Position description
Are you passionate about European policy-making and eager to help support financial stability and integration in Europe?
ECSDA is looking for a dynamic, motivated Policy, Economic and Operations Officer to join our team as a young professional.
This role offers a unique opportunity to support European competitiveness by practical contribution to the Savings and Investments Union (SIU) and harmonisation of market practices.
Central Securities Depositories (CSDs) support the European and international companies by helping them to finance their growth by issuing securities (shares, debt and other financial instruments) and rendering them transferable with full legal certainty on financial markets locally and cross-border.
ECSDA Members are critical financial infrastructures in each European Member State, and are front-running innovation in Europe and globally. ECSDA supports ethical and trusted finance. Our Members use different new and proven technologies to provide services with a high level of risk management and resilience, which addresses the constantly evolving needs of European issuers and investors most diligently and safely.
Your Role:
As part of our small and dynamic team, you will actively contribute to ECSDA’s work on:
- Preparing meetings of European CSD experts across relevant domains in the areas of cross-border harmonisation and implementation of European reforms and standards, drafting agendas and papers;
- Engaging with members, peer associations and authorities to support the creation of a truly single and modern financial market in the EU, and deepening cooperation with the neighbouring EEA States, UK and Switzerland;
- Together with national experts engaging with the EU institutions- European Commission, Securities and Markets Authority, as well as the European Central Bank, advocating removal of cross-border barriers, harmonisation of post-trade market practices contributing to further elaboration of pan-European policies, and innovation, including through digitalisation and tokenisation, shortening the securities settlement cycle, enhancing operational efficiency and resilience;
- Shaping the European regulatory environment through regular exchanges with the European policy-makers, supporting regulatory compliance and supervisory dialogue;
- Analysing the data and researching further possibilities of harmonisation of market infrastructure, development of digital assets and emerging technologies; and
- Collaborating with financial market infrastructures and their regional representatives globally.
You will start by supporting senior officers in research, coordination, drafting of position papers and advice to policy-makers and external stakeholders. Shortly, we expect you to learn and evolve to take responsibility for one or more working groups, gaining exposure across European States rarely accessible at an early stage of a career.
Why ECSDA?
- A front-row seat to European capital markets policy and market infrastructure Association, representing critical financial infrastructure in all European Markets;
- Meaningful responsibilities from day one - you will be able to evolve and take responsibility quickly;
- Direct interaction with senior market practitioners, regulators, and EU institutions;
- A supportive, international team in the heart of Brussels, of which you will be an essential part.
ECSDA is a high-quality line in your CV and an excellent stepping stone for your career. Our former young professionals have pursued their careers working for ECSDA at a senior level, or accepted an offer within European authorities, permanent representations of EU Member States, CSDs and other financial market actors, or other Trade associations based in Brussels or London.
Your Profile:
- Native or near-native professional level of written and spoken English;
- Strong communication and reporting skills;
- Master’s degree in economics, law, political science, or a related field (higher level of education is welcomed);
- You already have a first professional experience of a few months or years in an EU authority, association, CSD, a bank, or a consultancy firm;
- You are an EU citizen or have a work permit in Belgium;
- You have some familiarity with financial markets;
- A neutral, objective, and professional mindset, with the ability to work diplomatically with stakeholders from different cultures;
- Genuine interest in European policy-making and policy issues;
- Proactive attitude and willingness to engage across a broad range of topics;
- Excellence in execution- the ability to resolve complex issues and complete multiple tasks within agreed timelines, attention to detail, ability to take responsibility and function autonomously with high quality of output.
Practical Details
- Contract: Depending on your level, Convention d’Immersion Professionnelle (CIP) under Belgian law - paid 6-month renewable contract that will become a permanent contract in case of a successful engagement, or directly a permanent contract (Belgian CDI);
- What you need to send us: 1. your CV and 2. One/two most relevant papers you wrote during your studies or professional experience (whether or not related to European finance, economy or law) demonstrating the quality of your writing and analytical skills;
- Application deadline: 30 April 2026;
- Start date: as soon as possible, indicatively mid to end of May 2026.
Application instructions
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