Head of the Space Transportation Contracts Division
Paris, FR
Location
ESA Headquarters, Paris, France
Description
Head of the Space Transportation Contracts Division, reporting directly to the Head of the ESA Contracts Department, Directorate of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness.
Composed of a dozen contract officers and administrative assistants working across three sites (HQ and Daumesnil in Paris and ESRIN in Frascati, Italy), the Division currently comprises two services, one in charge of launcher development activities, with two contracts officers for Vega in ESRIN, and the other in Paris in charge of accompanying programmes and space launcher infrastructure activities. You will be expected to propose an adaptation of the Division’s organisation to better align with the expected evolution of ESA’s space transportation programmes.
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- preparing and implementing contracting strategies in coordination with the Programme and/or the Director of Space Transportation Programmes, including the execution of related procurement actions through invitations to tender, requests for quotation and contracts within the framework of ESA space transportation programmes;
- managing procurements relating to the EU Framework Programme for Space Transportation in close coordination with the Head of the EU Contracts Division (CIC-CP);
- ensuring that all procurements and third-party agreements under the Division’s responsibility are fully aligned with the Agency’s contracting rules, methods, and procedures;
- contributing to the decision-making processes of relevant bodies, and preparing documentation on all matters of contractual significance;
- supporting the review and adaptation of procurement processes in the context of a revised or evolving role for the Agency in the exploitation phase of space transportation;
- acting as the primary point of contact for the initiating service at Head of Department or Director level on all matters falling within the remit of the Contracts Division;
- implementing the Agency’s industrial policy through procurement activities, underpinned by a strong understanding of procurement law and policy in international space programmes;
- carrying out these responsibilities in close coordination with colleagues responsible for financial matters and with the Legal Services Department.
You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing, and reporting health and safety risks within 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 ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Education
A master’s degree in law, business and/or economics is required for this post.
Additional requirements
In addition, you should have:
- proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of contract officers in an international organisation, industry or public administration;
- the ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Division 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 make 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, beginning after approximately five years in this role.
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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
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
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, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
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*.
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.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.