General Information

Type of contract:  Traineeship

Who can apply?:  EU nationals eligible for our traineeship programme

Grant:  The trainee grant is €1,170 per month plus an accommodation allowance (see further information section)

Working time:  Full time

Place of work:  Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Closing date:  01.02.2024

Your team

You will be part of the Data Protection Office in the Directorate General Legal Services. The Data Protection Officer reports directly to the Executive Board and is responsible for ensuring that EU data protection law is correctly applied at the ECB, safeguarding the freedoms and fundamental rights of individuals with regard to how their personal data are processed. 

We are currently working on issues related to cloud computing, artificial intelligence, the digital euro project and a range of other initiatives. In your role as a Data Protection trainee, you will be part of a dynamic team of enthusiastic professionals responsible for providing advice, raising awareness of data protection, investigating incidents and other matters related to data protection, liaising with the European Data Protection Supervisor and conducting data protection audits. We work closely with all ECB departments and a network of data protection officers from national central banks and other EU institutions.

The ECB is an inclusive employer and we strive to reflect the diversity of the population we serve. We encourage you to apply irrespective of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or other characteristics.

Your role

As a Data Protection trainee, you will:

• carry out research and prepare legal advice on data protection matters, working closely with experienced legal counsels and under the supervision of the Data Protection Officer;
• support the Data Protection Office in preparing meetings, guidance, presentations and legal analysis;
• help assess requests for legal advice on data protection questions, transfers of personal data outside the European Economic Area, data subject access requests, data protection breaches, new technologies, records of processing activities, privacy statements and data protection impact assessments;
• raise awareness of data protection.

The position offers you excellent opportunities to gain experience in the field of data protection in an EU context and apply the knowledge and skills acquired during your studies. Working together with more experienced colleagues, you will have the opportunity to improve your skills and further develop as a professional. You will be part of a multicultural team that strives for continuous innovation to make a positive impact on the lives of European citizens. 

Qualifications, experience and skills

Essential: 

• a bachelor’s degree in law, preferably obtained in an EU Member State;
• awareness of and interest in EU data protection law;
• legal drafting skills;
• a good knowledge of the MS Office package;
• an advanced (C1) command of English and an intermediate (B1) command of at least one other official language of the EU, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Desired: 

• specialisation, experience, research or a master’s or doctoral thesis in EU law or EU data protection law; 
• an understanding of information security. 

You are curious and eager to learn, and want to further develop your ability to analyse complex information. You are keen to collaborate with others, pursue team goals and learn from other people’s diverse perspectives. You strive to know and anticipate stakeholder needs, and will signal any need for change and propose alternative solutions.

You are motivated to contribute to the ECB’s mission, to serve the citizens of the EU as a member of a public institution and to work with colleagues from all over Europe. You are keen to be part of our team and to use your skills and competencies to achieve the aims of this position.

Further information

Initial traineeship of six months, with a possible extension up to 12 months in total. Several starting dates are possible throughout 2024. 

Other details on the conditions applicable to traineeships at the ECB can be found on our website.

Application and selection process

The recruitment process for this position will include a remote written exercise and an online interview. 

Further information on how to apply is available on our website.

If you are not selected for this position but are still considered suitable, you will be placed on a reserve list for 12 months from the closing date for applications, from which you might be considered for other traineeship positions within the ECB.