A graduate of the College of Europe, Nina Obermaier worked as a journalist before joining the European Commission in 2001, first on information society issues, and subsequently in external relations on the Middle East peace process. From 2013 onwards and until joining the Commission's Task Force for the Negotiations with the UK under Article 50 in October 2016, she was Deputy Head of Division for Western Europe in the European External Action Service dealing with neighbouring countries of the EU which chose not to become a member of the Union, the main focus of her work being Switzerland.  In the "Brexit" Task Force, she is in charge of issues relating to Ireland/Northern Ireland, Common Foreign and Security policy, and development cooperation.