EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
Head of the Programmatic IT Section
Job Req ID: 17118
Closing Date: 13 February 2023 23:59 CET/CEST
Establishment: ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain
Directorate: Directorate of Science
Publication: Internal & External
Vacancy Type: Permanent
Date Posted: 23 January 2023
Vacancy in the Directorate of Science.
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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
This post is classified A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’
salary scale.
Location
ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain
Description
The European Space Agency maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. Its mission is to “Empower Europe to lead space science”.
The Science and Operations Department (SCI-S), within ESA's Directorate of Science, hosts the scientists and engineers that oversee the space missions from study to end of operations. It develops the science operation systems for the missions and operates the missions in space, archiving and curating their data during operations and beyond. Our main objective is to maximise the scientific output of these missions for the benefit of humankind.
If selected for the position of Head of the Programmatic IT Section, you will work under the direct responsibility of the Head of the Data Science and Archives Division (SCI-SA) within SCI-S.
Duties
You will be responsible for formulating and implementing the programmatic IT strategy of the Directorate of Science. You will oversee the planning, design, implementation, operations and evolution of all programmatic IT infrastructure and applications supporting scientific and special business activities.
In close cooperation with ESA’s corporate IT Department, the main objectives of the Section are to provide reliable, secure and efficient programmatic IT infrastructure and applications not covered by the corporate infrastructure. The stakeholders are all the projects and activities within the Directorate of Science.
You will manage the team of ESA staff and ensure that their work is efficiently supported by service companies and industrial contracts within a service-oriented, positive and motivating work environment. You will be expected to strive for innovation and excellence in proposing cost-effective, sustainable IT solutions for the Directorate while closely collaborating with ESA’s corporate IT Department in providing the required services. You will ensure that projects and missions, as well as the business and management activities in the Directorate, are served in their IT needs.
Additional specific responsibilities will include:
- ensuring the Directorate’s programmatic IT infrastructure, applications and services are compliant with the ESA Security Directives and ESA Personal Data Protection Policy;
- coordinating, with all of the Directorate’s managers, the level of service required for programmatic IT support in their areas;
- coordinating the Directorate’s programmatic IT procurements;
- supporting the Directorate’s IT Manager on any ESA-wide IT matters.
Technical competencies
Experience in managing IT services and operations
Experience in implementing complex IT-related projects
Knowledge of key elements of IT disciplines (architecture, development and services) and related processes, frameworks and implementation technologies
Strategic vision & business context
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
A master's degree in computer engineering, space science or space applications is required for this post.
Additional Requirements
As an ESA manager, you will also be required to have the following:
- The potential to manage individuals or a team of experts;
- The ability to organise their activities and ensure a motivating work environment;
- Strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
- The ability to drive your team’s performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and giving regular and constructive feedback;
- A strategic vision and knowledge of the business context;
- Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
- Strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing;
- The ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer focused.
The following would also be an asset for this position:
- People management experience and international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities;
- Experience in procurement processes and contract management as well as applied negotiation skills;
- Experience in science operations, preferably in the context of ESA missions.
Other Information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the
ESA Competency Framework.
For further information please visit:
Professionals,
What we offer and
FAQ
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.
The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.
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 email
contact.human.resources@esa.int.
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from
under-represented or balanced Member States*.
In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service.
Recruitment will normally be at the first grade in the band (A2); however, if the candidate selected has little or no experience, the position may be filled at A1 level.
- Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.