The Federal Academy for Security Policy offers several slots for internship for students from different faculties. We differentiate in this context between an internships in the studies department of the Federal Academy and internships in the editorial office, press and public relations department.

We offer you a challenging paid internship, in the course of which you will learn to work in an interdisciplinary environment and get involved closely in academic or press and public relations activities. Moreover, you will have access to our high-key events with decision-makers from the fields of politics, administration and diplomacy as well as armed forces and law enforment.

 

Further Information

• Work areas
• Prerequisites
• Framework conditions
• Application
• General

Work areas

Policy department

As a trainee in the studies department you will support the work of our advisers. You will play an active and independent role in individual areas of conceptual preparation and practical conduct of related projects. Since it is the goal of the Federal Academy for Security Policy to impart a comprehensive concept of security, work will, on principle, be interdisciplinary in character.

The classical tasks and responsibilities of trainees in the studies department include:

• assistance in the event management of the Federal Academy (concept development, planning, preparation, conduct and evaluation), to include preparation and updating of event programs, maintenance of contacts, planning of study trips and design and support of excursions,
• independent research on security issues and security actors,
• attendance of events and visits, as appropriate, to various establishments with a security background, including support of relief services for lecturers and participants,
• event-related services and maintenance of the electronic study platform,
• attendance of meetings and events, and act as recorder, as appropriate.

In the first half of each year, the focus will be on the six-months Seminar on Security Policy, our central advanced training event. The trainees will support the seminar team in the preparation and conduct of the respective modules, in the preparation of study trips and in after-action documentation and evaluation. As regards the trainees’ time management, it is reasonable to check whether they are able to support one of the modules, including preparation and follow-up, over the entire period of time. This would result in a maximum added value for both sides. Other focal areas of activity in the first six months include the preparations for the German Forum on Security Policy and an experimental game within the scope of the Seminar on Security Policy.

In the second half of the year shorter events take place covering a diversified spectrum of subjects and participants. Here, too, the trainees closely cooperate with the seminar team and normally support an event from the start of planning to the end. As the spectrum of events is directed towards most different audiences in the security network, the trainees may in this time learn various perspectives of security. For this purpose, they may take advantage of an exclusive circle of decision-makers and experts. In addition, the planning for the following year is also done in the second half of the year, in the course of which the trainees in cooperation with the advisers may fill main subjects with contents and contribute new ideas from the fields of science and practice into our work.

 

Editorial office, press and public relations department

The interns' spectrum of tasks in this area is greatly diversified ranging from preparation of web articles, press releases and invitations to editing of brochures and other printed matters to maintenance of the Federal Academy’s website. They are in contact with media representatives, they support our special events for press and radio, and they are involved in the public relations measures of the Federal Academy for the Security Policy.

 

Prerequisites

General

The internship offer is directed exclusively at students who are enrolled throughout the period of internship at a university. As a matter of principle, participation of university and technical college graduates (including doctoral candidates), students of secondary school grades 10-13, students at vocational schools and advanced training establishments and administrative training candidates is not possible.

To achieve the greatest possible benefit for both sides, we offer internships taking three to six months that basically should be done in full time. Please note that from July to mid-August the Federal Academy for Security Policy will be closed for the summer; during this time there will be no internships.

For the duration of an internship, all costs, including expenses for traveling, billeting and subsistence in Berlin, must be borne by the interns themselves. Before applying for an internship, interested applicants should check whether they will have sufficient funds available for the duration of the internship.
 

Internship in the studies department

Requested profile:

• interest in comprehensive security issues (e.g. proved by prioritization of studies, extracurricular commitment previous on-the-job training/experience …)
• pleasure in organizing events, preparing subjects and doing research
• very good ability to express himself or herself orally and in writing in German and English
• well-versed in MS Word, PowerPoint and similar programs
• at least basic-level studies completed or third year of Bachelor studies
• work independently and reliably as directed, display creativity and be committed , open-minded and able to work in a team

Interns in the studies department of the Federal Academy for Security Policy mainly come from the fields of political science (in particular international relations, peace and conflict research), economics, history or law. However, there is no limitation for certain specialties.

 

Interns the editorial office, press and public relations department

Requested profile:

• experience in web editing and web design, knowledge of CMS (ideally: Government Site Builder), experience is using Social Media as appropriate
• well-versed in MS Word and layout programs
• very good ability to express himself or herself in writing in German and English
• at least basic-level studies completed or third year of Bachelor studies
• work independently and reliably as directed, display creativity and be committed , open-minded and able to work in a team

Students of media and communication science and other relevant courses of study are preferred as interns in the press and public relations department.
 

Framework conditions

We offer both a voluntary and a mandatory internship. Every student must check with his or her university whether and to what extent an internship at the Federal Academy for Security Policy meets the requirements for a mandatory internship in accordance with the regulations concerning academic studies. The Federal Academy cannot assume responsibility for meeting or not meeting training requirements in accordance with the provisions of the individual regulations concerning training or academic studies.

The Federal Academy for Security Policy will compensate internships on the basis of allocated funds and, in doing so, will always be oriented to the maximum rates:

• students doing a voluntary internship at the Federal Academy will receive a monthly gross payment of € 600,00. In addition they are entitled for every full month of internship to the twelfth part of their annual leave (20 days), or
• students doing a mandatory internship within the scope of their regulations concerning academic studies will receive a monthly gross expense allowance of € 900,00. Students doing mandatory internships do not have any leave entitlement.

During their internship the interns are subject to the executive authority of the Federal Academy for Security Policy. For their practical work they are assigned to our studies and adviser personnel. At the beginning of the internship they will be given a practical training contract and at the end of the internship they will receive a certificate.

Application

If you want to file an application, please forward initially a brief application by email to praktika@baks.bund.de including:

• cover letter / motivation, including the desired period of internship and the information, whether it is a voluntary or a mandatory internship,
• tabular CV,
• evidence of the jobs and the knowledge mentioned in the application ( e.g. certificates of internship) and the previous study work (BA diploma, list of marks), if relevant.

Please bear in mind that the documents are split up into three separate PDf files and that the attachment to the email is not larger than 5 MB.

Should you receive a positive intermediate reply from us, please be ready to mail the following documents:

• completed personal data sheet (form comes from us), including a passport photograph
• current certificate of enrolment
• health insurance certificate (in accordance with § 175 SGB V, original document)
• certificate of the university that the intended internship is a mandatory internship, if relevant
• copy of the certificate of birth (if applicable also certificate of marriage, certificates of birth of the children, divorce decrees, certificate of death of husband/wife)
• certificate of the tax office in charge about the wage tax deduction for the current calendar year (original)
• copy of the social security card
• personal liability insurance certificate (copy)

 

General

Unfortunately, the Federal Academy for Security Policy cannot offer permanent positions (advisers, support personnel, etc.), as our permanent staff is assigned to the Academy directly from the ministries represented in the Federal Security Council and in part also from their subordinate areas. It is even not possible to employ external lecturers.

During daily office work jeans and shirt are permitted. However, during events, presentations and seminars, including the Seminar on Security Policy, suit and costume are mandatory.

The Federal Academy has a fitness training room with associated shower facilities which may be used after close of business.