The Work

There are about 1,500 assistants who assist MEPs. Parliamentary Assistants undertake a variety of work, reflecting the particular interests and engagement of their MEP. The following wide-ranging activities are typical of the work involved in this role:

• Management of the Brussels office with high volume and complex administration

• Providing secretarial and office support to MEP, including: managing and responding to mail; managing MEP’s diary; responding to information requests; booking meetings; organising travel arrangements; and providing general office support

• Drafting, coordinating, political strategy and lobbying work to influence relevant legislation via Parliamentary Committees and plenaries

• Liaising with researchers of the political group, staff in the constituency office, Brussels-based NGOs and delegations, and other institutions

• Speech writing and press work as appropriate

• Desk research for reports, speeches, Parliamentary questions/letters and constituent queries

• Recruitment, management and training of stagiaires

• Organising and overseeing group visits, seminars and receptions

• Administering and overseeing expenditure of budget line for publications

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Parliamentary assistants are selected at the discretion of each sitting MEP, as a result no strict qualification framework is applicable. Qualifications vary for this role in line with MEP requirements. 

You can develop the steps in your career readiness fior the relevant career areas of: Administration, Communications, Politics & policy, Law, and Finance.  

FET Centre Traineeship: Administration, Communications, Politics & policy, Law, and Finance.NFQ Level 5 Search FET Traineeship 

FET Centre PLC Course: Administration, Communications, Politics & policy, Law, and Finance. NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses 

Higher Education CAO Entry Administration, Communications, Politics & policy, Law, and Finance. NFQ 6-8 Search CAO courses

Study In Europe Eunicas Administration, Communications, Politics & policy, Law, and Finance. [equiv NFQ/ EQF Levels] Search Eunicas Courses

MEPs

Each of the MEPs elected to the European Parliament work with at least two Parliamentary Assistants.

The employment of Parliamentary Assistants is the responsibility of each sitting MEP.  

If you are interested in working for an MEP, do some research and identify those MEPs you think you would like to work with, taking into account their political affiliations, interests and background etc., and then contact them directly.

It is also worth looking beyond Ireland when applying for these roles.  Irish graduates have worked successfully as Assistants to MEPs from different Member States.  This can allow you to make the most of your language skills or an expertise background in a certain field which matches the profile of a specific MEP.

See the European Parliament's website for information about Parliamentary Assistants working for Members of the European Parliament.

Also, the European Parliament Information Office in Ireland is available here.

Political Groups

Another pathway for those wanting to work in the European Parliament is through the Political Groups. Each European Political Group employs research and administrative staff as well as offering their own traineeships.  Vacancies for these positions are generally advertised on the group's websites.

See the individual websites of the Political Groups for specific information about their own recruitment procedures.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €66k

Basic monthly permanent official salaries range from around €2,300 per month for a newly recruited Assistant-Secretary (AST/SC 1) official, €4500 for an entry level graduate administrator grade (AD 5) and up to €16,000 per month for a limited number of top level Administrators (AD 16) at Director-General level. Each grade is broken up into five seniority steps with corresponding salary increases. Basic salaries are adjusted annually in line with inflation and purchasing power in the EU countries.

Data Source(s):
EU Salary Scales EPSO

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The changes in classification as a result of the introduction of the new Labour Force Survey in 2017 are partly responsible for the strong employment growth rate for this occupation, although employment also grew strongly between 2019 and 2020, and continued to grow in 2022. Those employed are primarily female (69%), working full-time (90%), and over half (55%) held third-level qualifications. With a higher than average share of persons employed aged 55 years and older (31% compared to 19% for all occupations), replacement demand is likely to result in opportunities opening up for these roles even if employment growth slows.

There was a significant number of vacancies advertised online for clerical officer roles across the civil service and Government administration roles. However, recent job hires for 2022 far exceeded employment growth indicating that job churn is a feature of this occupation. While job openings are set to continue, upskilling and reskilling may also be required for those already employed in these occupations in order to reach targets set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan 2024 in areas such as in digital skills.

• EU Careers - European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)

  • Candidate Contact Service, Office C-80 00/40, B1049 Brussels
  • 00800 6789 1011
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• European Movement Ireland

  • 8 Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2,
  • (0)1 662 5815
  • [email protected]
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• European Parliament Information Office in Ireland

  • 43, Molesworth Street, Dublin, 2
  • 01 - 605 7900
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• European Parliament Information Office in Ireland

  • 43, Molesworth Street, Dublin, 2
  • 01 - 605 7900
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here