Events may take place both online and in person.

The successful candidate will also help coordinate visits to Brussels by Ministers and senior stakeholders, in addition to supporting the management and welcoming of regular visitors to Scotland House.

About Scotland House Brussels

Scotland House Brussels operates in the heart of the EU district in Brussels and has worked for more than 20 years to promote Scottish interests and engage with EU institutions, member states and other European organisations.

Its strategic location enables Scotland to maintain relationships with European institutions and partners and provides a platform through which Scottish interests, expertise and achievements can be promoted.

The Scottish Government EU Office works across numerous policy areas. These include research and innovation, renewable energy, equalities and other important areas.

Scotland House also hosts events designed to showcase Scotland’s cultural reputation, including its food, drink and hospitality.

Another organisation based at Scotland House is Scottish Development International (SDI), Scotland’s trade and inward investment agency. SDI works with businesses and investors interested in trading with, establishing operations in or investing in Scotland. It provides information, connections, advice and other forms of support and operates through a global network of more than 30 offices.

Working in this environment therefore offers the trainee exposure to the intersection of public policy, European affairs, international relations, economic development, investment, cultural diplomacy and stakeholder engagement.

What Will the Policy & Events Trainee Do?

The successful applicant will undertake responsibilities covering several major areas.

1. Support Policy Teams Across Different Policy Areas

Policy monitoring and analysis form an important part of the traineeship.

The trainee will help monitor EU policy developments and gain insights into emerging issues by using open-source information and engaging with relevant stakeholders.

Responsibilities may include:

• Monitoring developments in EU and European policy;
• Researching relevant policy issues through open-source information;
• Engaging with key stakeholders to develop policy insights;
• Supporting updates for Scottish Government policy colleagues;
• Contributing to information provided to Scottish Ministers;
• Helping prepare weekly notes distributed across different Scottish Government departments;
• Promoting Scotland’s achievements; and
• Identifying and encouraging opportunities for collaboration in addressing shared challenges.

For candidates hoping to develop careers involving public policy, European affairs, government, international relations, research or public administration, these responsibilities provide practical exposure to how information is gathered, analysed and communicated within a governmental environment.

2. Support Cultural Diplomacy and Policy Events

Events are another major component of the traineeship.

The successful candidate will work alongside the Events Team to support both cultural diplomacy events and policy-themed events.

Activities can include:

• Drafting event notes;
• Preparing event-related materials;
• Producing communication materials;
• Issuing invitations;
• Monitoring invitations and responses;
• Ordering catering;
• Arranging supplies;
• Supporting event logistics;
• Helping deliver events at Scotland House and external venues;
• Supporting both online and in-person activities; and
• Assisting with the organisation of visits by Ministers and senior stakeholders.

This part of the programme provides practical experience in professional event coordination while allowing the trainee to understand how events can support policy engagement, relationship-building and cultural diplomacy.

3. Support Ministerial and Senior Stakeholder Visits

The trainee will assist in organising visits to Brussels by Ministers and senior stakeholders.

This can include supporting engagement with:

• EU institutions;
• Brussels-based networks;
• Partner organisations; and
• Other relevant stakeholders.

The trainee will therefore gain insight into the planning and coordination required to support high-level governmental and stakeholder engagements.

4. Welcome and Coordinate Visitors to Scotland House Brussels

Scotland House regularly receives visitors, and the trainee will contribute to ensuring that visitors have a smooth and professional experience.

The role includes supporting the coordination and welcoming of visitors and helping manage regular visits to Scotland House.

This aspect of the position requires strong organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.

5. Attend External Meetings

The successful trainee may attend external meetings both online and in person.

Following these engagements, the trainee may be responsible for providing reports and updates to colleagues. This offers an opportunity to strengthen listening, analytical, note-taking, reporting and professional communication skills.

6. Contribute to Wider Mission Activities

The traineeship extends beyond the trainee’s immediate policy and events responsibilities.

The successful candidate may participate in wider Mission initiatives and take on a corporate role where required. This provides broader exposure to the operations and priorities of the organisation.

Learning and Professional Development Opportunities

Professional development is an important component of the programme.

The Scottish Government provides employees with access to a broad range of training opportunities. Depending on the trainee’s responsibilities and interests, they may be able to choose from a comprehensive training catalogue to develop relevant professional capabilities.

The traineeship also provides some flexibility according to the successful candidate’s abilities, interests and career aspirations.

As the placement progresses, the team may review the trainee’s responsibilities and help them develop further in areas they are particularly interested in.

