Head of the Earth Observation Project Department

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

This post is classified A6 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Reporting directly to the Director of Earth Observation Programmes, the Head of the Earth Observation Projects Department is responsible for the overall system definition and management of approved ESA Earth Observation Programmes up to and including launch and in-orbit verification.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• leading the teams responsible for the design and implementation of the space segment of approved Earth observation missions undertaken by ESA (including Earth Explorer, Scout, Earth Watch, meteorological, Copernicus and national programmes) up to and inclusive of launch and in-orbit commissioning;
• directing, planning, distributing and monitoring projects;
• ensuring and endorsing the consolidation of the final programmatic framework of the future missions to be implemented (cost-at-completion, schedule, procurement and geo-return);
• ensuring that the approved mission requirements are implemented within the agreed schedule and established cost-at-completion;
• interfacing with industry as needed for supporting project teams;
• interfacing on technical and programmatic issues with Member States and partner organisations, for example EUMETSAT for meteorological missions and the European Commission for Copernicus missions;
• implementing ESA industrial policy for the elements under your responsibility;
• developing and motivating departmental staff members by assessing performance, encouraging learning and development, delegating responsibilities and providing regular and constructive feedback;
• encouraging synergy across project teams and creating a sense of unity and purpose between teams and across ESA, recognising team success and supporting any relevant ESA corporate activities;
• dealing effectively with sensitive or difficult situations, liaising with Human Resources as required;
• ensuring that a long-term, strategic view is taken for the Department and effectively communicating that strategy and vision;
• maintaining close cooperation with all EOP departments: Future Missions and Architecture (EOP-F) for the preparation of future missions; EO Mission Management and Ground Segment (EOP-G) for ground segment aspects; and Science, Applications and Climate (EOP-S) for science aspects and commercialisation.

  You will be assisted by programme managers and project managers, as well as by the Project Control and Management Support and System Support functions.
  In carrying out your duties, you will liaise closely with other departments and offices within the Directorate, and draw on the support of other Agency directorates.
  You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

  Technical competencies Experience in the management and development of complex space systemsInteraction with European space industry at the highest level, including contract negotiationProject and technical management

  Behavioural competencies

  Result Orientation
  Operational Efficiency
  Fostering Cooperation
  Relationship Management
  Continuous Improvement
  Forward Thinking

  Education

  A master's in engineering or physics is required for this post.

  Additional requirements

  You should have:

  📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

  ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

  • the ability to provide strategic direction to individuals and teams and relate team objectives to the overall and evolving organisational goals and context;
  • the ability to anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context, as well as the ability to support others (team members, senior management and other stakeholders) in this process;
  • previous experience of managing managers and managing a large entity encompassing several teams.

    You should also have:

    • proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of managers;
    • the ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Department and to relate team objectives to the overall, evolving organisational goals and context;
    • the ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
    • demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
    • a proven track record of representing the Agency’s interests to external interfaces;
    • excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
    • the ability to take solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity, as well as the ability to support others (team members, upper management and other stakeholders) in this process.

      People management experience would be an asset, as would international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

      Other information

      For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.

      For further information please visit: Professionals, What we offer and FAQ

      The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required.
      Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

      Please note that applicants may be required to undergo psychometric testing and other assessments.

      At the Agency we value diversity and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further please contact us at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

      Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

      In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service.