Junior Professional in Copernicus Contributing Missions and VHR Data Solutions Coordination
Frascati, IT
This post is part of ESA’s Junior Professional Programme. We are looking for enthusiastic candidates with up to 3 years of relevant professional experience after their Master's degree to join ESA for a four-year assignment. During this time, you will be actively working and learning on the job and will benefit from valuable mobility and developmental opportunities that will prepare you for a successful career at ESA. Subject to performance, it is therefore the intention to offer you an indefinite contract which will start at the end of the four years.
Recruitment will take place at the A1 grade on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale. At the end of the fourth year and if you are offered an indefinite contract at the end of your Junior Professional assignment, you will be upgraded to the A2 grade.
Location
ESRIN, Frascati, Italy or other site, as required.
Developmental assignments form an integral part of the Junior Professional Programme and may entail a temporary relocation to another ESA establishment or other location.
Description
Junior Professional for Copernicus Contributing Missions and VHR (Very High Resolution) Data Solutions in the EO Mission Management and Product Quality Division, Earth Observation Mission Management and Ground Segment Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes (EOP).
You will be responsible for supporting the coordination of Copernicus Contributing Missions activities performed by the EOP Directorate and funded by the EU Copernicus programme, and for supporting the definition and implementation of the programme’s evolution.
You will also be responsible for supporting the coordination of other VHR data solutions to support ESA’s internal and external programmatic initiatives.
Within the context of the Copernicus Contributing Missions, which are part of the Copernicus programme, ESA plays a pivotal role in the selection, evaluation, integration and management of Earth Observation (EO) data, particularly VHR data, from various commercial providers for the benefit of Copernicus users, managing the programmatic interface with the European Commission, establishing contracts with European EO data suppliers and space start-ups, and ensuring that the observational and very high quality data requirements of the Copernicus services in terms of systematic and on-demand data provision are met.
Under the Copernicus Contributing Mission activities, ESA is particularly active in identifying suitable innovative EO commercial data solutions from the NewSpace sector (such as thermal, atmospheric composition, hyperspectral and radio frequency commercial data) and in setting up pilot pre-operational activities to prepare and sustain the involvement of NewSpace EO actors in providing data and services in the Copernicus operational context.
In the context of VHR data solutions, ESA is expanding on the ESA customer role with commercial and national Earth Observation missions, including NewSpace missions, offering competences as a trusted technical authority, while offering flexible coordination and data solutions brokerage, tailored to the different user needs of stakeholders, both internal to ESA and external (e.g. at national level).
Duties
You will report to the EO Third Party Missions Manager and to the Head of the EO Mission Management and Product Quality Division. Your work will involve the coordination of activities performed under the EU Copernicus Contributing Missions Activity, which is part of Copernicus, the Earth Observation component of the EU Space Programme. The programme aims to provide the Copernicus services with consistent access to complementary commercial and national EO missions in addition to the data from the Copernicus Sentinel missions, in line with evolving needs for augmented spatial, spectral and temporal resolution.
Your work will also include the coordination of VHR data solutions for ESA-led activities, and potentially for other stakeholders.
Your main duties will be as follows:
- supporting the ongoing transformation and consolidation of the Copernicus Contributing Missions Activity to ensure optimal business continuity in terms of EO data provisioning to Copernicus services, the improved fulfilment of user needs and the gradual onboarding of an evolving European data provider industry, including European emerging data providers;
- monitoring the evolving EO data needs of users that can potentially be met by the Copernicus Contributing Missions and ESA Third Party Missions Programme for operational and research purposes;
- supporting the provision of flexible coordination and data brokerage functions, tailored to different user needs;
- analysing the evolving supply of all types of EO data on a global scale, with a particular focus on the commercial EO data supply, including VHR EO data;
- performing market research on industry’s offerings in the space, ground and user segments, including trends in EO information services, data analytics, data distribution methodologies, data access and screening the evolving global NewSpace EO systems market.
Development Programme
In addition to your daily work, you will take part in an extensive learning and development programme. From day one, you will learn on the job and benefit from tailored development opportunities, including participation in technical and key skills training courses.
Furthermore, there is a mobility component to the Junior Professional Programme that can take the form of an internal rotation to another team within ESA, an external secondment outside of ESA or a combination of both. Internal rotations aim to boost your professional experience and knowledge of the European Space Agency, whereas external secondments aim to boost your professional experience and knowledge of the European space sector.
This programme represents a significant investment by ESA in your personal and professional development and is designed to provide you with the required knowledge and skills for a career at ESA. You can expect to be given many opportunities to develop your professional experience and competencies, to learn from ESA experts and to contribute to ESA activities.
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 Earth sciences, engineering or economics is required for this post with up to three years of professional experience.
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. 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.
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.