Sustainability – Public Affairs – Trainee Consultant

Do not use the ‘Apply now’ button. Please follow the application guidelines provided in the vacancy.” Applications submitted via the button will not be considered.

Are you passionate about promoting Sustainability, Energy, Transport, Circular Economy and Agri-food topics?  Are you a policy nerd? Are you proactive, solution-driven, willing to take the extra mile and eager to help us grow the business by delivering excellent service to our clients? Do you want to be part of an amazing team?

Then this opportunity is perfect for you!

How to apply:

We are interested in talented people who are interested in us. In your application, please take the time to explore what added value your unique personality and competences could bring to us.

To apply for this position, please send your resume (saved as: first name_surname_CV) and cover letter (saved as: first name_surname_CL) in PDF format to recruitment@acumenpa.com with a subject line of your email as “Sustainability Trainee application”.

Candidates who have a profile matching what we are looking for will then be contacted for an interview.

What we are looking for:

We are currently looking for a Trainee Consultant to join our Sustainability Team. The role includes daily monitoring of various issues (legislative and non-legislative), conducting background research, drafting newsletters and policy briefings and providing overall support to more senior staff members.

Requirements:

Essential:

• EU national or work permit holder as the traineeship is in Brussels, Belgium
• Experience gained through previous internship(s) in policy areas related to sustainability (i.e. agriculture, food, transport, energy and environment). Candidates without experience in these sectors will not be considered
• Perfect command of English; additional language skills an asset – ideally German or French
• Knowledge of the EU institutions and legislative processes
• Strong planning skills
• Advanced research and writing skills, including the ability to summarise issues quickly and accurately
• Ability to work in a team, whilst at the same time carrying out own tasks independently and to agreed deadlines
• Flexibility, enthusiasm, ability to work under tight deadlines in an international environment
• Knowledge of current developments and trends affecting Acumen and its clients’ businesses
• Proficient with IT and new media tools

Desirable:

• Previous experience/traineeship in one of the European Institutions
• Good, demonstrated command of social media – experience in organising social media campaigns
• Experience in media relations – speaking and pitching to journalists, drafting press releases and/ or opinion pieces
• Understanding of the civil society environment in Brussels

What we offer:

• A six-month paid traineeship.
• A fantastic work environment in which new ideas and approaches are more than welcome.
• Training opportunities on the job as well as dedicated trainings with experienced industry experts.
• Continuous feedback and mentorship during your traineeship, both from your manager and the team members.
• Opportunities to broaden your network, expand your knowledge and expertise in various sustainability-related topics and fast-track your career

The selected candidate will have the opportunity to work on a variety of topics and assignments spanning across a unique client portfolio.

Starting date: January 2026

About Acumen:

At Acumen, we have built a culture to meaningfully shape policy and deliver impact that lasts. We bring more than an experienced counsel and a winning record to the table. We pride ourselves in being the kind of advisers that clients want at their side during their most complex, difficult decisions. Passionate, committed, and genuinely client-focused, we take pride in offering forward-thinking strategy and steady support. We are always looking for the best talent to contribute to our purpose. Acumen is not just a great place to work; it’s a place where you can make a real difference.

At Acumen, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diverse backgrounds and perspectives are respected and valued. We ensure all qualified applicants are considered regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, nationality, language, religion, disability, age, or socio-economic status.

We believe that our team’s diverse experiences and viewpoints are key to driving innovation and success, and we are dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.

We look forward to meeting you!

The Acumen Team

For more interesting opportunities within our company, please see our website: https://acumenpa.com/careers/