European and International Stakeholder Relations Team Leader

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, the Directorate 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.

Under the direct authority of the Future Preparation Group Lead, as the Leader of the European and International Stakeholder Relations Team, you will coordinate all interfaces with ESA Member States and international partners.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• preparing and supporting the implementation of the formal aspects of the Directorate’s programmes, including the preparation of key programme documents, declarations, correspondence and other agreements with Member States, the European Union, international partners, and other external and internal entities, working in close cooperation with ESA’s External Affairs Department (SLE-E) and Legal Services Department (SLE-L) as appropriate;
• preparing the Directorate’s legal agreements, working in close cooperation with the Legal Services Department, and monitoring their correct implementation;
• implementing effective stakeholder management of Participating State delegations, the science community, industry and international partners to ensure an effective two-way flow of information;
• coordinating all Directorate engagement with international partners, supporting the implementation of ongoing cooperation and identifying new international partnerships and governance schemes as appropriate, in coordination with the D/HRE Strategy Team  (HRE-FS) for ISECG;
• ensuring ESA representation on the ISS Systems Operations Panel (SOP) and supporting the Terrae Novae Programme Manager  (HRE-X) in ESA’s ISS Common System Operations Costs (CSOCs) evaluation, offset identification and Data Book documentation;
• providing the secretariat for PB-HME, the Exploration and Utilisation Board (EUB) and the Programme-level advisory committee (HESAC), working in close consultation with the Director General’s Cabinet;
• providing the secretariat for ad hoc committees established to monitor project execution, such as the ExoMars/Rosalind Franklin Tracking Committee;
• ensuring the timely preparation of all formal Directorate documents or the Directorate’s inputs to documents and reports for the ESA Council, boards, committees and external publications;
• managing the Directorate’s interaction with the Adjudication Committee and the Industrial Policy Committee for procurement matters;
• supporting the Programme Manager (HRE-X) by acting as the interface for Directorate activities relating to industrial policy and geographical return to Participating States, including the business cases, ensuring that Participating States’ interests and programmatic information are properly reflected, in close cooperation with the Business Control and Management Support Group  (HRE-P), and supporting the identification of possible corrective actions and future opportunities;
• coordinating the participation of the Directorate at ESA industrial meetings, such as the High-Level Forum, Industry Days and bilateral meetings with industry;
• providing inputs and briefings to the Director General for the ESA Executive Board and Corporate Services meetings as required;
• supporting cross-directorate interactions, for example with the Directorates of Operations, Space Transportation, Connectivity and Secure Communications, Navigation, and Science;
• supporting the Directorate Management Team and representing the Directorate as required.

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

A master’s degree in a relevant domain is required for this post.

Additional requirements

Experience of policy coordination and strategy elaboration in a context of direct exposure to activities addressing industries of relevance to the Agency, Member and non-Member State entities and at international organisations, and experience of high-level interactions/negotiations.

A good knowledge of human and robotic exploration activities and/or programmes would be an asset.

• Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of experts;
• The ability to provide strategic direction to individuals and teams and to relate team objectives to the overall, evolving organisational goals and context;
• The ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• Demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
• A proven track record of representing the Agency’s interests to external interfaces;
• Excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• The ability to anticipate problems, resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• The ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity as well as to support others, such as team members, upper management and other stakeholders, in this process.

People management experience is required. International experience is an asset, including outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.
Mobility is inherent to management functions and this position may be subject to rotation.
Therefore, mobility opportunities may be offered to you as part of your career evolution at ESA, starting after approximately five years in this role.