Our team and mission

The External Relations Department proposes, coordinates and supports ESA’s policy vis-à-vis non-Member States, their institutions, and international organisations, in accordance with the overall corporate strategy of the Agency. This includes:

• monitoring activities of the Agency’s international partners and providing the Agency with appropriate information and reports;
• preparing and coordinating meetings with international partners;
• representing the Agency towards non-Member States, their institutions and international organisations;
• devising an international relations strategy and annual activities list;
• providing the secretariat for ESA’s International Relations Committee.

To discharge its responsibilities, the Department also manages ESA offices abroad, including in Washington D.C. and Tokyo. 

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: International Relations 

As an intern in the External Relations Department, you will have the unique opportunity to contribute first-hand to the management of the Agency’s relations with its international partners. This includes:

• research on geopolitical and geostrategic developments of relevance for ESA and the space sector more broadly;
• foreign policy analysis;
• contribution to the formulation of internal positions and support to the implementation of ESA’s missions and programmes jointly carried out with international partners, in coordination with relevant programme directorates;
• support to the handling of high-level meetings with international delegations.

Doing so, you will be fully integrated into the team, contribute to the practice of international relations in a dynamic period of global change, and gain insights into the functioning of an intergovernmental organisation at the heart of the space sector. 

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

You must be a university student, preferably studying at master’s level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your University for the entire duration of the internship.

Additional requirements

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.

During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.

Knowledge of the global space sector, relevant foreign policies or international relations would be an asset.