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 Office of Science Engagement and Oversight (SCI-E) oversees the scientific output of all the Space Science missions across all phases, from studies to operations and beyond. The Office also manages engagement, communication and education efforts for the Directorate of Science, with the aim of ensuring that external stakeholders (ranging from advisory bodies, media, scientists, general public and future generations) are informed, engaged and inspired. 

In this role you will be responsible for implementing the Directorate of Science’s overall engagement strategy, including communication and education, as well as serving as Communication Programme Officer for the Science Directorate. You will report to the Head of the Science Engagement and Oversight Office. Up to 50% of your role will involve supporting and working in close cooperation with the Communication Department, reporting functionally for those aspects, to the Head of the Contents Office in the Communication Department.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Strategy: as Science Engagement and Communication Manager you will be responsible for the definition and implementation of the science engagement, communication and education strategy and its connection to ESA’s strategy in these areas;
• Internal coordination: as Science Communication Programme Officer you will ensure the smooth integration of science communications into ESA’s communications teams and coordinate education activities in collaboration with the ESA Education Office;
• Campaigns: you will oversee your team’s work in planning, leading and executing individual campaigns related to science missions and milestones and including the Directorate’s annual communication plan. This involves working closely and coordinating with the offices and departments across the Directorate of Science, the Communication Department and other communication stakeholders across ESA;
• Media relations: you will ensure collaboration with the ESA Media Relations team on behalf of the Directorate of Science, including briefing spokespersons, delivery of talking points, briefing cards, media kits and presentation materials;
• Empowering your team: you will work with small teams of dedicated, creative and experienced professionals and empower them to build engaging narratives to ignite excitement around the world-leading science enabled by the cutting-edge technology developed for ESA Science missions;
• Performance metrics: in addition, you will oversee the collection of key performance indicators to monitor impact of the Science Programme in different stakeholder contexts for regular reporting to Science management as needed. These metrics will be used to inform and update the wider engagement, communication and education strategy of the Directorate.

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Forward Thinking
Communication

Education

A master’s in a relevant domain for this post is required.

Additional requirements

Experience in international communications, particularly in space science, would be an asset.

You should further have:

• the potential to manage individuals or a team communication professionals;
• 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;
• strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
• strong results 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.
• people management experience is an asset, as is international experience, i.e., outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.