View Vacancy – Trade and Investment Intern (FRA25.068)

Who we are

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) team based in the British Embassy Paris is recruiting three six-month internships from September 2025 to February 2026. Economic growth is a top priority for the UK government. 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, the British Consulate in Bordeaux and our office in Lyon. Interns will join a welcoming and dynamic group of around 35 colleagues focused on improving commercial ties with France, our fourth largest trading partner and fifth largest investor.

What we offer

In return, 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.

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.

We believe that teams are most effective when they reflect the diversity of the public we serve. We encourage applications from candidates who may not have considered a career in economic and trade diplomacy before, including from traditionally under-represented socio-economic backgrounds. We also welcome applications from those who – while highly motivated by international trade – may incorrectly believe that their academic background or English language competence would make them unsuccessful in competing for these roles.

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. 

• Full professional proficiency in English and French (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*).
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word and Power Point).
• A demonstrable interest in current affairs, business and international trade, but not 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.