The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) is an international organisation which monitors compliance with the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA Agreement) in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, enabling those States to participate in the Internal Market of the European Union.
ESA's work helps remove barriers to trade and open up new opportunities to over 450 million Europeans, creating jobs and growth and adding to the international competitiveness of the States.
ESA currently employs staff members of 22 different nationalities from across the EEA. Based in Brussels, ESA is collocated within the EFTA House with its sister organisations the EFTA Secretariat and the EEA and Norway Grants (FMO).
ESA is led by a College of three members, appointed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. It is divided into the following departments: Administration, Internal Market Affairs Directorate, Competition and State Aid Directorate and Legal and Executive Affairs Department.
Communications Junior Professionals 2026/27
The EFTA Surveillance Authority’s (ESA) Junior Professionals Programme is a unique opportunity for recent graduates to launch their careers in an international environment. Over 11 months you will live and work in Brussels, and gain hands-on experience in international affairs by supporting ESA’s mission of monitoring and enforcing the EEA Agreement.
Through structured mentoring and guidance from leading experts, you will develop and sharpen your skills while contributing to an organisation that helps ensure a fair and well-functioning Internal Market across the EEA, benefiting citizens and businesses in over 450 million Europeans. The programme offers a unique chance to learn, collaborate, and grow in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary international team.
The Communications team ensures ESA’s work and the value of the EEA Agreement are clearly communicated to the public, stakeholders, and media. As a Junior Professional, you will assist in preparing communication materials, supporting media and outreach activities, and maintaining ESA’s digital presence, gaining hands-on experience in an international environment.
Role Description
As a Junior Professional, your main tasks include:
- Coordinate the drafting, approval and distribution of press releases
- Maintain and update ESA’s external website, social media channels and intranet content
- Support the planning, coordination and communication of events
- Contribute to media outreach and relations with journalists and external stakeholders
- Edit, produce and publish the Annual Report, brochures and other communication materials
- Prepare and deliver presentations showcasing ESA’s role and activities
- Manage and respond to requests for access to documents
Essential Skills
- Applicants must be nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway. Exceptionally, EU and EFTA nationals who can demonstrate close links with Liechtenstein may also be considered
- Applicants should have completed or expect to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications, journalism, European studies, political science, international relations or a related field prior to 1 September 2026
- Interest in the EEA, its institutions, and the cooperation between EEA EFTA States and the EU
- Excellent command of written and spoken English, the working language of ESA
- Native-level proficiency in either Norwegian or Icelandic due to the nature of the communication work
- A working knowledge of German would be advantageous
- Relevant work experience in media and communications would be advantageous, as would experience of working with social media, photography or photo editing
- Experience of working with website CMS platforms (notably Drupal) would be advantageous
- Engaged, proactive and well-organised, able to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team
- Ability to work in a dynamic and multi-disciplinary international environment
Other information
What we offer
The Junior Professionals Programme at ESA is a paid position. Junior Professionals receive:
- A monthly allowance of 2,005.18 EUR
- A furnished, private studio in Brussels
- Utility and internet costs covered, and a mobile phone provided
- Health, life, invalidity, and travel insurance
- Reimbursement of travel costs upon taking up and leaving the Programme
- An allowance for language training costs
Tax conditions are favourable.
For more insight into the Programme, click here.
In the interests of ensuring that the Junior Professional positions are open to as wide a group of individuals as possible, current and former Junior Professionals of the EFTA Secretariat/Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) will not be eligible to apply for ESA Junior Professional positions. Current and former Trainees of the EFTA Court will, however, be eligible to apply in light of the short-term nature of traineeships in the Court as compared with those in the Secretariat/FMO.
Application procedure:
For any questions regarding the Junior Professionals Programme, please contact the HR team at esa_hr@eftasurv.int.
Application Timeline
- Deadline for applications: 15 February 2026 (midnight CET)
- Tests and remote interviews: mid-February to end of March 2026
- Notification to successful and unsuccessful applicants: by mid-April 2026
- Onboarding: from mid-April 2026
- Start date: 1 September 2026