Head of the Civil Security from Space Programme Office

Description

Head of the Civil Security from Space Programme Office in the Systems, Strategic Programme Line and Technology Department within the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications (D/CSC).

Reporting to the Head of the Systems, Strategic Programme Line and Technology Department (CSC-S), you will be responsible for the management of all activities relating to the definition, consolidation and execution of the Civil Security from Space (CSS) Programme in coordination with the other ESA directorates in order to deliver the Programme objectives.

You will lead the programmatic, strategic and technical aspects of the work and will engage as required with all stakeholders, including civil security and crisis management actors, the satellite and terrestrial industry ecosystem, institutions, organisations and regulatory bodies, including the European Commission.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• leading the definition and consolidation of the CSS Programme strategy in order to foster seamless build-up of new business opportunities for the space community to bring about new markets, services and applications in the domain of civil security and crisis management;
• establishing and developing strategic partnerships and collaboration agreements with private and public stakeholders, including New Space and non-space industries, as well as user communities, civil security actors and crisis management and humanitarian organisations in Europe and Canada, as well as internationally;
• defining and leading the implementation of the Programme Plan in close coordination with the Programme’s participating States in order to ensure the growth and successful delivery of the Programme objectives;
• identifying, characterising and fostering relevant commercial opportunities for innovative services and applications, exploiting space assets such as satellite communications, satellite navigation and Earth observation integrated with digital technologies, and building up future projects in the field of civil security and crisis management;
• leading the Rapid and Resilient Crisis Response (R3) Accelerator initiative and maximising the synergies and the benefits to and from the CSS Programme through close coordination with the Accelerator Core Team;
• managing the CSS ESA Integrated Team, ensuring access to relevant Programme information and appropriate tools and procedures such that the Team can execute the allocated tasks efficiently and in accordance with the Directorate’s quality management system;
• liaising closely and proactively with colleagues from D/CSC as well as across ESA directorates, in particular Earth Observation Programmes, Director General’s Services, Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness, Navigation, Technology, Engineering and Quality and Operations, enabling the delivery of CSS and R3 objectives;
• providing financial management of the CSS Programme in line with the declared cost at completion and annual budget forecasts, providing regular technical, programmatic and financial reporting to the Director, ESA management and national delegations.

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

Technical competencies

Multidisciplinary knowledge of your area of responsibility

Experience in satellite telecommunication networks and/or Earth observation systems or other relevant technical fields

Space system development and PA standards

Complex risk management processes

Knowledge of ESA and industrial development, verification and procurement processes

Behavioural competencies

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

Additional requirements

You should, in addition, have:

• the 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 team’s performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and giving regular and 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.

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.

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 via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

Applicants must be eligible to access technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations & security clearance by their national security administrations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.