Copernicus Space Component Technical Officer

Description

Copernicus Space Component Technical Officer within the Copernicus Space Office in the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes (D/EOP).

Under the direct authority of the Director of Earth Observation Programmes the Copernicus Space Office is responsible for programmatic activities relevant to Copernicus and performs the lead role for the strategic and coordination activities relating to Copernicus. The Office acts as an interface with the European Commission for Copernicus. The Copernicus Space Office is the interface for ESAs Copernicus activities within and external to ESA. It ensures their coordination by the implementing departments and ensures the oversight of the Copernicus Space Component (CSC).

Reporting to the Head of the Copernicus Space Office and for the tasks under the responsibility of the Office you will manage and perform technical analyses relating to the Copernicus Space Component including its long-term plan with the elaboration of Space Component technical scenarios based on financial and programmatic constraints. You will be responsible for the coordination and consolidation of inputs for official reporting of Copernicus Space Component activities to the European Commission and ESA Member States ensuring accuracy consistency and compliance with ESA obligations. You will manage the organisation and strategic agenda-setting for bilateral meetings with the European Commission ensuring follow-up on ESA actions and alignment with Commission expectations through effective cross-departmental coordination.

Duties

Your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• managing and performing technical and critical analyses relating to the Copernicus Space Component including its long-term plan with the elaboration of Space Component technical scenarios based on financial and programmatic constraints. This will include the preparation of detailed Sentinel deployment and operations schedules for each of the scenarios;
• managing coordinating and consolidating inputs for official reporting of Copernicus Space Component activities to the European Commission as per the formal Contribution Agreement and the Copernicus Agreement and to ESA Member States ensuring accuracy consistency and compliance with ESA obligations. This relates to the quarterly implementation reports quarterly status reports annual implementation reports annual work plans and multiannual implementation reports as well as additional ad hoc reporting; it also includes the coordination of letters of reply to the questions received on these reports;
• managing the organisation and strategic agenda-setting for bilateral meetings at technical level with the European Commission ensuring follow-up on ESA actions and alignment with Commission expectations through effective cross-department coordination and preparing annotated agendas for the Head of the Copernicus Space Office with the issues to be considered before each bilateral meeting;
• providing leadership in preparing high-level briefings analyses and technical materials for ESA decision-makers in particular on technical and strategic topics regarding the Copernicus Space Component;
• managing comprehensive and critical analysis of the global EO New Space sector and preparing bi-annual reports for the Director of Earth Observation Programmes in coordination with relevant D/EOP teams;
• providing technical input into the release of Copernicus articles in magazines Copernicus technical brochures and factsheets and other outreach material;
• preparing presentations briefings annotated agendas or any other type of material on the status issues and future of the Copernicus Space Component in terms of programmatics technology or policy for ESA stakeholders.

Your duties will also include supporting other activities within your field of competence.

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 masters degree in physics or an engineering discipline relevant to this position is required.

Additional requirements

• Excellent analytical and organisational skills coupled with the ability to anticipate problems and assess situations within their broader context.
• Strong background in Earth Observation with at least 15 years of experience in the field.

Experience of a working relationship with the European Commission is considered an asset.