The European Space Agency (ESA) is looking for an intern to support the Head of Protocol in the Protocol Office of the Director General's Cabinet at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France. The work covers protocol coordination, VIP relations, event management and guest operations. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub we went through the full vacancy and set out every detail.
The Vacancy at a Glance
The internship sits in ESA's Director General's Services Directorate and is based at ESA Headquarters in Paris. These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 20936
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🗂️ Directorate: Director General's Services
📍 Workplace: Paris, FR
🏢 Location: ESA Headquarters, Paris, France
📣 Publication method: External Only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
The Protocol Office and Its Mission
The Protocol Office is part of the Director General's Cabinet and supports the Director General's engagement with ESA Member States, institutional partners, industry representatives, diplomatic missions and other high-level stakeholders. The office is responsible for coordinating protocol activities across ESA, ensuring consistency in the application of protocol rules and standards, and promoting best practices throughout the Agency.
What the Team Manages
Under the leadership of the Head of Protocol, the team manages the protocol aspects of official visits, high-level meetings and events at ESA Headquarters and ESA establishments. It also coordinates guest operations for major launch campaigns and mission milestone events, ensuring a professional experience for VIP guests and stakeholders while safeguarding ESA's institutional image and reputation.
Who the Protocol Office Works With
The Protocol Office works closely with a wide circle of partners to facilitate high-level interactions and represent ESA on protocol-related matters:
🏙️ ESA Directorates and Establishments
🗳️ Member States' delegations
🎩 diplomatic missions
🚀 launch service providers
💬 communication teams
🤲 external partners
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website, which is listed in the Links section below.
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Your Role Supporting the Head of Protocol
You will support the Head of Protocol in a broad range of activities related to protocol coordination, VIP relations, event management and guest operations. Depending on operational priorities, tasks may include the four areas of work set out in the sections below.
Protocol and VIP Relations
In this area your tasks may include:
✉️ supporting the preparation of official visits by ministers, ambassadors, heads of agencies and other high-level stakeholders
📑 assisting in the preparation of briefing material, guest profiles and protocol documentation
📇 contributing to the maintenance of VIP and diplomatic contact databases
📚 supporting research on protocol practices, diplomatic etiquette and international protocol standards
Events and Guest Operations
In this area your tasks may include:
🥂 assisting in the planning and execution of high-level ESA events, receptions, inaugurations and official ceremonies
🪪 supporting guest registration and accreditation processes
🪑 assisting with seating plans, order of precedence, flag arrangements and ceremonial aspects of events
🛰️ contributing to the coordination of VIP participation in ESA launch campaigns and mission milestone events
🎁 supporting the coordination and management of protocol gifts for high-level guests, official visits and institutional events
Coordination and Communication
In this area your tasks may include:
🧵 liaising with ESA establishments, directorates and external partners on protocol-related matters
📬 supporting the coordination of invitations, guest correspondence and event logistics
🖥️ assisting in the preparation of protocol guidelines, presentations and internal communication material
Policy and Knowledge Management
In this area your tasks may include:
📖 contributing to the continuous development of the ESA Protocol and Guest Operations Handbook and related guidance material
🕸️ supporting the ESA-wide protocol network by gathering and sharing best practices
📊 assisting in the preparation of reports, statistics and lessons learned from events and launch campaigns
What You Will Learn
Through this internship, you will gain practical experience in:
⚖️ international and institutional protocol
🧑💼 stakeholder and VIP relationship management
🗓️ event and project coordination
🌌 guest operations for major international space events and launch campaigns
🌏 working within a multicultural and international environment at the European Space Agency
A High-Visibility Internship
The vacancy describes this internship as a unique opportunity to contribute to the preparation and delivery of high-visibility ESA activities involving senior government representatives, diplomats, industry leaders and international partners.
Duration and Start Date
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, an ESA internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027 onwards, with the exact start date agreed with the ESA tutor.
Who Can Apply: Education
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
Language Requirements
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
Which Nationalities Can Apply
Applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
Behavioural Competencies
Six behavioural competencies are listed. For more information, the vacancy refers candidates to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
🎯 Result Orientation
⚡ Operational Efficiency
🙋 Fostering Cooperation
🧩 Relationship Management
🔄 Continuous Improvement
🔭 Forward Thinking
Selection: Motivation Interview and Tests
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. During the recruitment process, the Agency may also request applicants to undergo selection tests.
How Many Vacancies You Can Apply For
ESA's 2027 student internship announcement states that a candidate can apply for a maximum of two vacancies.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness at ESA
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. Applications are welcome from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
Support for Applicants With Disabilities
At the Agency diversity is valued, and people with disabilities are welcome. Whenever possible, ESA seeks to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process, and its contact address is listed in the Links section below.
A Note on the Published Conditions
The information published on ESA's careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.
Applying Through the Official ESA Careers Page
Applications go through ESA's own careers website, and the full vacancy text is published there. You can find more opportunities like this one in the internships section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Protocol Office intern role about?
The intern supports the Head of Protocol in the Director General's Cabinet in a broad range of activities related to protocol coordination, VIP relations, event management and guest operations. Depending on operational priorities, tasks may include preparing official visits, assisting with events and ceremonies, coordinating invitations and contributing to the ESA Protocol and Guest Operations Handbook.
Where is the Protocol Office internship based?
The internship is based at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France, in the Director General's Services Directorate. The workplace is listed as Paris, FR.
What does the Protocol Office do?
The Protocol Office supports the Director General's engagement with ESA Member States, institutional partners, industry representatives, diplomatic missions and other high-level stakeholders. It coordinates protocol activities across ESA, manages the protocol aspects of official visits, high-level meetings and events, and coordinates guest operations for major launch campaigns and mission milestone events.
Will I work on launch campaigns and mission events?
Tasks may include contributing to the coordination of VIP participation in ESA launch campaigns and mission milestone events. The vacancy also lists guest operations for major international space events and launch campaigns among the areas you will gain experience in.
Who can apply in terms of education?
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a Master's level course. You must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the whole duration of the internship.
Which nationalities can apply?
Applications are only considered from nationals of ESA's listed states: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Applicants from Canada (Cooperating State) and from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta (European Cooperating States) can apply as well.
Which languages do I need?
The working languages of the Agency are English and French, and a good knowledge of one of them is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
How long does the internship last?
According to ESA's 2027 student internship announcement, ESA internships last 3 to 6 months and start from February 2027 onwards, with the start date agreed with the ESA tutor.
How many internship vacancies can I apply for?
A candidate can apply for a maximum of two vacancies, according to ESA's 2027 student internship announcement.
Does the vacancy mention an allowance?
The vacancy page does not state any allowance or stipend. It also does not mention Erasmus+.
What happens after I apply?
The Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests during the recruitment process. During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
What is the application deadline?
The closing date is 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026 (23:59 CET/CEST)
Links
🔗 Job description and application: https://jobs.esa.int/job/Paris-Intern-in-the-Director-General's-Cabinet-Protocol-Office/1452917933/
🌐 European Space Agency: http://www.esa.int
📋 ESA Student Internships 2027 announcement: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
📨 ESA Human Resources (disability support and recruitment assistance): ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
