Traineeship in the Budgeting and Controlling Division

General Information

Type of contract: Traineeship

Who can apply?: EU nationals eligible for our traineeship programme

Grant: The trainee grant is €1,170 per month plus an accommodation allowance (see further information section)

Working time: Full time

Place of work: Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Closing date: 24.09.2026

Your team

You will be part of the Budget and Controlling Division in the Directorate Finance. As the finance budget partner of all ECB business areas, our Division supports the planning, monitoring, reporting and controlling of resources across the ECB and provides decision-making support to internal and external stakeholders. We also deliver secretariat services for three committees and are responsible for the supervisory fee framework. Additional tasks include implementing systems innovation in the Directorate Finance and providing functional support for the ECB’s procure-to-pay process.

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.

Your role

As a trainee in the Budgeting and Controlling Division you will work on a wide range of operational and policy tasks linked to the ECB’s budget and controlling activities. Your tasks may include:

• contributing to financial data analysis;
• supporting budget planning and regular expenditure monitoring;
• helping to optimise data, knowledge management structures and analytical tools;
• assisting with reporting and forecasting;
• carrying out financial dashboard activities and IT system-related work;
• helping to improve and monitor adherence to organisational compliance frameworks and rules related to budgeting and controlling;
• contributing to project performance control from a financial perspective;
• managing system administration tasks (document management, workflow management, internal communication and team support);
• providing horizontal support for financial process across the institution, offering technical expertise and analytical insights.

The traineeship offers you excellent opportunities to gain insights into the way the ECB works, acquire hands-on experience in the area of finance and put your theoretical knowledge into practice. You will be part of a multicultural team that strives for continuous innovation to make a positive impact on the lives of European citizens.

Qualifications, experience and skills

Essential:

• a bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting, finance, business or public administration, risk management, statistics, information technology or another relevant field;
• good knowledge of the MS Office package, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint;
• an advanced (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: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages...

Desired:

• advanced knowledge of MS Excel and other data management and analysis tools;
• working knowledge of other software applications to automate and digitalise processes (e.g. VBA, Python, Mendix, Power Automate), data visualisation tools (e.g. Power BI) and enterprise resource planning systems (e.g. SAP);
• experience in data analysis and an ability to interpret data;
• knowledge of, and/or some experience in, one or more of the following fields:
• budgeting and controlling;
• accounting/finance;
• digital tools/applications for finance;
• financial statement analysis;
• natural language processing or other AI applications.

You are curious and eager to learn, and want to further develop your ability to analyse complex information. You are keen to collaborate with others, pursue team goals and learn from other people’s diverse perspectives. You strive to know and anticipate stakeholder needs, and will signal any need for change and propose alternative solutions.

You are motivated to contribute to the ECB’s mission, to serve the citizens of the EU as a member of a public institution and to work with colleagues from all over Europe. You are keen to be part of our team and to use your skills and competencies to achieve the aims of this position.

Further information

Initial traineeship of six months, with a possible extension to up to 12 months in total in the same division or in another division or section within the Directorate Finance.

Other details on the conditions applicable to traineeships at the ECB can be found on our website: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/careers/what-we-offer/traineeship/html/index.e...

For additional information on this specific vacancy, you can speak to Andria Meletlidou on +49 (0)69 1344 17770 between 09:00 and 10:00 on Thursday, 10 September, or to Luminita Dascalu on +49 (0)69 1344 4805 between 16:00 and 17:00 on Thursday, 10 September.

Application and selection process

The recruitment process for this position will include a pre-recorded video interview in the pre-selection phase and – if you are invited to participate in the subsequent selection phase – an online interview.

Further information on how to apply is available on our website: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/careers/before-you-apply/how-to-apply/html/ind...

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, from which you might be considered for other traineeship positions within the ECB.

 

Traineeship in Statistics and Data Science

General Information

Type of contract: Traineeship

Who can apply?: EU nationals eligible for our traineeship programme

Grant: The trainee grant is €1,170 per month plus an accommodation allowance (see further information section)

Working time: Full time

Place of work: Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Closing date: 01.10.2026

Your team

You will be part of the Directorate General Statistics (DG/S). Our Directorate General has over 300 staff working to strengthen Europe by supporting ECB decision-making with high-quality data and statistics. Our statistics inform central banking and banking supervision policy decisions, as well as the public at large. This is done in close collaboration with the European System of Central Banks, the European Commission, the banking industry, national competent authorities and international bodies.

In your role as a trainee, you will contribute directly to the work of the Directorate General Statistics. You will form part of a team responsible for collecting and validating data, producing, publishing and disseminating data and statistical indicators using innovative methods (including AI solutions), managing and governing data and/or metadata, and keeping the related documentation and tools fit for purpose. You will work closely with relevant stakeholders such as economists, analysts and banking supervisors. 

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.

Your role

As a trainee in DG/S you will:

• gain insights into the methodology, validation, compilation, management and publication of macroeconomic statistics and/or large-scale granular/micro datasets in a policy-oriented environment;
• work both in a team and independently under the guidance of a mentor, taking the initiative and interacting with other staff members and management;
• have an opportunity to participate in your team’s regular activities, support the development of statistical and/or metadata concepts as well as tools and processes for data and metadata management, and/or contribute to conceptual or empirical studies.

The traineeship offers you excellent opportunities to help modernise the ECB’s data and metadata management landscape in a context of rapid financial innovation and digital transformation. You will be part of a multicultural team that strives for continuous innovation to make a positive impact on the lives of European citizens. 

