EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
Project Controller
Job Req ID: 17545
Closing Date: 1 June 2023 23:59 CET/CEST
Establishment: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Directorate: Directorate of Navigation
Publication: Internal & External
Vacancy Type: Permanent
Date Posted: 11 May 2023
Vacancy in the Directorate of Navigation.
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
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Description
Project Controller in the Galileo Programme Management Support Office, Navigation Programme Management Support Office, Directorate of Navigation.
You will report to the Head of the Galileo First Generation Project Control Unit with a functional reporting line to the project manager(s) of the assigned project(s) and direct interface with ESA corporate control, finance, and procurement, as well as with the industrial contractors for all matters in their domain of activity.
You will be assigned initially to a particular project.
You will be responsible for supporting the project manager(s) on all activities related to project cost, schedule, and risks, as well as project management processes and administrative functions, and for providing reporting to the Business Unit Controller, required for the Directorate’s internal and external reporting.
You will hold key responsibilities in the preparation, procurement and monitoring of complex procurements, from the preparation of work plans and tendering to the closure of contracts, and for management, reporting, financial and planning aspects. You will have multiple interfaces within and external to ESA, including negotiations with industrial contractors, and will play a key role in supporting the project manager(s) in programmatic decision-making.
Duties
Typical project control tasks and responsibilities include:
- preparing, developing and maintaining the overall programmatic aspects of the project/missions, including space segment, payload, launch, ground segment, system and system tools and Agency-provided services. The programmatic aspects include work breakdown structure, cost, finance, schedule, reporting, risks, logistics, configuration, documentation, progress control and industrial organisational statistics, as well as general project administration;
- implementing and operating planning and control procedures to provide full visibility on the progress of all activities using established procedures and information systems; this includes maintenance in the ESA ERP system of project-related data;
- supporting inventory control and asset management for the assigned projects;
- assisting in the preparation of tender documents with respect to cost, management, risk and schedule/planning requirements and participating in the evaluation of proposals; preparing information required for subsequent contract negotiations and participating in all tasks relating to the placing of contracts, including negotiations with industry as well as with the European Commission/EUSPA;
- supporting the closure of industrial contracts and the financial year closure exercise;
- implementing, within the framework of the Agency-wide risk management policy, risk management procedures and identifying potential problem areas therein, proposing mitigation actions and preparing risk reports as required;
- supporting the organisation of project reviews and participating in reviews in your areas of project control-related responsibility;
- preparing reports as required and providing inputs for periodic reporting to the European Commission, EUSPA, ESA Member States, project management and the Business Unit Controller;
- contributing to preparing preliminary change implementation proposals in response to European Commission and/or EUSPA change requests for agreements in place, as well as to the procurement work plans;
- interfacing with industry, the European Commission, EUSPA and security accreditation bodies on financial, programmatic and schedule control matters;
- ensuring industry compliance with established formal requirements for management, costs, schedule and risk reporting;
- coordinating the configuration management function that provides support for the establishment and maintenance of the project’s technical and programmatic baselines;
- contributing to maintaining the Galileo System design, development and validation plan and to detailed Galileo work schedules for industry and the European Commission/EUSPA, as well as other schedules or customer undertaking documents assisting in the definition and implementation of planning and control procedures to provide visibility on overall project-related activities.
Technical competencies
Understanding of the relevant ESA and EU procurement regulations
Cost and financial regulatory framework, including accounting standards and auditing
Understanding of space system architectures
Project and risk management
Budgeting, cost control and resources and activities planning
Strong analytical and reporting skills
Expert knowledge of SAP-based ERP systems and related queries
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
A master's degree in engineering or business administration is required for this post.
Additional Requirements
Previous professional experience as a manager or a controller in a project or programme, preferably at Agency or industry level.
The following competencies are considered assets for this position:
- Experience in another function in finance, controlling and auditing;
- Knowledge and/or understanding of space systems architecture;
- At least five years of experience in the application of project management and project control principles and advanced project control techniques, as well as in the preparation, negotiation and implementation of major industrial procurements;
- Engineering experience in a project or programme.
Applicants must be eligible for personal security clearance by their national security administration.
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 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.