Your team

At the ECB, much of our work is to make sure that Europe’s banks are in good shape to perform the role they have in the economy. We do not carry out this supervisory work alone. We work as part of a system of European banking supervisors called the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM).

We supervise the Euro Area’s largest banks, working alongside national supervisors in Joint Supervisory Teams (JSTs). Our supervisors either supervise individual banks or work in depth in fields as diverse as credit risk, capital markets, non-financial risks, climate risk, cyber risk, business models, internal models, capital planning, crisis management, stress testing and supervisory policy.

With our specialists in many fields, eager to draw on your fresh perspectives and motivation, we are launching a campaign offering around 100 traineeship positions.

Your role

As a trainee you will be assigned either to support one of the JSTs (where you will participate in the team’s day-to-day supervisory activities) or to provide targeted support activities related to one of the key risk areas or key supervisory processes.
For example you may work on some of the following tasks:

• Collect and scrutinise data and generic tables, charts and reports;
• Analyse the legal and regulatory frameworks of financial institutions in different jurisdictions;
• Examine financial accounts and monitor market perceptions of supervised banks;
• Build on your existing knowledge by combining theory and practice and by working on projects relating to the implementation of supervisory practices and standards;
• Further develop your communication and collaboration skills by contributing to notes, decisions and presentations for different internal and external audiences.

Working as a trainee in banking supervision offers you a unique opportunity to gain first-hand practical experience and knowledge of the workings of the ECB and how Europe’s banks are supervised.
You will be working in an inspiring environment alongside international experts who will benefit from your enthusiasm, your fresh perspective and current academic and educational knowledge.
The traineeship will also provide you with a number of learning opportunities, such as training courses, workshops and conferences, enabling you to acquire an in-depth knowledge on a variety of topics.
You will be part of a diverse team that strives for continuous innovation to make a positive impact on the lives of the people of Europe. Your will be assigned a mentor to guide you in developing your skills.
By being part of our active trainee community, you will expand your network and will swiftly become acquainted with all that the ECB and Frankfurt have to offer.

Qualifications, experience and skills We welcome your application if you:

• Hold a relevant bachelor’s degree or higher (or evidence of having successfully completed three years of higher studies after baccalaureate, i.e. proof that you have obtained at least 180 ECTS credits by the closing date for applications);
• Have a keen interest in protecting the stability of the banking system for the benefit of the people of Europe;
• Are eager to learn about banking supervision, financial regulations, supervisory standards and practices, risk analysis (in particular climate and cyber risk) and the implications of the digital transformation on the financial world;
• Are naturally motivated to make the most out of the development opportunities that this traineeship has to offer;
• Are open to navigating the volatility and complexity of today’s world;
• Have a very good (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.

The following would be additional assets to bring to the role:

• Capabilities in data management, data analytics and data visualisation tools (e.g. Tableau), including coding skills (e.g. R or Python);
• A strong interest in working in a multicultural environment or in gaining experience abroad, as demonstrated through language skills, education, work experience or volunteer work.

Further information

We are offering a six-month traineeship, with the possibility of extending it up to 12 months in the same or another business area in ECB Banking Supervision.
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.

Application and selection process Further information on how to join us is available on our website.
The recruitment process for this position will include an online interview.
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 and may be considered for similar positions at the ECB.

Grant The trainee grant is €1,070 per month plus an accommodation allowance (see further information section)