Description

Reporting to the Head of the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department and as part of the Department’s senior management team, you will lead ESA’s Earth observation science activities. Heading a large team of scientists across ESTEC, ESRIN and ECSAT, you will be responsible for the scientific definition, integrity and quality of all missions and R&D projects managed in the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes. Based on the Agency’s new Earth Observation Science Strategy, you will shape the scientific landscape of Earth observation in Europe, covering the entire activity lifecycle, from the conception of ideas through to studies, implementation and exploitation. You will also address Earth system and climate science aspects for which Earth observation data are a major contributor, and finally feed this knowledge forward into next-generation observational needs and digital twins.

The portfolio of activities and responsibilities is broad with wide exposure to the European and worldwide science community, and the successful candidate must demonstrate significant scientific and managerial experience in an international Earth observation context. A strong vision for Earth observation and Earth science in Europe is crucial.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• leading the department’s Earth and mission science activities (with team members across three ESA establishments) through a coordinated approach for science throughout the entire mission and R&D project lifecycle;
• providing mission and campaign scientist leadership guiding the study and implementation of ESA’s Earth observation (EO) missions;
• managing the generation and maintenance of mission requirements in all phases of mission development, from pre-Phase A through to commissioning;
• developing, maintaining and implementing appropriate science plans for all EO missions (unless excluded by programme declarations);
• conducting and supervising relevant in-house and external scientific studies as needed for EO mission implementation and for scientific exploitation;
• managing the implementation of system science and digital twin component efforts in collaboration with partners and stakeholders;
• managing the Advisory Committee for Earth Observation (ACEO) Secretariat and organising its activities;
• managing international science and mission advisory groups as needed to support selected missions within all EO programmes;
• contributing to the production of candidate EO mission and payload documents as well as associated requirements;
• leading the scientific evaluation and contributing to the technical evaluation of EO mission proposals and to the selection of missions for implementation;
• supervising geophysical algorithm research and development in support of EO missions;
• leading and conducting all measurement campaigns concerned with the calibration, validation and exploitation of EO missions;
• contributing to the Agency’s outreach and communication on EO;
• reporting on the activities of the division, including to Member States;
• being part of the Department’s executive leadership team, thereby contributing to overall cohesion and coordination across divisions and vis-à-vis the other departments;
• as appropriate, representing ESA at relevant international forums and in cooperative frameworks with partners;
• coordinating with partners and stakeholders at international, European and national level;
• coordinating with other ESA directorates on topics of common interest.

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting on the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

A PhD degree in physics, engineering or a relevant Earth sciences and applications discipline is required.

Additional requirements

Experience in working on a multi-partner cooperative programme would be an advantage.
Importance will be attached to a candidate’s personal credibility in the field.
You should also bring solid experience as a team leader, with extensive understanding of management and procurement processes.

Furthermore, you should have:

• proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team in a complex and dynamic environment;
• the ability to provide strategic direction to individuals and teams 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;
• demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
• a proven track record of representing your employer’s interests to external interfaces;
• excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• the ability to anticipate problems and solve complex issues;
• the ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and integrity.

People management experience is required as is international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.