Job Description

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

IRIS² Future Services Integration and Exploitation Officer in the IRIS² Integrated Programme Team (IPT), Secure Connectivity Programme Department, Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity.

The European Union Secure Connectivity Programme currently provides governmental services under the IRIS² Concession Agreement through a concession scheme. Future activities, including Direct to Device (D2D) and Satellite Internet of Things (IoT), may be integrated into the existing concession scheme or implemented through new contracts, notably through public-private partnerships. To support this activity, ESA is launching complementary activities under Element 3 of the programme agreed upon at the Council meeting at ministerial level in 2025 (CM25), addressing narrowband and broadband communications, other governmental services and the extension of the Satellite Transport Layer services. These activities will also prepare for future evolutions of the current IRIS² architecture.

Reporting functionally to the European Commission Exploitation Manager within the Commission/ESA IRIS2 IPT and hierarchically to the ESA IRIS2 Future Programmes Manager, you will be responsible for preparing future service exploitation models, for Direct to Device and Satellite Internet of Things for example, within the Union Secure Connectivity Programme, as well as ensuring coordination between Commission and ESA initiatives.

Duties

• under the direct authority of the Exploitation Manager, taking overall responsibility for the preparation of the exploitation model(s) for new service integration into IRIS² from a programmatic and strategic point of view;
• interfacing with and relying on ESA for supervision of industrial activities relating to the development and validation activities in accordance with the Contribution Agreement and the Programme Management Plan;
• interfacing with DG CONNECT and other relevant services of the Commission on matters relating to the implementation of the Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) Decision and related legislative acts;
• interfacing with the Member States’ relevant authorities to facilitate the timely implementation of IRIS² IoT and D2D;
• preparing the various elements of the relevant contracts in close cooperation with the IPT;
• interfacing with the Satellite Navigation Unit of the European Commission to study and provide for the integration of new services, such as Positioning, Navigation and Timing, into the new hardgov services;
• reporting to the Exploitation Manager of the IPT and supporting them as needed;
• supporting the establishment of new structures within the Commission and ESA addressing IRIS² usage in the context of an overall system-of-systems approach (European Resilience System intiatives).

Technical competencies

Experience of working on EU governmental services (hardgov services).

Knowledge of the IRIS² Regulation and Concession Agreement.

Knowledge of or experience in the European Commission internal decision-making process, the EU interinstitutional environment and comitology (relations with EU Member States).

Knowledge of or experience in the procurement process within the European Commission and the EU Financial Regulation.

Knowledge of or experience in matters relating to resilience, preparedness and civil-military cooperation in an EU context.

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 engineering is required.

Additional requirements

The following are considered assets for this position:

• previous experience with Galileo or satellite navigation;
• additional education or professional experience in international relations or EU affairs.

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 & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.

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.