This flexibility means that the programme can provide more than routine work experience. The trainee may have opportunities to gradually develop responsibilities and capabilities that contribute to longer-term career development.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Candidates should carefully review the essential requirements before submitting an application.

The ideal candidate must demonstrate the following:

1. Fluent English: Applicants need written and spoken English at CEFR C1 level or higher.
2. Higher education: Candidates must possess a relevant higher education degree.
3. Relevant experience: Applicants should have relevant academic, employment or voluntary experience.
4. Interest in European policy: Candidates should demonstrate a keen interest in EU and European policy.
5. Knowledge of the EU: Applicants should understand EU institutions and processes.
6. Research ability: Strong research skills are required.
7. Writing ability: Candidates need good professional writing skills.
8. Time and workload management: Applicants should be capable of prioritising their workload and delivering work within tight deadlines.
9. Communication: Strong communication skills are essential.
10. Interpersonal skills: Candidates should be able to interact effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.
11. Teamwork: The role requires strong team-working capabilities.
12. IT proficiency: Applicants need strong IT skills, including experience using Microsoft Office.

Applicants invited to interview should also be aware that their language skills may be assessed during the recruitment process.

Desirable Skills and Experience

In addition to the essential criteria, certain qualifications and experiences would strengthen an application.

These include:

• Familiarity with Scotland;
• Knowledge of Scottish politics and culture;
• A passion for promoting Scotland;
• French language skills;
• Dutch language skills;
• Skills in other languages; and
• Previous experience supporting or organising events.

These are described as desirable rather than essential criteria.

Key Behaviours Expected from Applicants

Candidates are expected to demonstrate several important professional behaviours throughout the selection process and traineeship.

These include:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Prospective applicants should therefore consider examples from their academic studies, employment, volunteering or other relevant experiences that demonstrate these behaviours.

Duration and Working Arrangements

This is a full-time professional immersion traineeship lasting 12 months.

The working schedule consists of:

• 36.25 net working hours per week
• Five working days per week
• 12-month traineeship duration
• Location: Brussels, Belgium
• Expected start date: 2 November 2026
• Number of available positions: One

Candidates should consider the full 12-month commitment before applying.

Salary and Financial Benefits

The professional immersion indemnity attached to the position is €1,500 per month.

Additional benefits include:

• Commute/public transport reimbursement; and
• Luncheon vouchers worth €8 per working day.

The vacancy also specifies different tax arrangements for Belgian and non-Belgian nationals.

Belgian nationals will receive their salary gross and are expected to fulfil their tax obligations by completing the relevant tax return with Belgian authorities.

Non-Belgian nationals will receive their salary net after the deduction of an amount equivalent to Belgian tax retained at source. Candidates progressing through the recruitment process will receive further information about these arrangements.

Annual Leave During the Traineeship

Trainees have access to:

• One day of paid annual leave per month of the traineeship; and
• One day of unpaid leave per month of the traineeship.

Applicants should take these conditions into account when assessing the overall terms of the programme.

Important Requirement Regarding University or School Programmes

Candidates should pay particular attention to the nature of this placement.

This is a professional immersion traineeship outside any educational programme.

As a result, the organisation states that paperwork with a university or school cannot be signed for the traineeship.

Students or recent graduates who require an internship agreement, university placement agreement or similar documentation from the host organisation should therefore carefully consider this condition before applying.

Age and Medical Coverage Requirements

Applicants must meet the professional immersion traineeship requirements.

Candidates must:

• Be at least 18 years old; and
• Provide proof of valid medical coverage for the entire traineeship period, such as a European or Global Health Insurance Card.

The successful candidate will also be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.

Right to Live and Work in Belgium

One of the most important eligibility conditions concerns immigration and employment status.

Candidates must currently hold an independent right to live and work in Belgium.

They must also be prepared to ensure that this legal right remains valid throughout the duration of the contract.

The responsibility for satisfying Belgium’s legal requirements for living and working in the country rests with the applicant.

Prospective international applicants should therefore verify that they independently meet this condition before spending significant time preparing an application.

Travel, Interview and Relocation Expenses

Applicants should also budget appropriately if participation requires travel or relocation.

The British Diplomatic Missions will not cover travel expenses incurred when travelling to an interview.

Similarly, relocation expenses will not be covered if a candidate is offered the traineeship.

Candidates who do not already live in Brussels should therefore consider potential accommodation, relocation and associated living costs when determining whether the opportunity is financially suitable for them.

Employment Conditions

Locally recruited staff working for the British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service in accordance with local Belgian employment law.

The successful candidate will also have to complete the required professional background checks and security clearance before taking up the position.

