The European Panel Federation (EPF) represents European manufacturers of wood-based panels (MDF, OSB, particleboard, fibreboard and plywood). Based in Brussels, EPF works at the heart of the European institutions on topics related to sustainability, the climate transition, technical legislation, trade policy and innovation in the sector.

We are looking for an enthusiastic intern to support the Secretariat in developing its data portal project, in an international, professional and dynamic environment.

Your Responsibilities

• Connecting Power BI to Eurostat's API to enable automatic retrieval of trade and production statistics.
• Setting up automated data download and refresh schedules in Power BI.
• Loading and integrating EPF's existing data files (currently stored in Excel) into Power BI.
• Designing and applying data cleaning and aggregation routines to ensure data quality and consistency.
• Building data tables and charts connected to live data sources.
• Setting up automatic updates of tables and charts upon data refresh.
• Preparing clear technical documentation and user guidelines for the EPF Secretariat.
• Processing and consolidating member questionnaires received in various Excel formats into structured master files.

Our ideal candidate is a driven, organised and detail-oriented student eager to apply their data skills in a real European professional environment, working with industry statistics, databases and modern data tools.

He/she is:

• Inquisitive and proactive, with a genuine interest in data analysis and data visualisation tools.
• Comfortable working with Excel files that vary in structure and format across different sources.
• Familiar with Microsoft Power BI and/or Power Query, or strongly motivated to develop these skills during the internship.
• At ease with the concept of APIs and how they are used to retrieve data from external sources (hands-on experience is an asset but not required).
• Reliable, discreet and able to work independently once initial guidance is provided, while knowing when to ask for help.
• Fluent in English.
• Capable of managing multiple tasks in parallel with a structured and methodical approach.

We are looking for someone who wants to develop their technical skills, gain professional experience and contribute to a project with real visibility: building EPF's first data portal to deliver industry statistics directly to its members across 30 European countries.

The candidate must be enrolled at a university and able to provide a formal internship agreement from their institution.

This is an ideal internship for someone who wants to:

• Gain hands-on experience with Power BI, Power Query and data pipeline development in a professional setting.
• Work on a concrete project with a tangible deliverable from day one.
• Develop skills in data management, statistical analysis and technical documentation.
• Thrive in an international, professional and supportive environment.

Skills

Essential

• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including data tables, formulas, basic data manipulation, and consolidating data from multiple files into a single master file.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Power BI or a demonstrated interest in learning it, including basic report building and data visualisation.
• Basic understanding of Power Query for data extraction and transformation, or willingness to develop this skill during the internship.
• At ease with the concept of APIs and how they are used to retrieve data from external sources (practical experience is an asset but not required).
• Strong attention to detail and a structured, methodical approach to data work.
• Good written communication skills in English, including ability to document processes clearly.

Desirable

• Previous exposure to Microsoft Power BI through coursework, a personal project, or previous work experience.
• Familiarity with Eurostat or other statistical databases.
• Basic understanding of trade or economic statistics.

Personal Qualities

• Eager to learn and able to work independently once initial guidance is provided.
• Proactive in flagging issues and asking questions.
• Comfortable working in a small team environment in an international setting.
• Respectful of confidentiality and able to handle sensitive member information and data with discretion, in line with EPF Secretariat's internal data protection rules.

We offer genuine hands-on experience within an active European federation, located at the heart of the European Quarter in Brussels, where each day brings new tasks and interactions.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Participate in the operations of a recognised European industry association.
• Contribute to a concrete data infrastructure project with direct impact on EPF's member services.
• Develop your skills in data analysis, data visualisation, process documentation and project management.
• Gain insight into an industry at the forefront of the sustainability transition.
• Thrive in an international, professional and supportive environment.

The internship takes place in Brussels (Schuman area), for a duration of 3 to 6 months, within the framework of a formal internship agreement from the candidate's institution.

Practical Benefits

• Reimbursement of public transport costs in Belgium (subject to agreement).
• Lunch covered on days worked on-site.
• Remote working possible, subject to conditions and after an initial settling-in period.
• Flexible working hours.
• Personalised letter of recommendation at the end of the internship.
• Possibility to attend selected European meetings and sector events.