Junior Professional in Strategic Foresight & Planning
Paris, FR
This post is part of ESA’s Junior Professional Programme. We are looking for enthusiastic candidates with up to 2–3 years of relevant professional experience after their Master's degree to join ESA for a four-year assignment. During this time, you will be actively working and learning on the job and will benefit from valuable mobility and developmental opportunities that will prepare you for a successful career at ESA. Subject to performance, it is therefore the intention to offer you an indefinite contract which will start at the end of the four years.
The selection process for the 2025 cohort of Junior Professionals will take place during Spring 2025, with a projected start date in October or November 2025.
Recruitment will take place at the A1 grade. At the end of the fourth year and if you are offered an indefinite contract at the end of your Junior Professional assignment, you will be upgraded to the A2 grade.
Location
ESA Headquarters, Paris, France or other site, as required.
Developmental assignments form an integral part of the JP Programme and may entail a temporary relocation to another ESA establishment or other location.
Description
The Strategic Foresight and Planning Office helps shape the future of the Agency by going beyond current expectations and imagining a range of plausible futures. We provide the Director General, Programme Directorates and the broader Agency with insights and tools to craft a compelling vision and strategic goals, strengthen resilience, and drive meaningful change.
By leveraging advanced foresight methodologies, we analyse trends across society, geopolitics, economics, technology, environment, law and cultural values. Our work anticipates disruptions, uncovers emerging opportunities and highlights threats, enabling the Agency to navigate uncertainty and make informed, future-ready decisions
Duties
As a Junior Professional in the Strategic Foresight and Planning Office, you will be involved in projects that support the Executive Board and contribute to a diverse range of activities aimed at exploring and shaping the future. These activities include the following:
- Horizon scanning: identifying emerging trends, critical uncertainties and disruptions across various domains, from geopolitics and technology to society and the environment.
- Scenario planning: developing plausible futures and strategic pathways to enhance the Agency’s long-term resilience and decision-making.
- Interdisciplinary studies: analysing complex challenges and opportunities across sectors such as space exploration, innovation, climate action, security and sustainable development.
- Stakeholder engagement: collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to share insights, refine strategic options and foster a culture of foresight across the Agency.
- Tailored foresight support: providing targeted foresight insights for key projects across all space domains or cross-cutting topics such as the future of work, AI, governance, etc.
- Strategic methodology development: exploring and applying innovative foresight methodologies to address complex, fast-evolving issues relevant to the Agency's mission.
Your contributions will directly support ESA’s global preparedness, strategies and programmes, helping ensure that the Agency remains future-ready in an ever-changing world.
Development programme
In addition to your daily work, you will take part in an extensive learning and development programme. From day one, you will learn on the job and benefit from tailored development opportunities, including participation in technical and key skills training courses.
Furthermore, there is a mobility component to the Junior Professional Programme that can be either an internal rotation to another team within ESA, an external secondment outside of ESA or a combination of both. Internal rotations aim to boost your professional experience and knowledge of the European Space Agency, whereas external secondments aim to boost your professional experience and knowledge of the European space sector.
In the context of this particular post, a secondment to the foresight team of another international organisation is envisaged.
This programme represents a significant investment by ESA in your personal and professional development and is designed to provide you with the required knowledge and skills for a career at ESA. You can expect to be given many opportunities to develop your professional experience and competencies, to learn from ESA experts and to contribute to ESA activities.
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 a relevant discipline is required for this post. Particular attention will be given to candidates with an interdisciplinary academic profile combining two or more of the follow fields: Futures Studies, Social Sciences, Environmental & Sustainability Science, Science and Technology Studies (STS), Innovation Studies or Anthropology.
Additional requirements
You should have between two and three years of professional experience, preferably in a relevant domain, after completion of your Master's degree.
Strong analytical, research and writing skills are required. Flexibility and adaptability to work on diverse and evolving topics are essential.
Strong creative and problem-solving skills to develop innovative solutions and identify emerging opportunities are desirable.
Familiarity with foresight methodologies (such as scenario planning, horizon scanning or the Delphi method) or related tools is an advantage.
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.