Qualifications, experience and skills

Essential: 

• a bachelor’s degree or higher in statistics, data science, economics, finance, mathematics, computer science, operational research or another relevant field;
• experience in using at least one of the following programming languages/statistical packages/visualisation tools: C/C++/C#, Java, Mathematica, MATLAB, Python, R, R Shiny, SAS, Scala, SQL, Stata, VB/VB.Net/VBA, Tableau, Power BI; 
• experience in data and metadata management, including collection, quality control, aggregation, visualisation and analysis;
• a good knowledge of the MS Office package;
• experience in using complex datasets, interpreting the data and presenting results;
• an advanced (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: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages...

Desired: 

• experience in programming with at least one of the following languages: C/C++/C#, Java, Python, R, R Shiny, SAS, Scala, SQL, VB/VB.Net/VBA;
• familiarity with monetary and financial statistics, macroeconomic statistics (such as financial accounts, balance of payments or price statistics), supervisory data, micro/granular financial data, reference data, household or corporate survey data, accounting, financial and risk reporting, or the governance and management of integrated data and metadata;
• familiarity with international standards for macroeconomic statistics, accounting or banking supervision;
• knowledge of financial concepts and the functioning of financial markets;
• knowledge of the techniques used in the development of applications and tools for data management, visualisation, AI or machine learning;
• knowledge of web development, content creation, digital communication and graphics. 

You are curious and eager to learn, and want to further develop your ability to analyse complex information. You are keen to collaborate with others, pursue team goals and learn from other people’s diverse perspectives. You strive to know and anticipate stakeholder needs, and will signal any need for change and propose alternative solutions.

You are motivated to contribute to the ECB’s mission, to serve the citizens of the EU as a member of a public institution and to work with colleagues from all over Europe. You are keen to be part of our team and to use your skills and competencies to achieve the aims of this position.

Further information

Initial traineeship of 6 months, with a possible extension to up to 12 months in total. The start date will be in 2027.

Other details on the conditions applicable to traineeships at the ECB can be found on our website: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/careers/what-we-offer/traineeship/html/index.e...

Application and selection process

The recruitment process for this position will include a pre-recorded video interview in the pre-selection phase and – if you are invited to participate in the subsequent selection phase – an online interview. 

Further information on how to apply is available on our website: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/careers/before-you-apply/how-to-apply/html/ind...

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, from which you might be considered for other traineeship positions within the ECB.

 

Traineeship in data protection

General Information

Type of contract: Traineeship

Who can apply?: EU nationals eligible for our traineeship programme

Grant: The trainee grant is €1,170 per month plus an accommodation allowance (see further information section)

Working time: Full time

Place of work: Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Closing date: 24.09.2026

Your team

You will be part of the ECB’s Data Protection Office. Data protection safeguards the freedoms and fundamental rights of individuals regarding how their personal data are processed. The Data Protection Officer reports directly to the ECB’s Executive Board and is responsible for ensuring that relevant EU data protection law is correctly applied at the ECB.

We are currently working on data protection issues related to cloud computing, artificial intelligence, the digital euro project and many other innovations. In your role as a Data Protection trainee, you will be part of a dynamic team of enthusiastic professionals. Our team is responsible for providing advice to colleagues across the ECB, raising awareness about data protection, investigating incidents and other matters related to data protection, liaising with the European Data Protection Supervisor and conducting data protection audits. We work closely with all ECB departments and with a network of data protection officers from other EU institutions, national central banks and national competent authorities.

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.

Your role

As a Data Protection trainee, you will:

• carry out research and prepare legal advice on data protection matters, working closely with experienced legal counsels and under the supervision of the Data Protection Officer;
• support the Data Protection Office in preparing meetings, guidance, presentations and legal analysis;
• help to evaluate requests for legal advice on data protection questions, transfers of personal data outside the European Economic Area, data subject access requests, data protection breaches, new technologies, records of processing activities, privacy statements and data protection impact assessments;
• raise awareness about data protection.

The traineeship offers you excellent opportunities to gain experience in the field of data protection in an EU context and to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during your studies. Working together with more experienced colleagues, you will have the opportunity to improve your skills and further develop as a professional. You will be part of a multicultural team that strives for continuous innovation to make a positive impact on the lives of European citizens.

Qualifications, experience and skills

Essential: 

• a bachelor’s degree or higher in law, preferably obtained in an EU Member State;
• an awareness of and interest in EU data protection law;
• a good knowledge of the MS Office package;
• an advanced (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: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages...

Desired: 

• specialisation, experience, research or a thesis in EU law or data protection law.

You are curious and eager to learn, and want to further develop your ability to analyse complex information. You are keen to collaborate with others, pursue team goals and learn from other people’s diverse perspectives. You strive to know and anticipate stakeholder needs, and will signal any need for change and propose alternative solutions.

You are motivated to contribute to the ECB’s mission, to serve the citizens of the EU as a member of a public institution and to work with colleagues from all over Europe. You are keen to be part of our team and to use your skills and competencies to achieve the aims of this position.

Further information

Initial traineeship of 6 months, with a possible extension to up to 12 months in total. The earliest starting date will be January 2027.

Other details on the conditions applicable to traineeships at the ECB can be found on our website: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/careers/what-we-offer/traineeship/html/index.e...

Application and selection process

The recruitment process for this position will include a pre-recorded video interview in the pre-selection phase and – if you are invited to participate in the subsequent selection phase – an online interview. 

Further information on how to apply is available on our website: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/careers/before-you-apply/how-to-apply/html/ind...

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, from which you might be considered for other traineeship positions within the ECB.