Science Communication and Education Manager

Vacancy 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 A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.

Location ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain

Description

The European Space Agency maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. Its mission is to 'empower Europe to lead space science'.

The Office of Science Engagement and Oversight (SCI-E) oversees the scientific output of all the Space Science missions across all phases, from studies to operations and beyond. The Office also manages engagement, communication and education efforts for the Directorate of Science, with the aim of ensuring that external stakeholders (ranging from advisory bodies, media, scientists, general public and future generations) are informed, engaged and inspired.

In this role you will be responsible for implementing the Directorate of Science’s overall engagement strategy, including communication and education, as well as serving as Communication Programme Officer for the Science Directorate. You will report to the Head of the Science Engagement and Oversight Office. Up to 50% of your role will involve supporting and working in close cooperation with the Communication Department, reporting functionally for those aspects, to the Head of the Contents Office in the Communication Department.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Strategy: as Science Engagement and Communication Manager you will be responsible for the definition and implementation of the science engagement, communication and education strategy and its connection to ESA’s strategy in these areas;
• Internal coordination: as Science Communication Programme Officer you will ensure the smooth integration of science communications into ESA’s communications teams and coordinate education activities in collaboration with the ESA Education Office;
• Campaigns: you will oversee your team’s work in planning, leading and executing individual campaigns related to science missions and milestones and including the Directorate’s annual communication plan. This involves working closely and coordinating with the offices and departments across the Directorate of Science, the Communication Department and other communication stakeholders across ESA;
• Media relations: you will ensure collaboration with the ESA Media Relations team on behalf of the Directorate of Science, including briefing spokespersons, delivery of talking points, briefing cards, media kits and presentation materials;
• Empowering your team: you will work with small teams of dedicated, creative and experienced professionals and empower them to build engaging narratives to ignite excitement around the world-leading science enabled by the cutting-edge technology developed for ESA Science missions;
• Performance metrics: in addition, you will oversee the collection of key performance indicators to monitor impact of the Science Programme in different stakeholder contexts for regular reporting to Science management as needed. These metrics will be used to inform and update the wider engagement, communication and education strategy of the Directorate.

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

Technical competencies

Experience in Science Communication

Experience in project management

Communication strategy and planning

Experience in designing, developing and delivering communication campaigns

Understanding of relevant communication platforms and channels

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation Operational Efficiency Fostering Cooperation Relationship Management Forward Thinking Communication

Education

A master's in a relevant domain for this post is required.

Additional requirements

Experience in international communications, particularly in space science, would be an asset.

You should further have:

• the potential to manage individuals or a team communication professionals;
• the ability to organise their 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;
• strong results 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.

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 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, 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.

In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.