Internship at the Dutch Embassy in Madrid

Description

Summary: The Dutch Embassy in Madrid is seeking a proactive and ambitious intern for the Economic Department to contribute to informing Dutch companies about the Spanish market and trade promotion activities. Highlights: 1. Challenging internship with responsibility and varied tasks 2. Gain experience in trade promotion and contact with Dutch companies 3. Opportunity to undertake a learning assignment aligned with your personal interests * Madrid * Wo, University Master, HBO * 40 hours * €800 * International * 1 Sep. 2026 \- 26 Feb. 2027 Apply by 30 May 2026 **What you will do** ------------------ The Dutch Embassy in Madrid is looking for an intern for the period 01\-09\-2026 to 26\-02\-2027\. The Dutch Embassy in Madrid is looking for an intern for the Economic Department (EA) for the period 1\-09\-2026 to 26\-02\-2027\. The EA team, as of 1 September, consists of a department head, 2.5 permanent staff members, and one project staff member for sporttech/WC2030\. In addition, we regularly work with interns. The priorities of the Economic Department (EA) team lie in digitalisation (ICT, digital transformation, e-health, cybersecurity, AI, etc.) and energy transition (sustainable energy/offshore wind energy, etc.). These priorities encompass both macroeconomic topics (EU policy, Next Generation EU funds, Spanish economic policy, etc.) and trade and investment promotion. As an intern in the Economic Department of the embassy in Madrid, you will be an important and integral part of the team. You will support the EA team and contribute to a broad range of tasks. Informing Dutch companies about the Spanish market constitutes the main component of your internship. In this context, you will update and maintain content on our Digital Trade Office, www.handelmetspanje.com, and post messages on our social media channels (primarily LinkedIn). You will monitor developments across various sectors in Spain by reading local press and attending external information sessions and events, reporting on them accordingly. You will deepen your understanding to identify opportunities for Dutch businesses and report on these. Furthermore, you will actively contribute ideas and support the execution of trade promotion activities, such as seminars, presentations, trade missions or other events, and assist, where necessary, in preparing (official or political) visits from the Netherlands. Logistical and other practical tasks also fall within your responsibilities. The precise substantive content of your internship further depends on your own initiative and ambitions. **What you get** ---------------- * €800 * Observational internship * 1 Sep. 2026 \- 26 Feb. 2027 * 40 hours **What we ask** ------------------ * You are enrolled in a relevant HBO or university programme and preferably have completed your bachelor’s phase. * You are creative with words and excel at writing texts. Flawless Dutch is required. * You have strong command of the Spanish language, at least B2 level, both spoken and written (the working language within EA is Spanish). * You possess basic knowledge of current affairs in Spain. * You have foundational knowledge of and/or affinity with digital tools (cloud applications, website management systems, etc.) and trends, and understand the ins and outs of social media and how to deploy them to achieve communication objectives. * You possess knowledge of and broad interest in political, economic and societal developments in both the Netherlands and Spain, as well as elsewhere in the world. * You are ambitious, proactive, meticulous, energetic and flexible. You are also self-critical and take responsibility for your own actions. After an initial orientation period, you can work independently and handle short deadlines. * You are socially skilled, not shy about attending networking and information sessions, a team player, and able to cope well with high workloads. **Where you will work** ------------------------- ### **More about Madrid** The embassy represents Dutch interests in Spain. Our core responsibilities in Spain cover politics, security, economy and trade, consular affairs, public outreach, culture and media. The embassy reports on the political and economic situation in Spain, monitors Spanish government policy, communicates Dutch positions, initiates public diplomacy activities and supports Dutch entrepreneurs wishing to do business in Spain. We do so in collaboration with the Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO) in Barcelona and Valencia and the Agricultural Department in Madrid, and through our Digital Trade Office Home \- handelmetspanje.com \- and our social media channels. We maintain an extensive network with governments, businesses and civil society organisations. ### **About the Ministry of Foreign Affairs** The world is changing rapidly. At a time when geopolitical tensions are growing and the international environment becoming increasingly turbulent, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) stands squarely at the heart of global change. MFA’s work goes beyond policy alone: we ensure that the interests of Dutch citizens worldwide are safeguarded, that our values remain intact and that our freedoms are protected. In doing so, we continually seek the right balance among values, prosperity and resilience. These are not easy trade-offs — but precisely here lies MFA’s impact. Working as one team, MFA collaborates with other ministries, each contributing their specific role and expertise, to guide decisions affecting us all. From The Hague and around the world, we act daily to make the Netherlands stronger and safer. We serve as the link between the Dutch government, foreign governments and international organisations. The ministry coordinates the Dutch government’s foreign policy, including development aid, and implements it. We build stability and security, but also create opportunities: for Dutch citizens living, working or travelling abroad, and for businesses seeking international markets. Thus, we contribute to economic growth benefiting Dutch prosperity, and to a safe, just and sustainable world. With 157 embassies, consulates-general and permanent representations, we are present worldwide. Together with over 3,200 colleagues in The Hague, 800 posted MFA staff, 360 attachés and liaisons, and more than 2,200 local staff, we form a powerful network delivering Dutch foreign policy. **Diversity and inclusion**MFA pursues an active diversity policy and strives for an inclusive organisation where each team comprises colleagues with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and personal characteristics such as gender (identity) and sexual orientation, culture and age. We also aim for MFA to reflect Dutch society and for local colleagues at our posts to reflect local societies. We achieve this by optimally deploying and utilising people’s talents and by pursuing diversity — including in gender, socio-cultural background and age — when composing teams and recruiting new talent. **Additional information** ------------------ * We ask you to apply via the ‘Apply’ button. * Selection interviews will take place in June 2026. * Part of the selection interview will be conducted in Spanish. **What we offer** We offer a challenging internship with responsibility and varied tasks in a pleasant and dynamic team. You will also gain experience in trade promotion work at the embassy and connect with Dutch companies wishing to do business in Spain or already active there. In short: never a dull moment! Learning assignment: In consultation with your internship supervisor at the embassy, you will also work on a learning assignment during your internship aligned with your interests and the embassy’s priorities. Examples include contributing to activities and reports related to digitalisation in its broadest sense (startups, AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing, etc.). We are naturally also interested in your own suggestions for a suitable learning assignment. General supplementary grant: During the internship, you will receive a limited internship and housing allowance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This allowance may not always fully cover costs. In some cases, an additional grant may be available. For more information, visit wilweg.nl. **Terms and allowances** General terms and allowances can be found on this website. **Feel free to ask your question** ------------------------ ### **More information about this vacancy** #### **Clara-van Willigen** Clara-van.willigen@minbuza.nl \+34609102874