Head of the Projects Office
JOB DETAIL
Vacancy in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
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 A5 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Description
If selected for this position, you will report to the Head of the Systems Department. As Head of the Projects Office, you will be responsible for the management of the Office and its activities.
The Office is responsible for the project management of small missions, NewSpace missions including in-orbit demonstration missions by the Directorate, and space missions delegated to the Directorate by ESA programmes and external entities.
Duties
When performing your duties, you will be responsible for:
• managing the human and financial resources of the Office;
• promoting and preparing for approval, by Member States and ESA, small missions and NewSpace projects, as well as required R&D activities;
• implementing in ESA programmes delegated to the Office by external entities;
• evaluating, negotiating and contracting projects and R&D activities with industry;
• ensuring that projects and R&D activities managed by the Office are delivered within budget and on schedule;
• implementing a common programmatic and implementation approach for small mission and NewSpace projects;
• liaising with the programme directorates, external entities and within the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality as required during the implementation of the projects;
• developing system engineering approaches and standards in the framework of ECSS and ESA Standardisation Boards.
You will be supported in these activities by Project Managers and Technical Officers who manage the specific projects and support teams.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
A master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline, as well as extensive system engineering and project experience, is required for this post.
Previous experience in project management of small space missions would be an asset, as would previous experience of managing multiple teams.
Additional requirements
In addition, candidates should have:
• proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of experts in a project or R&D environment;
• the ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• a proven track record of delivering small space systems;
• a proven track record of representing the Agency’s interests to external interfaces;
• the ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Office and to relate team objectives to the organisational goals and context;
• the ability to anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• the ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and integrity as well as to support others (team members, upper management, other stakeholders, etc.) in this process.
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these languages is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.
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 at [email protected].
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 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.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
