Contracts 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 multiple countries across Europe and collaborates with various international partners to advance space science and technology.

Job Overview:
The Contracts Officer will play a crucial role within the Directorate of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness, specifically in the Mission Operations & Ground Segment Engineering Contracts Service. This position involves managing procurement activities related to Mission Operations and Ground Systems technology, including software developments and contracts in Space Situational Awareness and Space Safety. The Contracts Officer will work autonomously while ensuring compliance with procurement processes and will report directly to the Head of the Contracts Service. The role requires a proactive approach to procurement, emphasizing independence, transparency, and adherence to legal and industrial policies. The successful candidate will be expected to engage with various stakeholders, ensuring that all procurement activities align with ESA's regulations and strategies, while also fostering relationships with Project Managers and Technical Officers to provide guidance on procurement matters.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Contracts Officer's responsibilities include preparing procurement and contract documentation in collaboration with technical services, organizing and coordinating procurement stages, issuing invitations to tender, verifying submissions, evaluating proposals, and negotiating contracts with selected economic operators. The officer will ensure compliance with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and innovate procurement processes to improve time-to-contract. Additionally, the role involves providing guidance on legal and industrial policy measures, ensuring stakeholders understand ESA's procurement processes, monitoring contract performance, negotiating amendments, and addressing administrative, contractual, legal, and industrial issues that arise during the procurement lifecycle. Building trust with project teams and advising them on procurement-related matters is also a key aspect of this role.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a master's degree in law, with advanced studies specializing in (public) contract law. A minimum of six years of relevant professional experience in contracts or public procurement is required, preferably gained in a public administration setting, international organization, business, or specialized law firm. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, are essential, along with a customer-focused approach and sound judgment in problem-solving. Candidates should demonstrate discretion, integrity, and the ability to work collaboratively with international actors. Operational efficiency, planning and organization skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously are also critical. Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment, along with the ability to perform under pressure, are necessary attributes for success in this role.

Educational Background:
A master's degree in law is mandatory for this position, with a specialization in public contract law being highly desirable. This educational background equips candidates with the necessary legal knowledge and analytical skills required to navigate complex procurement processes and contractual agreements effectively.

Experience:
The position requires at least six years of relevant professional experience in contracts and/or public procurement. This experience should ideally be gained in a public administration context, an international organization, or a specialized law firm, providing candidates with a solid foundation in contract law and procurement practices.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as it is one of the working languages of the Agency. Knowledge of French is also required. Additionally, familiarity with another language from an ESA Member State would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a diverse working environment.

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

• Recruitment will prioritize candidates from ESA Member States, with a focus on achieving a balanced distribution of posts among these nations. 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. Candidates must be eligible to access information subject to European or US export control regulations and must be able to obtain security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security-clearance" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security clearance from their national security administrations. The recruitment process may include selection tests, and successful candidates will undergo basic screening before appointment.