Junior Professional Programme EFTA Secretariat 2026-2027

Are you a passionate, driven individual looking to kick-start your career in an intergovernmental organisation? Or do you already bring a first work experience with you and want to know more about the EEA Agreement? Then welcome to our Junior Professional Programme, where we offer you a unique opportunity to embark on an exciting journey of professional growth and development.

We are looking for highly motivated and qualified Junior Professionals to fill 9 positions as of 1 September 2026 for a duration of 11 months. Deadline for application: 15 February 2026.

Division:

All Units

Duration of Appointment:

11 months

Start Date:

1 September 2026

Closing Date:

15-02-2026

Job Reference:

VA 01/2026

Scope 

The aim of the programme is to provide junior civil servants and other qualified applicants with opportunities for training and familiarisation with the work and functions of the EFTA Secretariat.

Field of work
The Junior Professionals will be assigned to a specific Division of the EFTA Secretariat according to the academic field of specialisation, personal preferences and career objectives. 

Posts are offered within the following fields of work: 

• Legal affairs (Brussels)

• Human resources (Brussels)

• Policy coordination (Brussels)

• Statistical cooperation (Luxembourg)

• Trade relations (Geneva)

 A short overview of the activities of each Division and the related Junior Professional position can be found via the hyperlink in the job advert, accessible after selecting ‘søk her’. Please read the page carefully before applying, you can consult the Junior Professional Programme page under the ‘careers’ section found on the EFTA Secretariat website (www.efta.int) for more information.

 Note that candidates must specify their preferred field of work in the online application tool.

Essential Skills 

• National of an EFTA Member State (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland)

• Master’s degree completed, or final-year student expected to complete the degree prior to the start of the Junior Professional Programme

Note: For the HR position only, a completed bachelor’s degree is sufficient

• Limited professional experience post-graduation (maximum of 2 years)

• Fluency in English

Ideal Skills 

• Internships or short-term placements in governmental, international, or policy-related organisations

• Familiarity with the EEA Agreement, EFTA Free Trade Agreements, or related policy frameworks 

Employment Terms 

What we offer 

• Junior Professionals receive a monthly stipend of EUR 1 960 (if stationed in Brussels or Luxembourg) or CHF 2695 (if stationed in Geneva)

• Accommodation in spacious individual furnished flats will be provided

• Health, life and invalidity and travel insurance cover

• Reimbursement of travel costs upon taking up and leaving the programme

• The opportunity to join language classes 

Note: The stipend and benefits received by Junior Professionals do not fall under the same privileges applying to EFTA officials. The relationship with the respective tax authorities is the Junior Professionals' own responsibility and the taxation decision lies with the competent tax authority.

Application procedure
Only applications submitted via the EFTA online recruitment tool will be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by phone and interviews are normally conducted online via Teams in the weeks following the deadline.

Please be aware of the following: 

• Your application will only be considered if you are a national of one of the EFTA Member States

• All requested information on education, work experience, motivation, etc., should be filled in on the application form

• Applications submitted by e-mail will not be taken into consideration 

More information regarding the recruitment process for this Programme can be found on the Junior Professional Programme pages of the EFTA website. 

In the interest of offering this valuable experience to the broadest pool of individuals possible, former ESA, EFTA Court and EFTA Secretariat Junior Professionals/trainees will not be eligible to apply for this Junior Professional Programme.
For any further information, please contact EFTA Human Resources: hr.support@efta.int

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is an intergovernmental organisation set up for the promotion of free trade and economic integration between its four Member States: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.