Job announcement: Program and Research Trainee, Ukraine Programs, GMF, Brussels

Reports To: Senior Fellow, GMF’s Strategic Democracy Initiatives

Job Summary:

GMF’s Strategic Democracy Initiatives (SDI) is seeking a full-time trainee to join GMF’s office in Brussels for the period from January 2026 through May 2026 with a possibility of extension of traineeship and/or promotion to the Program/Research Assistant role conditioned on availability of funding to assist with various aspects of Ukraine programming and research on Ukraine’s EU accession efforts, governance reforms and civic participation.

The trainee will support GMF’s Brussels based senior fellow with essential operational, outreach, administrative, and research activities relating to Ukraine reform and accession programming, including assistance with logistics of in-person and virtual high-level events as well as partner coordination and coalition building.

Trainees will benefit from exposure to GMF’s experts and network, and will gain valuable research, analysis, and writing experience. We are looking for applicants with a bachelor’s degree or graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1H 2026.

The position could be structured to be compensated at a rate of 1,200 Euros per month. Trainees are offered an ideal opportunity to acquire substantive professional experience for those interested in a career in public policy or international affairs.

Join us to contribute to meaningful work at the heart of Europe’s policy landscape—supporting democratic resilience and Ukraine’s future in the EU.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Monitor political developments, civil society perspectives, and relevant policy issues in Ukraine and other embattled democracies, from Eastern Europe to the United States
• Coordinate SDI networks of civil society coalitions in Ukraine and other Eastern European democracies

• Provide research, writing, and editing support on SDI publications related to Ukrainian EU accession, reform progress, and civil society’s access to policy-making
• Assist with planning of logistics of expert convenings, including coalition working group meetings, private roundtables, and public events in Brussels, abroad, or virtually

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Excellent analytic and writing skills in English

• Previous research experience or demonstrable interest in issues of transatlantic democracy, Ukrainian democratic reform efforts, and Eastern European or ex-Soviet civil society

• A degree in International Relations, Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, European, Regional and Security Studies, or a related field
• Previous experience in a think tank, foundation, NGO, government body, media outlet, or similar organization preferred but not required

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office

• Comfortable multi-tasking and working independently

• Excellent writing, speaking, and editing skills in English

Start and Length of Traineeship:

• Preferred start and end: January 2026-May 2026 with a possibility of extension
• Following the completion of traineeship, the trainee may be considered for a Program/Research Assistant role conditioned on availability of funding

• Preferred time commitment: full-time, Monday–Friday between 9 AM to 5 PM CET, with a possibility of remote work two days a week

Remuneration:

1,200 Euros per month

Application:

Please apply by submitting your CV and a brief cover letter of up to 400 words via GMF career site https://www.gmfus.org/careers by Monday, December 8, 23:59 CET. Due to the high volume of applicants, we will only contact shortlisted candidates.

GMF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We highly encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Historically, underrepresented groups include (but are not limited to) Black, Latinx/o/a/e, Indigenous, Asian, Arab, Middle Eastern, Pacific Islander, biracial, multiracial, female-identifying, the disability community, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized identities.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At GMF we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role, but your experience does not align perfectly, we encourage you to apply. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles at GMF.