Policy Officer

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 countries across Europe and collaborates with numerous international partners to advance space science and technology.

Job Overview:
The Policy Officer will be a key member of the Council and Member States Support Division within the Director General's Cabinet. This role involves providing critical intelligence and analysis to support ESA management in preparing for high-level interactions and meetings with Member States. The officer will be responsible for maintaining up-to-date reports on relevant countries, monitoring their political and economic situations, and tracking contributions to ESA programs. The position requires a proactive approach to identifying and preparing new policies and strategic initiatives, as well as digitalizing Cabinet processes. The Policy Officer will also support the Director General in operational activities, including correspondence, speeches, presentations, and reporting, while implementing Council- and Board-related activities and providing support for protocol matters.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the Policy Officer include:

• Providing intelligence and analysis to support ESA management in high-level meetings with Member States.
• Preparing briefing and background inputs and coordinating with relevant ESA directorates.
• Maintaining up-to-date reports on political and economic developments in relevant countries.
• Monitoring trends in contributions to ESA programs and Member State involvement.
• Identifying and preparing new policies and strategic initiatives.
• Digitalizing Cabinet processes to enhance operational efficiency.
• Supporting the Director General in operational activities, including correspondence and presentations.
• Implementing Council- and Board-related activities.
• Providing support for protocol activities and guest operations. 1
• Performing ad hoc studies and actions as requested.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to interact effectively with various stakeholders. The ability to work well in a team environment and under pressure is essential. Good judgment, tact, and discretion are necessary qualities for this role. Additionally, diplomatic experience, preferably in a Cabinet setting, is considered an asset. Knowledge of ESA's activities, programs, and policies, as well as the European and international space sector, is highly desirable. Experience in digitalization processes and multilateral decision-making is also required.

Educational Background:
A master's degree in a relevant domain is required for this position. This educational background should provide the candidate with the necessary theoretical knowledge and analytical skills to perform the duties of the Policy Officer effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master's degree. However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of experience, the position may be filled at a lower grade level (A1). Experience in preparing briefing notes, diplomatic correspondence, and high-level presentations is essential, as is familiarity with protocol matters.

Languages:
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these languages is required for the position. Additionally, knowledge of another Member State language would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively within the diverse environment of ESA.

Additional Notes:
This is a fixed-term, non-renewable position for a duration of four years. The recruitment process will prioritize internal candidates and external candidates from under-represented Member States. Successful candidates will undergo basic screening before appointment, in compliance with ESA's security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security procedures. The agency is committed to diversity and inclusiveness, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates, including women and individuals with disabilities. The working conditions and compensation details are subject to change and may not address all potential questions.