EAC and Astronaut Communication Officer
Porz-Wahn, DE
This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.
Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany with a resident assignment to EAC, Porz-Wahn, Germany.
Description
The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes (D/HRE) is a programme directorate within the ESA matrix structure. Through a partnership between humans and robots, D/HRE is dedicated to exploring destinations in space where humans are already living and working —– or will live and work in the future —– for the purpose of scientific research, economic development, international cooperation and public inspiration.
Reporting to the Human Exploration Group Leader and in coordination with HRE Communication Programme Officer, you will be responsible for the communication and public relations of the ESA astronauts, the European Astronaut Centre and the LUNA analog facility.
Your main responsibility will be to develop and execute communication activities involving ESA astronauts and the experts interacting with them. As such, you will implement strategic communication activities and organise campaigns relating to the European Astronaut Centre, space missions of European astronauts, and campaigns implemented in the LUNA analog facility. You will be responsible for defining, executing, monitoring and improving all communication activities of the European Astronaut Centre and the LUNA analog facility, including space missions of ESA astronauts. In fulfilling these tasks, you will be supported by a small team of communication experts.
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- establishing and implementing, in accordance with the strategic goals of HRE, the Annual Communication Plan for the European Astronaut Centre and the LUNA analog facility, and specific communication plans for ESA astronaut missions;
- keeping up to date a publishing agenda and events calendar reflecting the communication interests of ESA and the Directorate for Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes;
- managing the online presence of the European Astronaut Centre and coordinating the publications relating to the LUNA analog facility;
- conceptualising and developing, in coordination with the relevant production team, content for social media to ensure the visibility of the European astronauts, the European Astronaut Centre and the LUNA analog facility;
- ensuring steadfast review and approval of content relating to the European Astronaut Centre, space missions of European astronauts or the LUNA analog facility;
- in coordination with the Member States Outreach Office and the Corporate Media Relations Officer, supporting the implementation of interviews with astronauts and related spokespersons;
- supporting the implementation of news conferences, exhibition participation and public relations events by working in close cooperation with the members of the Corporate and Institutional Communication Office;
- providing the content necessary for the production of brochures, leaflets, posters, factsheets and media kits;
- ensuring a bottom-up information flow regarding content relevant for communications in the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes;
- monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the implemented communication activities in close cooperation with the Member States Outreach Office and the Corporate Media Relations Officer and taking continuous action to improve delivery as required.
Technical competencies
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 and professional experience
A master’s degree in a relevant domain, together with four years of relevant professional experience, is required for this post.
Additional requirements
Significant experience in communication in an international environment.
Knowledge of space science, space technology, space transportation and space engineering and operations, as well as proven experience in communication strategy and planning and campaign management, delivering across all channels.
Knowledge of resource management, as well as web development, usability and analytics, is an advantage.
Proficiency in French and/or German will be considered 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
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.
Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.
The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working 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 and Languages
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, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.