The Deutsche Industrie- und Handelskammer is hiring a Referentin/Referent for European Education and Employment Policy at its Brussels office, with applications closing on 1 October 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we read through the German-language listing in full, because this is the kind of Brussels policy role that rarely gets translated for an English-reading audience, and the responsibilities are worth understanding properly before you apply.
This is not an entry-level policy internship. It is a single-person representation role, and the person in it becomes the first point of contact for an entire policy area.
The Organisation Behind the Role
The Deutsche Industrie- und Handelskammer, DIHK, is the umbrella organisation of the 79 German Chambers of Industry and Commerce. It represents German business interests to federal policymakers and to the European institutions, and it also coordinates the worldwide network of bilateral German Chambers of Commerce Abroad, present in more than 90 countries.
🇪🇺 To strengthen the team in Brussels, within the further education department, DIHK is looking for a Referentin/Referent for European education and employment policy, starting as soon as possible.
📊 The reasoning behind the role is direct: the many European initiatives and funding programmes in education and the labour market are highly relevant for companies in Germany, so DIHK needs to identify EU-side developments early and help shape them in the interest of German business.
What the Role Actually Covers
🗣️ As a member of the DIHK office community in Brussels and the DIHK further education department in Berlin, you become the first point of contact on questions of European education and employment policy. In regular coordination with colleagues in DIHK Berlin, you represent the interests of German business to decision-makers at European level, in relevant federal ministries, and in other institutions dealing with EU education and employment policy.
🔍 You identify education and employment policy trends and political initiatives at EU level relevant to securing skilled labour, and organise the opinion-forming process within the Chamber organisation in coordination with the regional Chambers and the relevant DIHK departments.
📡 You act as the central information interface for colleagues in DIHK Berlin on the latest education and employment policy developments and trends around securing skilled labour at EU level, ensuring information flows to the responsible departments and systematically building networks in Brussels.
✍️ Drafting position papers, statements, newsletters and press releases on aspects of European education policy is also part of the role.
🤝 You are an important contact point within DIHK for colleagues at the European chamber organisations working on education and skilled labour, maintaining that network and actively shaping the education policy work of the European chamber umbrella body, Eurochambres.
🎤 You organise events and give presentations on current EU education and employment policy topics, creating space for discussion and making DIHK's positioning and work visible in both internal and external settings.
What You Would Need to Bring
🎓 A degree from higher vocational education (Höhere Berufsbildung) or a completed university degree.
🌐 An existing network of political contacts at Brussels and, where relevant, federal level, or genuine enthusiasm for building one quickly and continuously.
✍️ The ability to write for the intended audience, to make complex education and employment policy questions understandable, and to present comfortably to smaller and larger groups.
🗣️ Excellent English and German language skills, with knowledge of a further language such as French seen as ideal.
🧠 A structured, conscientious way of working and analytical thinking.
💪 A very independent, self-responsible way of working that is at the same time team-oriented.
🎯 A strong service orientation, taken as a given.
📈 Professional experience in vocational education, labour market policy or aspects of securing skilled labour is helpful, though not stated as mandatory.
🏛️ Experience in chambers, associations or a business environment, and in cooperation with federal or state-level ministries, is an advantage.
✈️ Willingness for occasional business travel, including regular stays at DIHK in Berlin.
What DIHK Offers
🏢 A modern workplace in the European Quarter in Brussels.
🏠 The possibility of mobile working.
💰 Employer-financed company pension provision.
🌴 30 days of annual leave.
🚇 Reimbursement of the public transport ticket.
🍽️ A meal allowance (Verpflegungszuschuss).
Who Can Apply, in Practice
🇩🇪 The listing does not state a nationality restriction, but the excellent German requirement, the Brussels base, and the standard EU work authorisation questions on the application portal make this a role realistically suited to candidates who already have the right to work in Belgium and native or near-native German.
🌍 The listing welcomes applications regardless of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, origin, skin colour, religion or belief, and gives particular consideration, in cases of equal suitability, to people with recognised severe disabilities.
How to Apply
📝 Applications go through DIHK's own online career portal, where you upload your CV and, ideally, a full set of application documents. The portal also asks for your desired weekly working hours and your expected gross annual salary, since no figure is published in the listing itself.
📅 Applications are accepted through 1 October 2026 inclusive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the application deadline?
1 October 2026, inclusive, submitted through DIHK's online career portal.
Is a salary published?
No. The application itself asks for your expected gross annual salary rather than DIHK publishing a figure.
Where is the role based?
Brussels, Belgium, with regular travel to DIHK's office in Berlin.
Do I need to speak German?
Yes. Excellent German and English are both required, with French seen as an ideal addition.
What does DIHK actually do?
It is the umbrella body for Germany's 79 regional Chambers of Industry and Commerce, representing German business to federal and EU policymakers and coordinating the worldwide network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad.
Is this an entry-level role?
No. You become the first point of contact on an entire policy area, representing DIHK's position to European and federal decision-makers, which points to a role with real prior grounding in education or employment policy rather than a first job out of university.
Deadline
⏳ 1 October 2026
Applications are open through 1 October 2026 inclusive, submitted through DIHK's own online career portal. Find more Jobs on Youth Works Hub.
