BETTER FINANCE is offering a 6-month full-time paid internship as a Research and Policy Assistant to join the team in Brussels. The successful candidate will support work of the BETTER FINANCE research and policy team with data gathering and the monitoring of financial services-related EU legislative files while also supporting with day-to-day office management and administrative tasks as required. The intern will report directly to the Executive Director.
The successful candidate will cooperate closely with the other BETTER FINANCE team members.
WHAT WE OFFER
- A 6-month paid internship (Convention d’Immersion Professionnelle), with remuneration and other benefits of up to 1600 EUR per month (including meal vouchers).
- Opportunity to work for a mission-focussed NGO serving EU citizens and serving as a counterbalance to the lobby of the financial sector (big banks, insurance companies and asset managers);
- Valuable and in-demand work experience in a Brussels-based NGO, including experience with research, EU policy work and grant-funded projects;
- We are a young, flexible and dynamic organisation offering an interesting work environment in the Brussels NGO sector;
- The possibility to work remotely for 2-3 days per week;
- Depending on the performance and the financial means of BETTER FINANCE at the time, the intern may be offered an employment contract at the end of the internship.
BETTER FINANCE values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We especially welcome applications from people from groups traditionally under-represented in finance.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist the BETTER FINANCE policy and research team with policy research activities, including data gathering and processing and support in the writing of research reports and policy papers;
- Assist the BETTER FINANCE policy and research team with the monitoring of key EU legislative files, especially those concerning digital finance and shareholder rights, as well as other duties that may reasonably be requested;
- Assist the team in preparing grant applications, reports and/or contracts with the European Commission and other funding entities;
- Feedback and help improving existing knowledge management tools designed for this post, including manuals, descriptions and handover notes on our internal financial and administrative processes, especially those related to the requirements of EU grant programmes;
- When requested, attend and report on meetings at the European institutions, organisations and other relevant internal and external events;
- When requested, support the team in necessary administrative tasks and organising events;
PROFILE/MAIN QUALIFICATIONS
We are looking forward to welcoming an enthusiastic team player willing to take initiative within the portfolio of assigned tasks. The ideal candidate would meet the following requirements:
Mandatory:
- Background in political science, economics or finance at master’s degree level (either possessing already a master’s degree or being in the process of obtaining one);
- Interest in investment products, financial services regulation and/or EU policy-making;
- Proficiency in data collection and analysis;
- Quick learner with an inquisitive mindset, diligent and well-structured;
- Proficiency in working with Microsoft Office;
- Fluency in English
- Candidates must be legally allowed to live and work in Belgium.
Not mandatory, but it would be considered beneficial if the applicant possessed:
- Experience with non-profit organisations (including volunteering);
- Detailed knowledge about the EU policy process;
- Experience with EU-funded projects (Erasmus+, Horizon Programme etc);
- Fluency in French (preferred) or Dutch/Flemish;
- Keen interest in consumer protection and financial markets.
START DATE: Mid-September to early October 2025
Interested candidates are invited to send their CVs and motivation letters in English to naval@betterfinance.eu. IMPORTANT: Only complete applications received via email will be considered.
Non-EU candidates are additionally asked to confirm their availability to work in Belgium.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 23:59 on Sunday, the 24th of August. However, an earlier application is advised, as we reserve the right to conclude the recruitment before the deadline.
About BETTER FINANCE
BETTER FINANCE is a non-profit international NGO based in Brussels, acting as an independent financial expertise centre for the direct benefit of European financial services users (individual shareholders, investors, savers, life insurance policyholders, pension fund participants, mortgage borrowers, etc.) and other stakeholders in European financial services who are independent of the financial industry. We currently count more than forty national and international member and sub-member organisations, representing millions of individuals. The European Union has supported BETTER FINANCE’s activities since 2012. For more information, please visit: www.BetterFinance.eu