Vacancy in the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.
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 A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisationsโ salary scale.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Description
Head of the Earth Surfaces and Interior Section in the Earth and Mission Science Division of the Science, Applications and Climate Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes (D/EOP).
Duties
You will report to the Head of the Earth and Mission Science Division in the Science, Applications and Climate Department, and your main tasks and responsibilities will include:
- managing the Earth Surfaces and Interior Sectionโs team of scientists;
- strategic planning and development of your Sectionโs work plans and management of the corresponding science activities, including manpower allocation and oversight of activities to address the objectives of the Division, the Department and the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes;
- providing scientific expertise for the development of Earth observation (EO) missions across the Earth surfaces and interior Earth system science domains;
- providing support for the identification and critical review of requirements originating from the EO user community and advice to the Head of Division on the interests and aspirations of the community;
- managing the implementation of the independent peer review of mission ideas or mission concept proposals in response to Agency calls;
- managing the Sectionโs scientific study support to new mission concepts, preparatory and mission development activities and to in-orbit commissioning to meet research and operational user needs and aspirations;
- managing the scientific support and advice provided by the Section to EO missions in the relevant FutureEO, Earth Watch and Copernicus domains and maintaining the external interface with the European Commission and EUMETSAT in relation to the corresponding mission advisory structures;
- providing mission scientist support to approved mission candidates and projects throughout their preparation, development, commissioning, calibration/validation and operations phases to ensure that the payload and the end-to-end system fulfil the necessary mission requirements;
- communicating research results in connection with ESAโs missions and serving as an ESA ambassador to external scientific organisations and at relevant national and international events, scientific conferences, user consultations and media events;
- managing, supervising and monitoring Section-led external scientific study contracts, KPI reporting and quarterly reporting and ensuring that Section tasks are carried out in accordance with Department objectives and work planning within agreed planning and financial constraints and, if necessary, identifying and proposing corrective measures.
In performing these tasks you will be expected to work closely with the Future Missions and Architecture, Projects, Mission Management and Ground Segment Departments to coordinate delegated activities requiring your Sectionโs scientific expertise and manpower support.
Technical competencies Knowledge of scientific discipline, including strategic vision for the use of Earth Observation in the relevant domain of Earth scienceKnowledge of space projects, including instrumentation and operationsKnowledge of the role of mission science during different mission phasesKnowledge of the relevant Earth Observation scientific user community
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward ThinkingEducation
A PhD in a relevant Earth observation satellite remote sensing based Earth science discipline is required for this post.
Additional requirements
You should have a demonstrated reputation and credibility in the science community, built on experience in performing independent research in a relevant Earth surfaces and interior domain.
You should be familiar with current and future planned concepts and instrumentation under study or implementation within the relevant EOP domains. Particular importance will be attached to your ability to manage a team, your credibility within the Earth observation remote sensing user community and your familiarity with the programmatic outlook in the Earth Explorer, Earth Watch and Copernicus programme domains.
You should have:
- demonstrated potential to manage individuals or a team;
- the ability to organise individual and team activities and ensure a motivating work environment;
- strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
- the ability to drive your teamโs performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and giving regular, constructive feedback;
- strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
- a strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing;
- the ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer-focused.
People management experience is an asset, as is 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.
The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.
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 email 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.
According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.
In accordance with the European Space Agencyโs 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.
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the masterโs degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.