🇫🇷 Traineeship in France ⚖️ Governance, Legal, Supervision and Policy at the European Securities and Markets Authority 📋 (€1,397.88–€2,096.82/month)

If you are drawn to law, policy, governance, or financial supervision, this ESMA traineeship in Paris offers a rare chance to work at the centre of EU securities regulation. You will support real legal, policy, and supervisory work alongside experienced professionals, develop your skills in a multicultural environment, and join a strong trainee community in the heart of Paris, all with a solid monthly grant.

About ESMA

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is an independent EU Authority that works to enhance investor protection and promote stable and orderly financial markets. ESMA is committed to ensuring the integrity, transparency, efficiency, and orderly functioning of securities markets, as well as enhancing investor protection.

Why Choose ESMA

🛠️ Hands-on experience: as a trainee, you will contribute to real projects and gain valuable professional experience, working alongside experienced professionals on meaningful tasks that develop your skills and knowledge

🌍 Multicultural environment: ESMA is a diverse and inclusive workplace where you will collaborate with colleagues from various EU countries and gain a broader perspective on financial markets, while the trainees form a strong community and explore Paris together

📈 Career growth: this traineeship is an excellent opportunity to enhance your skills and build your career in the financial sector, with guidance from supervisors and access to training and development opportunities

Who They Are Looking For

🇪🇺 Eligibility: EU/EEA nationals with a good level of English

🎓 You should be a graduate or undergraduate student in fields such as legal studies, business administration, economics, finance, public administration, or other related disciplines

✍️ Skills: a degree in legal studies, business administration, economics, finance, public administration, or a similar field, good drafting skills in English, knowledge of Microsoft applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams), strong organisational and communication skills, and a teamwork aptitude and initiative

⚖️ Knowledge of or experience in EU or financial law is beneficial

Main Duties

Depending on your specific domain, you will be involved in a variety of tasks.

Support governance activities:

🏛️ Organisation and support to governance bodies and decision-making processes

📊 Planning and reporting processes

🤝 International and inter-institutional cooperation and stakeholder management

Support legal activities:

⚖️ Conducting legal analysis of files and dealing with legal requests

💬 Interacting with internal and external stakeholders on legal questions

📚 Researching and analysing legal sources such as EU regulations, legislation, legal articles, and treaties

Support supervision activities:

🔍 Supervisory risk analysis

📋 Developing supervisory work programmes

🤝 Coordination tasks with other competent authorities in the context of the supervision of CRAs, CCPs, EMIR data reporting, and data quality initiatives

✅ Assessing applications for registration

🕵️ Thematic and individual investigations into registered firms

🎓 Supervisory convergence initiatives and organising trainings for National Competent Authorities

Support policy activities:

🗂️ Supporting the tasks of the Standing Committees, groups, and sub-groups responsible for conducting or preparing ESMA's work in each policy area

📝 Contributing to drafting, including formatting technical advice, technical standards, guidelines, and recommendations under the relevant regulations and directives

🔬 Desk-based research and preparing summaries of policy-related reports

📨 Analysing and summarising feedback from stakeholders, for example in the context of open public consultations

The Details

📍 Location: Paris, France

⏳ Duration: 6 to 12 months, starting from September 2026 to June 2027

💶 Monthly grant: €2,096.82 for graduate traineeships, €1,397.88 for undergraduate traineeships

🇪🇺 Eligibility: EU/EEA nationals

How to Apply

Submit your application through ESMA's e-Recruitment tool, completing all sections in English. After the application deadline, you will receive a survey with additional questions designed to help hiring managers identify the most suitable candidates, complementing your application and enhancing its visibility during assessment.

ESMA values diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or disability.