How to Apply for the Policy & Events Traineeship 2026

Candidates should submit their application through the official British Government recruitment platform operated through tal.net/Oleeo.

Applicants are advised to:

1. Carefully review all eligibility and professional immersion requirements.
2. Confirm that they already possess an independent right to live and work in Belgium.
3. Ensure their English proficiency meets the required CEFR C1 level or above.
4. Review their academic, work and voluntary experience against the essential criteria.
5. Prepare examples demonstrating the required professional behaviours.
6. Complete all required sections of the online application.
7. Review the application carefully for errors or missing information.
8. Submit the completed application before the deadline.

The vacancy specifically warns applicants that applications for Country Based Staff positions with the British Government can only be submitted through the official tal.net recruitment website operated by Oleeo.

Although vacancies may also appear on third-party websites, those advertisements should ultimately direct applicants to the official recruitment platform. Applications submitted through another website will not be received by the British Government recruitment system.

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Policy & Events Traineeship 2026 Application Deadline

The application deadline is 19 August 2026.

Applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 19 August 2026, according to the local time zone of the country where the vacancy is located. Since this position is based in Brussels, applicants should work according to the applicable Belgium local time.

Candidates should avoid waiting until the final hour to complete their applications.

Only applications that have been fully completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Key Dates

• Application deadline: 19 August 2026
• Closing time: 23:55, Belgium local time
• Expected start date: 2 November 2026
• Programme duration: 12 months

Why Consider the Scottish Government Policy & Events Traineeship?

The programme provides a distinctive combination of policy and practical professional experience.

A successful trainee could gain exposure to:

• EU and European policy developments;
• Scottish Government policy priorities;
• Government research and reporting;
• Ministerial engagement;
• International stakeholder relations;
• Cultural diplomacy;
• Event planning and management;
• Communications;
• European institutions and Brussels-based networks;
• Economic growth, innovation and investment policy;
• Professional writing;
• Official visits and stakeholder coordination; and
• Working within an international governmental environment.

The position could be particularly valuable for someone seeking to build experience relevant to future careers in policy, European affairs, public administration, international relations, government, stakeholder engagement, communications or professional event management.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The British Government describes itself as an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.

It states that it values difference, promotes equality and challenges discrimination while encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds.

The employer states that it does not discriminate based on disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other categories protected by law.

The organisation also promotes family-friendly flexible working opportunities where operational and security requirements permit.

Final Application Checklist

Before submitting an application, prospective candidates should confirm that they:

• Are at least 18 years old;
• Hold a relevant higher education degree;
• Have relevant academic, professional or voluntary experience;
• Have English proficiency at CEFR C1 level or higher;
• Have a strong interest in EU or European policy;
• Understand EU institutions and processes;
• Possess strong research and writing skills;
• Can work effectively under tight deadlines;
• Have strong communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills;
• Have good IT skills, including Microsoft Office;
• Already possess an independent right to live and work in Belgium;
• Can maintain that right throughout the traineeship;
• Can provide valid medical coverage for the traineeship period;
• Understand that university or school paperwork cannot be signed for this placement;
• Understand that interview travel and relocation expenses will not be covered; and
• Can submit a complete application by 23:55 Belgium local time on 19 August 2026.

Conclusion

The Scottish Government Policy & Events Traineeship 2026 in Brussels provides an opportunity for an individual interested in European policy, government affairs, stakeholder engagement and event management to spend 12 months gaining professional experience at Scotland House Brussels.

With responsibilities spanning EU policy monitoring, research, written reporting, cultural diplomacy events, ministerial visits, stakeholder engagement and wider Mission activities, the programme offers exposure to several areas of international governmental work.

The successful candidate will work full-time for 12 months, receive a €1,500 monthly professional immersion indemnity, and benefit from commute reimbursement and €8 luncheon vouchers per working day, alongside access to professional training and development opportunities.

However, applicants should pay close attention to the eligibility requirements. In particular, candidates need a relevant higher education degree, suitable academic, work or voluntary experience, English proficiency at CEFR C1 level or above, valid medical coverage and an existing independent right to live and work in Belgium.

Candidates should also remember that this is a professional immersion traineeship outside an educational programme, meaning university or school paperwork cannot be signed.

There is only one vacancy, making careful preparation especially important.

Interested and eligible applicants should complete their applications through the official British Government recruitment platform as early as possible and ensure everything is successfully submitted before the final deadline of 19 August 2026 at 23:55 Belgium local time.

Visit the OFY website for more Internship and Training opportunities.