Projects Trainee

Location: Brussels
Reporting to: EU Projects Lead
Starting date: September 2025
Status: Traineeship - Convention d’immersion professionnelle (CIP) 
Working language : English 
Application deadline: 7 August 2025 (noting that interviews may start before that date) 

About the role   

• Are you dynamic, organised and ambitious? 
• Are you interested in project management and policy implementation?
• Do you want to contribute to a critical public health mission for Europe?  
• Then the European Cancer Organisation (ECO) could be looking for you!  

We are seeking a full-time Projects Trainee to join our Brussels-based team. In this role, you will support the activities of multiple high-impact projects, that focus on advancing cancer policy and research across Europe, throughout all areas of cancer care. The ideal candidate will be proactive, adaptable, and dedicated to supporting both project objectives and the broader goals of the team. Our working language is English. Candidates must already have the right to work in the EU.  

The initial period of the traineeship is six months and if the period is successful another six months may be offered. Several of our permanent staff team members started through such a traineeship.

About the Organisation

European Cancer Organisation (ECO)

The European Cancer Organisation (ECO) is a not-for-profit federation of 41 Member Societies working in fighting cancer across Europe, together with 21 European Patient Advisory Committee members through nine Focused Topic Networks. 

We bring together patients, oncology professionals and public health experts to propose new policies, advocate for change and be the united voice of the European cancer community.  

The Mission of the European Cancer Organisation is to reduce the burden of cancer, improve outcomes and the quality of care for cancer patients, through multidisciplinarity and multiprofessionalism.

What You’ll Do 

The Projects Trainee will work within the Projects team under the supervision of the EU Projects Lead.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Supporting the implementation of multiple EU projects, including activities that shape cancer policy and research across Europe;     

• Working with the projects team on the fulfilment of key project deliverables, milestones and activities in a timely manner; 

• Helping ensure the organisation’s compliance with its project responsibilities, including via liaising with partner organisations, attending and contributing to meetings and working with the team in preparing presentations, agendas and action points;

• Organising and maintaining accurate internal records, reports and project documentation; 

• Supporting the organisation of key project meetings and events, including assistance with content development and logistical coordination;
• Assisting the projects team in developing new project proposals by undertaking project management tasks, participating in meetings and contributing to proposal writing;

• Supporting stakeholder engagement by liaising with external projects relevant to cancer policy, including those in which ECO is not directly involved.

General Skill Specifications 

We are seeking a dedicated and dynamic Project Trainee with a strong interest in  supporting project delivery. Whilst familiarity with managing projects and/or the scientific/healthcare sector would be advantageous, they are not a prerequisite. We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate a willingness to learn, who are pro-active, detail orientated and have strong interpersonal and organisational skills.

Candidate Profile: Skills and Experiences 

• A keen interest in supporting the successful delivery of a range of pan-European projects in the field of oncology;
• Proactive and willingness to learn and grow professionally by diving into a range of project tasks;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and comfortable operating in a people-orientated environment to work effectively with stakeholders from different professional fields and nations;
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to think critically and work independently;
• Strong research and analytical skills with the ability to synthesise complex information;
• Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to work across multiple tasks, prioritise deadlines, retro-plan and follow internal and external workflows with precise deadlines;
• A team-player spirit with the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and external stakeholders;
• An aptitude to maintain a calm and positive attitude when faced with unforeseen circumstances;
• An ability to maintain a professional and friendly attitude, keeping the reputation of the European Cancer Organisation into consideration at all times;
• High level of discretion to maintain the confidentiality of organisational and personal information;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office is necessary, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook;
• Fluent in written and spoken in English (C1 level). Knowledge of additional European languages is an asset;
• A masters degree in public health, health economics, health policy, health management, European policy or other related fields is desirable.

The Role Offers the Successful Candidate

• The chance to contribute to vital policy and research work aimed at improving the lives of cancer patients, caregivers and their families across Europe;
• Gain hands-on experience in the development, implementation and delivery of projects in the public health sector in line with the delivery of the EU Cancer Mission and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan;

• Opportunity to work closely with top level experts working in the oncology field;

• Experience working in an international environment at a not-for-profit organisation;
• Opportunity for strong professional and personal growth in a mentoring office environment.

Application 

Interested applicants must have the right to work in the EU.

Please send your CV and cover letter), specifying  your earliest start date (including any notice period), to jack.latteur@europeancancer.org with the subject line, “Projects Trainee – [Candidate Name]”.

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview and may be asked to complete a written task as part of the application process.

Due to a high volume of applicants, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Diversity and respect are core values of our organisation. ECO welcomes applications from all individuals regardless of their gender, ethnicity, social background, religion or philosophy, age, sexual orientation and identity.

Application deadline: 7 August 2025 noting that interviews may already commence before that deadline. Recruitment is intended to be completed as soon as possible.