Head of the Actionable Climate Information Section

Job Requisition ID: 18893

Date Posted: 11 September 2024

Closing Date: 2 October 2024 23:59 CET/CEST

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

Under the authority of the Head of the Climate and Long-Term Action Division, the Head of the ESA Actionable Climate Information Section will be responsible for the provision of climate-relevant information based on space data and their exploitation in the international climate network.

You will support and advise on the detailed scientific goals of the various international scientific and operational user communities concerned with international climate research, modelling, mitigation and adaptation activities.

Your tasks will include:

• Implementing the Climate Change Initiative as subscribed and approved by ESA Member States following the Council meeting at ministerial level in 2022.
• Ensuring that a long-term strategic view is taken for the ESA Actionable Climate Information Section, including the evolution of the Climate Change Initiative in the context of the international climate network and ESA climate activities in the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes and beyond.
• Fostering collaboration across the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes, in particular within the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department (EOP-S), and contributing actively to interdepartmental activities such as the EO science strategy and collaboration across EOP-S.
• Liaising with the international climate network to connect ESA’s activities to international initiatives, such as those of UNFCCC, IPCC, EU DGs, GCOS, WCRP, CEOS, CGMS and GEO.
• Maintaining a proactive dialogue with the climate research and modelling communities worldwide, analysing their needs for long-term satellite-based observations of the climate system as expressed through the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), and assessing their feedback on available EO data records.
• Maintaining links and ensuring coherence with relevant climate activities of ESA Member States and international partner organisations, in particular regarding UNFCCC action.
• Interacting with operational partners internal and external to ESA to transfer climate science and modelling capabilities developed under a research and development context into an operational framework.
• Working proactively with operational climate services, including Copernicus services, EUMETSAT and national entities.
• Providing the programmatic framework and long-term vision for climate-relevant information curation, archiving, communication and outreach activities.
• Supporting the Directorate- and Agency-wide activities relating to climate, including but not limited to Space for a Green Future, Agenda 2025, the ESA Strategy 2040 and other long-term actions under related programme proposals.
• Communicating ESA climate research and development achievements and their translation into tangible applications.
• Managing the Section’s team of staff and contractors.
• Supporting the work of the young ESA workforce, including Young Graduate Trainees and Research Fellows.

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

Knowledge of climate science and modelling and remote sensing.

Knowledge of and involvement in the international climate network, including UNFCCC, IPCC, EU DGs, GCOS, WCRP, CEOS, CGMS and GEO.

Experience in the management of research and development projects.

Knowledge of international and national climate policies and programmes.

A master's in a relevant Earth Observation satellite remote sensing-based Earth science discipline is required for this post.

A PhD in a relevant Earth Observation satellite remote sensing-based Earth science discipline will be considered a substantial asset.

You should have a demonstrable reputation and credibility in the science community, built on experience in performing independent research in a relevant Earth surfaces and interior domain.

You should be familiar with current and future planned concepts and instrumentation under study or implementation within the relevant EOP programme domains. Particular importance will be attached to your ability to manage a team, your credibility within the Earth Observation remote sensing user community, and your familiarity with the programmatic outlook in the Earth Explorer, Earth Watch, and Copernicus Programme domains.

You should have:

• Demonstrated potential to manage individuals or a team in a project setting.
• The ability to organise individual and team 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, constructive feedback.
• Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills.
• A strong result 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.

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.

In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

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.

Please note that applications can only be 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, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

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.