Intern in the Contracts Department, Launcher Procurement Division

Paris

  • Organization: ESA - European Space Agency
  • Location: Paris
  • Grade: Internship - Internship
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Legal - Broad
    • Procurement
    • External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
  • Closing Date: 2025-11-30

Intern in the Contracts Department, Launcher Procurement Division

Job Requisition ID:  20081
Date Posted:  1 November 2025
Closing Date:  30 November 2025 23:59 CET/CEST
Publication:  External Only
Type of Contract Intern
Directorate:  Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness
Workplace: 

Paris, FR

 

Location
ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

 

Our team and mission

Our team is composed of 15 lawyers, located both in Paris (France) and in Rome (Italy) and of various nationalities (UK, Belgium, France, Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, Germany).
Our mission is to provide support to the Space Transportation Directorate for what concerns all procurement processes related to launchers in the European Space Agency. In particular, we are involved in procurement strategy definition, preparation of internal decision processes related to procurements, preparation and release of Invitation to Tender, evaluation of proposals, preparation and negotiation of contracts and contractual amendments.

 

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You can choose between the following topics:

 

1) Topic 1: ESA procurement, General Clauses and Conditions, contracts for Space Transportation activities 

 

You will be requested to provide analysis on ESA General Contractual Clauses and Conditions; i.e. legal analysis of ESA specific regimes (Intellectual Property Rights, disclosure, Personal Data Protection, liability, export control ...) and their implementation in ESA contracts for Space Transportation activities; with specific focus on differences between standard contracts, Express Procurement contracts and service contracts, in the frame of the Procurement/Contracting Regulations reform.

 

2) Topic 2: ESA procurement, General Clauses and Conditions

 

You will be requested to provide analysis on ESA General Contractual Clauses and Conditions; i.e. legal analysis of ESA specific regimes (Intellectual Property Rights, disclosure, Personal Data Protection, liability, export control ...) and their implementation in ESA General Clauses and Conditions; with specific focus on differences between general contracts, Express Procurement contract and Manpower contract, in the frame of the Procurement Regulations reform.

 

In both cases, you will be offered to gain a first procurement experience in getting used to ESA procurement process through involvement in practical procurement cases, under the supervision of a Contract Officer in the division.

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 and background in space domain/technology is an asset.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness 
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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. 

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 via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

 

Important Information and Disclaimer
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have. 

 

Nationality 

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.
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