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

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.