ESA Graduate Trainee in Strategy Coordination
Paris, FR
Location
ESA Headquarters, Paris, France
Our team and mission
The Strategy Coordination team supports the European Space Agency's Strategy Department in the definition and implementation of the overall ESA strategy. It is responsible for the coordination and consolidation of actions and programme proposals to support the Director General, in the preparation of the ESA Council meeting at ministerial level at the end of 2025. It is embedded into the Directorate of Strategy, Legal and External Matters, which is responsible for ESA’s strategy, coordination and foresight, legal services, and international policy. It is responsible for conducting, under the leadership of the Director General, the reflection on the strategic evolution of Europe in space and its future governance.
The Strategy Coordination team is responsible for coordinating strategic analysis and the evolution of ESA's framework, programmes and financial planning, particularly in preparation for Council meetings at the ministerial level. It manages the ESA Long-Term Plan (LTP), monitors and reports on the Agency’s Performance, and oversees strategy implementation. It also prepares space-related background and strategic policy papers, as well as contributing to the implementation of strategy-related recommendations from the Digital Transformation initiative. It is also responsible for preparing the ESA Annual Report and the Director General's reports to the Council, as well as analysing the strategic evolution of ESA’s footprint in Member States.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
As an ESA Graduate Trainee in Strategy Coordination, you will have the opportunity to:
- Support coordinating strategic analysis, evaluation, and evolution of ESA´s legal framework, administrative structures, programmes and financial planning as part of the Strategy Coordination responsibilities
- Support deploying, implementing, and monitoring strategically important reform and transformation activities
- Support the internal and external reporting and presentation of results and achievements
- Gain from a hands-on introduction to ESA’s institutional framework, structures, programmes and policies, and of the European and international space sector
- Gain from a hands-on introduction to the Agency's relationship with other space agencies, European institutions and other key partner organisations and institutions
- Gain experience in preparing and coordinating complex risk management processes
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
You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’s degree, preferably in a technical or scientific discipline. A social science background can also be considered.
Additional requirements
You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.
Data science skills are considered an asset.
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.
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 can only be 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, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
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 be given 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.