Description

Head of the Strategic Foresight and Planning Office, Strategy Department, Director General’s Services.

Under the direct authority of the Head of the Strategy Department (DG-5), you will be responsible for developing, deploying and running Agency-level foresight and strategic planning.

Duties

Under the direct authority of the Head of the Strategy Department (DG-5), the Head of the Strategic Foresight and Planning Office will support the definition of the overall Agency-level strategy. You will liaise with the Agency’s senior management to proactively devise an ESA-wide strategy based on strategic intelligence, strategic foresight and strategic planning activities. You will ensure this ESA-wide strategy is defined in accordance with the ESA strategy plans at directorate level.
As Head of the Strategic Foresight and Planning Office, you will be responsible for:

• organising and ensuring the availability of futures intelligence, examining the internal and external factors that may impact ESA;
• developing strategic foresight capacity adapted to ESA and the space sector;
• deploying, implementing and delivering strategic foresight projects, aiming to identify the implications of different futures for ESA’s programmes and policies, help challenge ESA’s current plans and expectations, and build resilience at both programme and Agency level;
• supporting the development of ESA’s strategic plan by identifying strategic challenges and opportunities as well as strategic options, and working with the ESA Director General, directorates, the Director General’s Services and Member States to develop relevant goals and actions, in accordance with mid- and short-term priorities at Agency and directorate level.

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting 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

Education

You should have at least a master’s degree in a scientific/engineering discipline, and/or in political science.

Additional requirements

A multidisciplinary background and a wide range of experience are required, including in space programmes and policy development, as well as in working in various cultural settings.
A proven capacity to interact with different stakeholders, senior management and high-level external representatives.
You should also have:

• proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team;
• 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 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 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 with integrity, as well as to support others (team members, upper management, 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.