Call for applications: Trainee support for Law

1. Introduction

The Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking (Global Health EDCTP3) is a partnership between the European Union and the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Association whose members are several European and African countries. Global Health EDCTP3 is established by Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 of 19 November 2021 establishing the Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe . It aims at supporting clinical research to deliver solutions to reduce the burden of infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa and strengthen research capacities to prepare and respond to emerging infectious diseases. 
Since 2003, the first and second EDCTP programmes ,  represent a flagship for conducting sound multi-country clinical trials in sub-Saharan Africa, building a true partnership between Europe and Africa, and fostering African leadership in scientific research. These programmes have also contributed to improving linkages between African research organisations, which resulted in the launch of four African Regional Networks of Excellence for clinical trials and more than 200 multi-country clinical trials and clinical studies. Moreover, these programmes have strengthened the ethics review capacity and national regulatory authorities in many African countries and contributed to establish relevant organisations in the region.
Building on the positive experience of the previous EDCTP programmes, Global Health EDCTP3 intends to: 
•Reduce the socio-economic burden of infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa by promoting the development and uptake of new or improved health technologies.
•Increase health security in sub-Saharan Africa and globally by strengthening the research and innovation-based capacities for preparedness and response to control infectious diseases.

Global Health EDCTP3 is implementing a budget of approximately EUR 1.86 billion for the period 2021-2027 and consolidating a programme office of around 34 highly qualified, scientific, clinical and administrative professionals from multi-cultural backgrounds from Europe and Africa, operating in a multilingual context. The budget comes from the European Union Horizon Europe Framework Programme of Research and Innovation, the EDCTP Association member countries and additional contributing partners, such as philanthropic organisations and industry, which contribute on an ad-hoc basis. More information can be found in the mentioned Council Regulation establishing the Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe, notably in its Articles 99-114.
Global Health EDCTP3 is established until 31 December 2031 and is located in Brussels, Belgium.
For more information, please visit the Global Health EDCTP3 website at: https://www.global-health-edctp3.europa.eu/index_en

2. Traineeship program

The aims of the traineeship at the Global Health EDCTP3 JU are: 
• To create a pool of people with first-hand understanding of Global Health EDCTP3 JU’s mission and activities; 
• To introduce graduates to the professional environment and the constraints, duties and opportunities therein; 
• To enable graduates to apply knowledge acquired during their studies, particularly in their specific areas of competence; 
• To provide the opportunity to work in a diverse, multi-cultural, and multi-linguistic environment, contributing to the development of mutual understanding, trust and tolerance. 

Through its traineeship programme, Global Health EDCTP3 JU: 
•Benefits from the input of enthusiastic graduates, who can give a fresh point of view and up-to-date academic knowledge, which will enhance the everyday work of the Global Health EDCTP3 JU; 
•Creates long-term “goodwill ambassadors” for Global Health EDCTP3 JU’s mission, both within the European Union and outside. 

3. Job description
Global Health EDCTP3 is organising a call for expressions of interest with a view to recruiting and establishing a reserve list of Trainees, with a Legal profile. The aim of this traineeship is to assist with standard tasks of the Global Health EDCTP3 JU administration and finance unit, in particular legal matters as well as to contribute to the completion of punctual projects concerning documentation of procedures.

3.1 Profile
The Global Health Administration and Finance Unit provides critical support to Global Health EDCTP3 JU operations by delivering high-quality services on human resources; grants; procurement and contract management; finance; legal matters; governance; IT; security; infrastructure.
With the guidance of a supervisor, the trainee will work with colleagues in key legal areas that support institutional objectives. 

3.2 Tasks 
Duties and responsibilities
The Legal trainee will provide support in:
• Conducting legal research and analysis on legal matters, particularly in areas relevant to procurement and grants; 
• Reviewing and drafting decisions, agreements, Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs), guidance notes, templates or other legal documents within the JU’s remit;
• Updating data protection records and privacy statements and updating the dedicated register; 
• Registering consultations and archiving documents, on the basis of the document management plan of the Global Health EDCTP3 JU, and monitoring functional mailboxes; 
• Documenting procedures in the Administration and Finance Unit, in line with Global Health EDCTP3 JU policies.
The successful candidate may be required to undertake other tasks and activities in the interest of the service.

