Earth Observation Service Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space. Established in 1975, ESA has grown to include 22 member states and employs over 2,200 staff members. The agency's mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. ESA operates in various domains, including Earth observation, human spaceflight, exploration, and telecommunications, and collaborates with numerous international partners to advance space science and technology.

Job Overview:
The Earth Observation Service Manager will play a pivotal role within the Common Services Section of the ESA Ground Segment and Data Management Division. This position involves overseeing the operations and evolution of data generation and management services within the Earth Observation Framework. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that the services meet the mission requirements and maximize scientific impact for the user community. This role requires a blend of technical expertise, project management skills, and the ability to engage with various stakeholders, including internal teams and external scientific communities. The manager will also be tasked with defining service requirements, managing service implementation, and ensuring compliance with ESA's security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security framework and policies. The position demands a proactive approach to identifying gaps in service delivery and proposing innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Earth Observation Service Manager will report directly to the Head of the Common Services Section and will be responsible for a range of duties, including:

• Defining service requirements by gathering user needs from internal stakeholders and the scientific community.
• Identifying service gaps and preparing implementation plans, including procurement documentation.
• Managing the implementation and operational provision of services in accordance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Providing regular reports on technical, operational, and financial matters related to the services.
• Generating and maintaining relevant management, technical, and operational documentation.
• Contributing to the evolution of the Earth Observation Framework by monitoring service performance and proposing improvements.
• Establishing relationships within the EO data and services community and participating in international forums to promote best practices.
• Assisting the Head of the Common Services Section with audits and support for other projects as needed. These responsibilities may be further refined through annual objective setting and assessment.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in a relevant engineering field, along with a minimum of four years of professional experience in service and project management. A PMP or ITIL certification is considered an asset. The ideal candidate should demonstrate proven experience in managing large-scale data infrastructures and cloud architectures, as well as familiarity with SecDevOps principles. A solid understanding of the full EO data lifecycle and state-of-the-art technology in the EO domain, including AI and ML, is essential. Additionally, candidates should have a good knowledge of ESA's implementation and procurement processes.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in a relevant engineering subject is required for this position. This educational background should provide the candidate with a strong foundation in engineering principles, data management, and project management methodologies. The degree should be complemented by relevant professional experience in the field of Earth observation or related areas.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of their Master's degree. This experience should include service and project management, particularly in environments that involve large-scale data infrastructures and cloud-based solutions. Experience in software engineering, programming languages, and tools for data analysis and business intelligence is also important. Familiarity with innovative technologies and operational approaches for scientific data processing is considered an asset.

Languages:
The working languages of ESA are English and French. A good command of one of these languages is mandatory, while knowledge of another language from a Member State is considered an asset. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication within the agency and with external stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is a four-year appointment, extendable to indefinite, and falls within the grade band A2-A

• Recruitment will primarily be within this grade band, but candidates with less than four years of relevant experience may be considered for an A1 level position. The recruitment process may include selection tests, and successful candidates will undergo basic screening in compliance with ESA's security procedures. The agency is committed to diversity and inclusiveness, welcoming applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability, or other characteristics. ESA also provides support for individuals with disabilities during the recruitment process.