View Vacancy – Trade and Investment Interns, Department for Business and Trade, British Embassy Paris (FRA26.038)
/*generated inline style */
Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT)
/*generated inline style */
Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
/*generated inline style */
Who are we?
The British Embassy in Paris is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. It is also part of the UK’s France Network. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) at the British Embassy in Paris is currently looking for three Investment and Trade Interns.
We focus on driving growth for the UK through trade and investment, preparing our economy for the future by developing and growing British business. We manage relationships with businesses and government to secure French investment into the UK, improve market access, grow UK exports, and promote the UK’s trade policy interests.
The DBT team in France works from the British Embassy in Paris and our office in Lyon. Interns will join a welcoming and dynamic group of around 30 colleagues focused on improving commercial ties with France, our fifth largest trading partner and investor.
We are looking for ambitious candidates with a drive to make the most of the opportunities available to them by the internship. The work will be demanding and, to get the most from this opportunity, interns should be flexible, committed self-starters able to juggle priorities and work on a wide variety of projects on tight timelines. Should successful candidates have an interest or relevant experience in a particular area of the team’s work, we will do our best to assign projects and tasks that align with those preferences.
Why you should apply:
We offer real responsibility in a dynamic and collegiate environment. There will be opportunities to collaborate with colleagues working across the Embassy on cross-cutting issues such as economic relations, science & innovation, and communications & outreach. We are committed to providing all interns with substantive professional development.
These six-month internships are an excellent introduction to how the UK government supports businesses that are expanding internationally and, more generally, to how the commercial section of an Embassy works. They are a fantastic springboard for future careers in government and the private sector. Previous interns have gone on to secure permanent roles in the DBT France team or work elsewhere in the UK Government.
Roles and responsibilities
Interns will gain a combination of research, drafting and advisory skills; analytical and commercial skills, as well as the ability to deliver at pace through a balance of operational and project-based tasks. Roles and responsibilities are varied and typically include:
- Account management – Engaging with French buyers and investors to support their investment into the UK and identify export opportunities for UK companies. A key part of this work involves advising senior officials and ministers on relationship management of senior business leaders and briefing them to engage effectively to secure trade and investment opportunities.
- Research – Undertaking research to inform strategic decision making across key policy topics that are relevant to UK commercial interests. This work could involve researching political trends and emerging legislation in France to understand risks and opportunities to UK market access and trade policy interests, then proposing engagement and influencing strategies to senior officials and ministers.
- Export lead generation – Providing tailored information and support to UK companies in a variety of sectors, including new exporters and companies new to the French market. Identification of companies that could be interested in establishing a presence in the UK matching their expertise to opportunities in the UK market.
- Events and briefing support – Supporting the organisation and delivery of events aimed at supporting UK exporters to access the French market and French companies to learn about the UK as an investment destination. Supporting the drafting of briefings for senior officials and ministers. Interns regularly support teams working in different sectors on a variety of high-profile events – including associated logistics and briefings.
/*generated inline style */
Essential on arrival:
- Excellent French and English language skills (both written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR*);
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word and Power Point);
- Currently enrolled in a university/higher education establishment and in a position to provide an internship agreement “Convention de stage”;
- A demonstrable interest in current affairs, business and international trade (necessarily through academia);
- An enthusiastic, flexible, committed self-starter, with a high-level of motivation and willingness to learn;
- Ability to work as part of a team as well as on own initiative when required;
- Ability to work under pressure and to juggle competing deadlines;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
/*generated inline style */
Nice to have:
- Experience in a client-facing role, or customer service experience;
- Experience of working in a project-based environment or of juggling competing priorities, whether in a work or personal context.
/*generated inline style */
Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture
/*generated inline style */
8 February 2026
/*generated inline style */
Internship
/*generated inline style */
Full-time, Intern, Fixed Term
/*generated inline style */
35
/*generated inline style */
6 months
/*generated inline style */
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
/*generated inline style */
France
/*generated inline style */
Paris
/*generated inline style */
British Embassy
/*generated inline style */
3
/*generated inline style */
EUR
/*generated inline style */
monthly
/*generated inline style */
€1,000 gross per month
/*generated inline style */
4 May 2026
/*generated inline style */
This is a full- time internship contract for 6 months. The position is based on a 35 hour week. The monthly allowance is 1000€ (gross). In addition, staff receive meal contribution and the Embassy covers 50% of the cost of candidates’ Navigo Pass.
Europe DBT network and the British Embassy in Paris are a rewarding and exciting place to work, offering:
- Scope for personal and professional development: Excellent networks and opportunities for support, including mentoring, coaching, job shadowing and secondments.
- Strong offer for learning and development, including dedicated L&D days;
- An equal, diverse and engaged workplace.
- Work-life balance.
All appointments are subject to professional background check satisfactory security clearance. The successful applicant will be required to provide a copy of his/her passport or national identity card for all nationalities held, an up-to-date criminal record (casier judiciaire) for recent countries of residence (which can be obtained online at https://www.cjn.justice.gouv.fr/cjn/b3/eje20), two written proofs of address (utility invoices and/or bank statements) and two references.
Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Paris in France are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local French employment law and FCO guidance for Local Staff. The posts we offer are not an entry point into the UK’s Diplomatic Service.
Your application will only be considered if you follow the guidance below:
- Your application must be sent in English only.
- Your application must clearly indicate all nationalities you hold.
The successful candidates will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.
The start date mentioned in the advert is just an expected start date. The appointment can start earlier or later depending on several factors.
Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in France and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.
Learning and Development opportunities: The France Network puts a very strong emphasis on L&D and the jobholder will be able to benefit from opportunities offered by the International Academy and civil service learning, as well as informal opportunities within the Embassy on topics.
The DBT France network has a strong ethos of Learning & Development, including internal L&D courses and a budget that can be used for external opportunities. In addition, there will be many opportunities to attend seminars and events on relevant issues. This is in addition to the induction programme offered to all staff.
The successful applicant will be encouraged to be actively involved in the corporate life of the British Embassy, contributing to the wider objectives of the British Government’s through the France network and supporting the British Embassy’s positive working environment.
Working Pattern: The position is based on a 35- hour working week.
Flexible working will be given due consideration in line with candidate’s individual circumstances. Nevertheless, the successful intern must be able to work 3 days per week full time at a minimum. Interns cannot do their internship remotely or abroad and are expected to be in the office for most of their internship. Some flexible working days can be agreed with their line manager where necessary.
Equal employment
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with protected characteristics. DBT Europe and the FCDO France Network want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us, regardless of their background.
Further information
Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.
/*generated inline style */
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
Please be advised that the British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.
*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.
The British Embassy Paris wants to create a diverse, inclusive and friendly environment in which people can perform at their best because they feel supported; are able to be themselves in the workplace; and have opportunities to develop and grow. We want all our colleagues, regardless of grade, background or experience, to share our strong sense of purpose and ambition to deliver the best possible outcomes.
We know that diversity of background, experience and thought will help us achieve our goals. We actively encourage applications from colleagues from Minority Ethnic and underrepresented backgrounds and from groups with protected characteristics.
Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
/*generated inline style */
/*generated inline style */
/*generated inline style */
This opportunity is closed to applications.
To apply please copy and paste this link: https://fco.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/candidate/jobboard/vacancy/1/adv/
To help us track our recruitment effort, please specify on the application form/indicate in your cover letter where (ngotenders.net) you saw this job posting.