4.Learning outcomes

4.1 Project outputs & learning outcomes 
The trainee will be involved in the handling of legal consultations and will gain knowledge in initiating documents in draft, updating templates, performing administrative controls, and reporting. The trainee will also become familiar with and will acquire practical experience in understanding the legal framework governing Global Health EDCTP3 JU. The trainee will also obtain hands-on experience with IT tools for workflow optimisation, and document management platforms such as SharePoint.

4.2 Technical / Soft skills to be acquired 
From this experience the trainee will gain: ability to work effectively in a multinational/multicultural and complex environment; accuracy and attention to detail; very good organisational and communication skills; report preparation and writing skills; web-tool/database management skills; time management; ability to work effectively in an EU/sub-Saharan Africa environment; technical knowledge on the lifecycle of grants in the context of Horizon Europe; technical knowledge of the EU Financial Regulation with a focus on procurement procedures and documents drafting; technical knowledge about the function of financial circuits for approval and financial rules. 

5. Eligibility criteria

Candidates will be considered for the selection phase on the basis of the following requirements, to be fulfilled by the closing date for applications and maintained throughout the selection procedure and appointment:

5.1 Nationality
Be a national of a member state of the European Union or of a country member of the EDCTP Association and participating in the Global Health EDCTP3 programme ;
 
5.2 Education and professional experience
Have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three (3) years attested by a diploma  or on-going post-university studies;
Age limit: No age limit is imposed on the candidates for traineeships; however, as a matter of priority, traineeships are offered to recent university graduates. 

5.3 Languages
Have a thorough knowledge of one of the official EU languages  and a satisfactory knowledge (at least B2 level) of another of these languages to the extent necessary for the performance of their duties (candidates are invited to specify in their CV possible language certificates they have obtained, which can demonstrate their language skills).

5.4 Prior experience
Have not previously undertaken for more than six (6) weeks a paid or unpaid traineeship or any kind of employment in another EU institution, Agency, or body. 

Candidates should clearly specify each criterion (nationality, diploma, and languages) in their application. 
Failure to comply with any of the eligibility criteria or failure to mention them in the applicant’s application will result in the disqualification of the applicant.

6. Selection criteria
Eligible candidates will be considered for the selection phase on the basis of the following criteria, to be fulfilled by the closing date of applications:

6.1 Essential qualifications 
• University degree (or equivalent academic degree) in Law;
• Very good IT skills, particularly in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

6.2 Advantageous criteria
• Masters’ with a specialisation on EU law;
• Very good knowledge of French (at least B2 level);
• Exposure to an international environment.

6.3 Behavioural competences
• Analytical capabilities;
• Customer service-oriented approach: comfortable with dealing with people at all levels within and outside of the organisation;
• Interpersonal and collaboration skills: ability to listen, create goodwill and support with management, staff and stakeholders.

7.Application procedure

•   The online tool is the only acceptable means of submitting trainees’ applications. It allows candidates to enter their application until the deadline in order to make changes.
•   Candidates are requested to ensure that they provide in their application form the correct e-mail address as this will be the main channel of communication for correspondence relating to the selection procedure. 
•    Applications shall be made in English to be considered. 
•    Supporting documents (e.g. certified copies of degrees/diplomas, references, proof of experience, etc.) should not be sent at this point but must be submitted at a later stage of the procedure if requested.
•    Questions regarding selection procedures and/or technical issues while filling in the application form or their candidate profile can be sent to jobs@global-health-edctp3.europa.eu.
 
