Young Graduate Trainee in Space Strategy and Governance (ESA Accelerators)

Young Graduate Opportunity in the Directorate of European, Legal and International Matters

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

ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

Our team and mission

The ESA Accelerator Team is tasked with the coordination of the implementation of the new initiative proposed by ESA, the “Space Accelerators”, which targets for the use of space to needs in critical areas of sustainable development by engaging users, funders, regulators and other partners in identifying and scaling up Space solutions to key challenges (see Accelerators: a vision and call for action – ESA Vision).

Interfacing with colleagues across the ESA Directorates in charge of the three Accelerators (Space for a Green Future, Rapid and Resilient Crisis Response and PROTECT), as well as with key stakeholders in other ESA Directorates, the team is tasked with making the Accelerator vision concrete (including supporting the identification of governance models and funding structures) and implementing this vision in a coordinated way.

The team also leads engagement with key institutional stakeholders, such as ESA Member States and the European Commission. Finally, it prepares contributions to high-level meetings at delegate and Ministerial level and leads on communications planning.

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As a Young Graduate Trainee, you will provide analytic, administrative and project support in the following areas:

• Research and analysis on topics relevant to the Accelerators’ development (e.g. policy landscape, partnership models, user engagement, etc.)
• Planning and delivery of partnership events/activities
• Planning and delivery of communications activities
• Effective coordination and management of internal team activities e.g. organizing seminars/workshops
• Support across the team generally on projects related to the Accelerators according to need.

You will also have the opportunity to participate more widely in training, development and leadership opportunities as one of the Young Graduate Trainees based at ESA HQ in Paris.

Key learning objectives will include:

• The ability to carry out effective research, option analysis and prepare concise, clear and compelling written reports and presentations
• Development of an understanding of the role of space capabilities in support of sustainable development on Earth and in Orbit
• Development of an understanding of collaborative partnerships and the acceleration of technology development and solution scaling
• Development of an understanding of international space policy and delivery and the effective operation of an international organisation
• Development of an understanding of the role of communications and the ability to plan and oversee the execution of communications activities to support top level goals
• The ability to plan and deliver high quality seminars/workshops in support of team and partnership development

Technical competencies

Knowledge of relevant technical domains

Relevant experience gained during internships/project work

Breadth of exposure coming from past and/or current research/activities

Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

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 a relevant discipline.

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 and FAQ 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.