Young Graduate Trainee in Copernicus Space Office

Young Graduate Opportunity in the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes

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 F1 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale .

Location

ESRIN, Frascati, Italy 

Our team and mission

Under the direct authority of the Director of Earth Observation programmes, the Head of the Copernicus Space Office is responsible for programmatic activities relevant to Copernicus and performs the lead role for the strategic and coordination activities related to Copernicus. The Copernicus Space Office acts as interface with the European Commission for Copernicus. The Office is the interface for ESA’s Copernicus activities within and outside ESA, it ensures their coordination by the implementing departments and ensures the oversight of the Copernicus Space Component (CSC).

The activities of the Copernicus Space Office which are relevant to this Young Graduate Trainee position include: 

• coordinating the implementation of Copernicus activities resulting from the European Space Policy and related
• programmatic decisions on Copernicus;
• monitoring the Copernicus services and in-situ components and identifying issues relevant to the space component;
• managing socioeconomic benefit studies to evaluate the impact of Copernicus on a European and global scale;
• promoting Copernicus in its contribution to EU relevant policies and in organising user uptake activities;
• interfacing with EUSPA for Copernicus matters.

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

In this role , you will be working within the new Sentinel Benefits Observatory, which is being set-up in the Copernicus Space Office with the purpose to provide ESA with autonomous impact assessments and benchmarks in support to the improvement of ESA Copernicus services and the Programme’s sustainability. In particular, the Observatory explores and reports on the societal benefits linked to Sentinels data use.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include contributions and support to: 

• Preparing internal notes, presentations and briefings related to the use and benefits of Sentinels data in interesting areas of application and with regards to the support to environmental policies;
• Design and follow-up of studies related to the estimation of socio-economic-environmental benefits derived from the use of Sentinel data, including in interaction with relevant ESA EOP Departments and other ESA Directorates;
• Benchmarking of use cases and of existing relevant studies through dedicated desk research as well as through attendance (remote and/or physical) to conferences relevant for the activities of the Observatory;
• Management of socio-economic-environmental benefits studies undertaken within the Office, including review of contract deliverables, organisation of project reviews and workshops, attendance of interviews with key stakeholders;
• Attendance and administration of meetings related to EO valuation, including in an international context.

With the proposed position, you will acquire a general understanding of Copernicus applications and derived benefits and you will acquire a forward-looking perspective on the future of the Programme. You will learn whodoes-what in the Programme and be exposed to several interfaces both internally in ESA and externally (e.g. with EC, EUSPA, ECMWF, EEA…to mention a few). You will get a working experience about the management of small projects and a general understanding about procurement and project management processes in ESA.

Technical competencies

Knowledge of relevant technical domains

Relevant experience gained during internships/project work

Breadth of exposure coming from past and/or current research/activities

Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your Master’ s degree related to environmental policies, geography, environmental engineering and science, remote sensing

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.

You should also have:

• General knowledge or experience with Earth Observation applications is required. General knowledge of Copernicus is an asset.
• Familiarity with EU policy making and environmental laws would be an asset
• Excellent understanding of English both written and oral is required for ability to follow international conferences in English language

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.

During the interview motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.

Other information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework .

For further information on the Young Graduate Programme please visit: Young Graduate Programme andFAQ Young Graduate Programme

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 [email protected] .

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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, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as  Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus 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 first be given to 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. 

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.