8. Selection and appointment procedure

8.1 Screening of applications
Upon receipt of the submitted applications, the eligibility check of candidates is carried out by Human Resources based on the eligibility criteria. After applications are screened, the hiring unit, based on the Call for applications and on elements of the application, will draw up a shortlist of candidates to be invited for an interview which will be held remotely. The candidates not invited to the assessment will be informed that they were not selected.

The assessment evaluates the following:
• The candidate’s motivation and understanding of the position.
• The candidate’s skills with reference to the job description.
• The candidate’s general aptitudes and language abilities as necessary for the performance of their duties.

The assessment will be conducted in English.

8.2 Appointment and reserve list
The Executive Director, who is the Appointing Authority, will select the trainee who most closely meets the requirement of the specific profile. A binding commitment can only be made after the verification of all conditions and will take the form of a traineeship agreement signed by the Executive Director of Global Health EDCTP3.
 
9.Conditions of Employment

Admission to a traineeship does not confer on trainees the status of temporary agents or other servants of the European Union nor does it entail any right or priority with regard to future engagement in the JU. Trainees cannot benefit from any privileges and immunities granted by the host country to temporary agents or other servants of the Global Health EDCTP3 JU. 
The traineeship is offered for a 6-month period with the option for extension for a period up to six (6) months, upon justification by the Head of Administration and Finance Unit and budget availability.
Brussels is the default place of recruitment. 

9.1 Remuneration
The grant shall amount to 25% of the monthly basic salary of an official in grade AD 5, step 1 (EUR 1.493,36 per month).
Grants paid to trainees are not subject to the special tax regulations applying to officials and other servants of the European Union. Trainees themselves are solely responsible for the payment of any taxes due to the Global Health EDCTP3 JU’s grant by virtue of the laws in force in the State concerned. 
Upon presentation of the proper justification, trainees with disabilities may receive a supplement to their grant equal to a maximum of 50% of the amount of the traineeship grant. This additional payment is designed to help those trainees to cover certain additional expenses that they may encounter. The percentage will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and subject to Executive Director’s approval. The Global Health EDCTP3 JU may consult a medical service on its own.
Recruited trainees are entitled to receive a contribution to public transport in accordance with the rules as set out in the contribution scheme to public transportation for Global Health EDCTP3 JU staff members.

9.2 Travel allowance
Trainees are entitled to a reimbursement of travel expenses incurred:
• At the beginning of the traineeship: from the place of recruitment to the place of traineeship; 
• At the end of the traineeship: from the place of the traineeship to the place of recruitment.

9.3 Health and accident insurance
Health and accident insurance is mandatory. Trainees shall be responsible for organising their own insurance against accident along with health cover and any insurance required for family members for the duration of the traineeship. Trainees should submit to the Global Health EDCTP3 JU a copy of the insurance concluded within maximum two (2) weeks from the start of the traineeship.

9.4 Missions
In exceptional cases only, trainees may be sent on a mission provided that the mission is of a technical, and not of a representative character. The authorisation shall be granted by the Executive Director. For the reimbursement of these mission expenses, the general procedure of reimbursement provided in the Mission guides will apply, as for the JU staff members.

10. Independence and declaration of interest
The successful candidate will be required to make a declaration of their commitment to act independently in the public interest and to make a declaration in relation to interests that might be considered prejudicial to his/her independence.

11. Equal opportunities
Global Health EDCTP3, as a European Union body, applies a policy of equal opportunity for men and women and accepts applications without distinction on grounds of sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic characteristics, and language, religious, political or other convictions or opinions, financial situation, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status or family situation.

12. Protection of personal data
All personal data provided by applicants will be dealt with in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data. 
More information on how and when. Global Health EDCTP3 JU process personal data can be obtained in Global Health EDCTP3 JU data protection and legal notice (Legal notice and privacy | Global Health - EDCTP3). In case you have any questions or queries concerning data protection at Global Health EDCTP3 JU, you can contact the Data Protection Officer at: data-protection@global-health-edctp3.europa.eu