Our team and mission

The Accounting Division oversees financial accounting, cost accounting and fixed assets accounting. It is responsible for defining, operating and controlling the Agency’s financial accounting system and for the planning and coordination of the periodic and annual closures, as well as the preparation of periodic cost reports and the Agency’s annual Financial Statements in accordance with IPSAS accounting standards. It provides cost accounting services and ensures the quality, accuracy, consistency and completeness of all accounting and cost data, including cost allocation to programmes, projects and activities. It manages and controls the financial and cost accounting master data. The Division acts as the main interface to the Audit Commission, providing justification and evidence relating to accounting issues as required. The Division, supported by the Controlling Division, defines the Agency-wide charging and pricing policies and establishes rates for manpower, facilities and services to be used for cost accounting purposes. It monitors and reports on the evolution of manpower and facilities recharges, internal recharges and consumption of the commitment ceilings.

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

Over the past ten years, the Agency has focused on producing reliable, traceable and auditable financial data. With the development of new tools capable of handling and visualising a large amount of data, the Agency now wishes to use these data for analysis and assessment.

As a Young Graduate Trainee, you will, under the supervision of a tutor, participate in the deep analysis of data and then determine the best way to represent it visually to managers and stakeholders. You will also be actively involved in the definition of key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with critical processes.

You will learn and develop the typical responsibilities of a data analyst, i.e.:

• interpreting data, analysing results using statistical techniques and providing reports on an ongoing basis;
• developing and implementing databases, data collection systems, data analytics and other strategies that optimise statistical efficiency and quality;
• acquiring data from primary or secondary data sources and maintaining databases/data systems;
• identifying, analysing and interpreting trends or patterns in complex data sets;
• filtering and “cleaning” data;
• working with management to prioritise business and information needs;
• identifying and defining new process improvement opportunities.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

You should have just completed or be in the final year of your master’s degree in economics, data science, information management or statistics.

Additional requirements

Technical knowledge of the Microsoft Power BI data visualisation tool is desirable.

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.

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.

During the interview, your motivation and overall professional career goals will also be explored.