DirecciónEUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
Young Graduate Trainee inScience Programme strategy planning support
Young Graduate Opportunity in the Directorate of Science
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 F1 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
The Science Programme is responsible to study, develop, implement, and operate all science missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics, part of ESA portfolio.
Within the Directorate of Science, the “Director and Programme Strategy Support Office” is responsible (among other things) to support the Director in the strategic planning and implementation of the programme, including the preparation of the meetings at Ministerial level. To this aim the office plays a pivotal interface role in establishing and maintaining relations with key stakeholders such as Member States, international partners, scientific institutions, and other entities external and internal to the Directorate.
This is a very dynamic, diverse, and stimulating environment that implies engagement with scientific institutions, national entities (agencies, industries, etc.) involved in the ESA Science Programme and international institutions and agencies. The work requires also maintaining proper links and cooperative relations with other departments/offices of the Directorate (responsible for Future Missions, Projects, Science Operations, Programme Planning, and Science Engagement) and with departments/offices in other directorates.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
The selected YGT will work in the “Director and Programme Strategy Support Office” and as such will contribute to deploy some key tasks of the office. In particular, the YGT will be engaged in the support to the preparation for the next Ministerial Conferences (2025-2028); this will imply involvement in the internal relations with the other Departments/Offices as well as with external entities such as scientific institutions and national entities to support the definition of the Science Programme strategy.
Specific tasks that the YGT will support are:
- preparation of scientific and programmatic content/material/documentation;
- maintaining interfaces with Member States and other national entities, and with the advisory committees (in synergy with the Science Engagement and Oversight Office);
- maintaining briefing notes and up-to-date dossiers on Member States and Directorate activities for what concerns Member States interface;
- coordination of the selection and adoption of future Scientific Programme missions;
- internal communication activities and external strategic communication for Science.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your Master’ s degree in Physics, Engineering, or Diplomatic disciplines / policy. Previous experience with or proven interest in Science and/or diplomatic management activities would be an asset.
Additional requirements
You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.
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.
During the interview motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.
Other information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.
For further information on the Young Graduate Programme please visit: Young Graduate Programme andFAQ Young Graduate Programme
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 email contact.human.resources@esa.int.
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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, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).
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 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.
