Trainee - Bucharest Office

The German Marshall Fund of the United States•Washington, DC

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The German Marshall Fund of the United States’ Bucharest Office is hiring two trainees for a six-month paid traineeship. The position is part-time, at 20 hours per week, and duties are carried out onsite at the GMF Bucharest Office. Relocation costs are not covered. The trainees will support the South and Wider Europe Program, particularly its Black Sea strand. The program addresses the Global South, the Mediterranean, and the Balkans and Black Sea regions. The Black Sea strand works to strengthen regional cooperation, civil society, and democratic foundations through research, dialogues, fact-finding missions, and grant-making, supporting cooperation, dialogue, security, stability, and welfare in countries including Armenia, Bulgaria, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Applicants should submit a cover letter and current resume through the GMF careers website by November 22, 2026. Due to the high volume of applications, only candidates of interest will be contacted.

Requirements

Academic background in political science (such as international affairs, European studies, or security studies) or international economic relations. Students enrolled in communication, sociology, law, or journalism programs may apply if they can demonstrate an interest in working in an international nonprofit.
Fluency in English.
Strong interest in democracy-building processes.
Good writing, communication, and research skills.
Flexibility to multitask, attention to detail, ability to perform under tight deadlines, and ability to work independently.
Good organizational skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment.

Nice To Haves

Enrollment in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program is desirable.
Knowledge of Russian.
Experience in event management.

Responsibilities

Produce daily press reviews and weekly briefings on issues relevant to and of interest to GMF and the Black Sea Trust.
Conduct background research on topics of interest to GMF and the Black Sea Trust.
Assist with grant-making activities.
Provide assistance with communication tasks.
Help maintain the Bucharest Office’s contact database.
Assist in organizing conferences and other convening events.
Provide administrative and logistical support.
Perform other duties as assigned.