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 Organisationsโ salary scale.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Description
Reporting directly to the Director of Navigation and as a member of the Directorateโs senior management team, the Head of the Future Navigation Department (NAV-F) bears overall responsibility for the management of all ESA optional programmes implemented by the Directorate of Navigation, for the navigation-related contributions to multidisciplinary ESA programmes, and for the elaboration and preparation of the future navigation missions, including R&D, innovation initiatives, pre-developments and cross-directorate coordination of all new navigation technologies and advanced studies.
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- implementing ESA optional programmes under the responsibility of the Directorate of Navigation within the agreed programme technical, schedule and cost-at-completion envelopes, with regular reporting and KPI monitoring;
- providing a market observatory and business intelligence function in respect of navigation activities, maintaining awareness of market needs and of the navigation initiatives running worldwide and ensuring the assessment of global developments in the navigation sector;
- elaborating ESAโs strategy in the ๏ฌeld of navigation, acting as the focal point and ensuring the overall coherence and implementation of all navigation-related research and development activities performed in the Directorate and coordination with other ESA directorates in line with the overall ESA strategy;
- de๏ฌning and implementing relevant research activities in the ๏ฌeld of navigation in cooperation with European industry, institutional stakeholders, universities and research centres and drawing on the expertise of other ESA directorates as required;
- elaborating and implementing programmatic and technical demonstration activities based on existing GNSS infrastructure;
- proposing and preparing future missions and programmes in the area of navigation;
- creating and maintaining a trustful relationship with the States participating in ESAโs navigation programmes;
- providing support to ESA Member States and Third Parties for validation and demonstration activities;
- interfacing with user communities when ESA expertise and support is required;
- implementing lessons-learned processes for all managed programmes;
- implementing risk, security, project management, product assurance and safety management and reporting;
- managing the de๏ฌnition, execution and monitoring of activities leading to an optimal use of navigation satellites for scienti๏ฌc purposes in close coordination with the Directorate of Science;
- fostering the scienti๏ฌc utilisation of EGNOS, Galileo and the programmes managed by the Directorate of Navigation, establishing and maintaining the relationship with the scienti๏ฌc community for navigation-related activities, and organising the interfaces with the scienti๏ฌc community via the GNSS Science Advisory Committee.
You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.
Technical competencies Identifying key priorities, urgent issues and main strategic trends within a complex and broad perimeter of responsibilityDelivery of complex projects within cost and scheduleExperience in ESA procurement processes and contract management as well as applied negotiation skillsInteraction with the European space industry at the highest levelTechnical and contract negotiation and the ability to secure win/win outcomesComplex project risk management processesBroad knowledge of the technical and industrial landscape in respect of navigation
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward ThinkingEducation
A master's degree in a science or engineering discipline is required for this post.
Additional requirements
You should, in addition, 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 Agencyโs interests to external interfaces;
- excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
- the ability to anticipate problems, resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
- the ability to make solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity as well as to support others, such as team members, upper management and other stakeholders, in this process.
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.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 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.