Sustainability Lead

Lead sustainability initiatives at ESA and drive environmental strategies.

This opening expired 6 months ago. Do not try to apply for this job.

ESA - European Space Agency

Open positions at ESA
Logo of ESA

Application deadline 6 months ago: Friday 20 Mar 2026 at 23:59 UTC

Open application form

Overview

Lead sustainability initiatives at ESA and drive environmental strategies.

You have:

  • A master's degree in environmental engineering, environmental science or a related subject is required for this post.
  • Proven experience in the domain of space sustainability, strategy and project management is required.
  • Excellent understanding of the sustainability challenges related to the space sector.
  • Good knowledge of ESA and the European industrial space sector is required.
  • Ability to promote collaboration and coordination with stakeholders.
  • Knowledge of ESA and industrial development, verification and procurement processes.

This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Location ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

Description

Sustainability Lead in the Strategic Sustainability Office, Strategy Department, Directorate of Strategy, Legal and External Affairs.

As Sustainability Lead, you will directly report to the Head of the Strategic Sustainability Office and be responsible for proposing, developing and monitoring the implementation of the ESA Sustainability Strategy, in alignment with both the ESA CSR (corporate social responsibility) principles and the Agency’s Strategy 2040. You will also support, in their capacity as ESA’s Chief Sustainability Officer, the Head of the Strategic Sustainability Office in managing the ESA Green Agenda programme and its evolution to meet the Agency’s current and future environmental objectives, and you will work in close coordination with the relevant services in the Strategy Department.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

  • driving ESA social responsibility policies and projects, as well as fostering sustainability and environmental thinking within ESA;
  • coordinating the implementation of the ESA Double Materiality Assessment to identify the Agency’s priorities with respect to its stakeholders in the ESG (environment, social, governance) areas;
  • developing and updating the ESA Sustainability Strategy, in alignment with ESA CSR principles and Strategy 2040, in collaboration with all ESA programme and support directorates;
  • coordinating a comprehensive annual assessment of the Agency’s environmental footprint and preparing the ESA Responsibility and Sustainability report;
  • overseeing and organising, together with the European Interparliamentary Space Committee and the European Space Policy Institute, the annual European Space Sustainability Award;
  • coordinating the ESA Green Agenda Programme Management Office in support of the ESA Chief Sustainability Officer;
  • overseeing the Sustainability Fund by selecting and approving internal projects in line with the Agency’s environmental objectives;
  • providing secretariat services to the ESA Environmental Protection Working Group, chaired by the ESA Chief Sustainability Officer.

Technical competencies

Good knowledge of ESA and the European industrial space sector, as well as of ESA Boards and their areas of responsibility

Excellent understanding of the sustainability challenges related to the space sector

Knowledge of ESA and industrial development, verification and procurement processes

Project and programme management skills

Space engineering and systems orientation

Good knowledge of the life cycle thinking approach and ecodesign/life cycle assessment techniques

Ability to promote collaboration and coordination with stakeholders

Behavioural competencies

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

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

A master's degree in environmental engineering, environmental science or a related subject is required for this post.

Additional requirements

Proven experience in the domain of space sustainability, strategy and project management is required.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness 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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

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 [email protected].

Important Information and Disclaimer 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.

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.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates.

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.

Potential interview questions

Can you tell us about your experience in implementing sustainability strategies? The interviewer wants to assess your direct experience and approach to sustainability. Discuss specific projects you've led or contributed to, focusing on outcomes.
How do you prioritize sustainability initiatives in an organization? This question assesses your strategic thinking and prioritization skills. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a time when you had to coordinate with multiple stakeholders on a sustainability project. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What do you consider to be the biggest challenges facing sustainability in the space sector? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you measure the success of a sustainability initiative? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of how you have fostered a culture of environmental responsibility in an organization? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What role does corporate social responsibility play in sustainability initiatives? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Explain how you would approach the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) assessment for ESA. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 7 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: jobs.esa.int