112g - Project Officer Space

European Defence Agency; Brussel Hoofdstad; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 110,000; Part time

Job summary

European Defence Agency (EDA) in Brussels seeks a Project Officer Space on a Seconded National Expert contract to support the CAP Directorate in space, positioning, and earth observation initiatives. The role is under the Head of the Air & Space Domain Unit and focuses on developing priorities and coordinating with EU bodies and Member States.

You will coordinate working groups, liaise with the EC, SATCEN, ESA and NATO, and help manage contracting and collaborative opportunities for Space-Based

Responsibilities

• define, develop, implement and review the relevant Capability Development Priorities, objectives, and timelines, in close cooperation with operational directorates and under the supervision of the Head of Unit
• update when required, in conjunction with Member States’ representatives, the Priority Implementation Roadmaps
• undertake relevant activities as outlined in the Priority Implementation Roadmaps, implementing the EU Capability Development priorities by identifying, collecting, analysing and harmonising capability requirements, promoting and proposing collaborative projects within the jobholder’s area of responsibility
• provide input into relevant strategies and policies that may emanate from within the Agency, or addressed to the Agency, and provide views and analysis at a strategic level of documents when requested
• coordinate activities related to the Agency’s Three-Year Planning Framework within the jobholder’s area of responsibility
• provide support to top management and contribute to the preparation and conduct of meetings with Member States’ representatives and other institutions
• coordinate and/or chair relevant working groups of Member States’ experts and of national and international organisations, collect requirements, analyse and develop project proposals in relevant fields
• liaise and maintain appropriate links with stakeholders regarding space activities including with the European Commission, the EU Satellite Centre (SATCEN), the European Space Agency (ESA) and, where appropriate, other relevant institutions and bodies such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO); participate in conferences, seminars, and other similar activities within the jobholder’s subject matter area.

Job description

112g - Project Officer Space at the European Defence Agency (EDA), Brussels, Belgium. Contract type: Agency’s Seconded National Expert. Grade: AD9/AD10. Directorate: Capability, Armament and Planning Directorate (CAP). Reference: EDA/2026/112g. Security clearance: SECRET UE/EU SECRET. Application deadline: 2027-01-07.

BACKGROUND

The European Defence Agency (EDA) was established on 12 July 2004, and isgoverned by CouncilDecision (CFSP) 2015/1835 defining the statute, seat and operational rules of the European Defence Agency. The Agency has its headquarters in Brussels.

The main task of EDA is to support the Council and the Member States in their effort to improve the Union's defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) as it currently stands and as it develops in the future.

The Agency is structured into four directorates. The Corporate Services Directorate (CSD) and three operational directorates: Capability, Armament & Planning (CAP); Procurement, Support, Industry & Interoperability (PSII); Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI).

THE AGENCY'S WAY OF WORKING

The Agency is an "outward-facing" organisation, constantly interacting with its shareholders, the Member States, as well as with a wide range of stakeholders. It works in an integrated way, with multi-disciplinary teams representing all of the Agency’s functional areas, to realise its objectives. Its business processes are flexible and oriented towards achieving results. Staff at all levels need to demonstrate the corresponding qualities of commitment, flexibility, innovation, and team-working; to work effectively with shareholders and stakeholder groups, formal and informal; and to operate without the need for detailed direction.

THE CAPABILITY, ARMAMENT AND PLANNING DIRECTORATE (CAP)

The Capability, Armament & Planning Directorate (CAP) supports Member States in collaboratively planning, developing and acquiring defence capabilities that meet their needs as well as EU priorities. This implies supporting Member States in identifying, preparing and supporting the execution of possible cooperation projects and programmes ranging from long term military capability development to short term armament procurement. This includes obtaining agreement on shared needs and related priorities, harmonising capability requirements and conducting capability development preparatory activities across all dimensions of capabilities (concept & doctrine, organisation, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, facilities, and interoperability). It also includes aggregating demand towards joint procurement of defence products and services.

The Directorate, together with Member States and with the support of other competent EU institutions and bodies, operates the intergovernmental EU Capability Development Planning System (EU-CDPS) comprising several EU tools. The Capability Development Plan (CDP), managed with the EU Military Committee (EUMC) and EU Military Staff (EUMS) contributions, leads to the identification of Capability Development Priorities agreed at EU level as a reference for all EU initiatives on Defence. The Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), conducted with the contribution of EUMS, enables the analysis of the "State of the Union on Defence" and to identify opportunities for cooperation. The Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), conducted together with the European External Action Service (EEAS), including EUMS, coordinates the analysis of the annual PESCO National Implementation Plans to assess the participating Member States’ fulfilment of the PESCO commitments, assesses Member States' PESCO project proposals and monitors their progress.

Within EU-CDPS, the Directorate engages with Member States’ capability planners and experts to implement the EU Capability Development Priorities based on agreed collaborative roadmaps. When preparatory activities enable the identification of a possible cooperation project, the Directorate supports Member States interested in the project by elaborating a business case with them.

The CAP Directorate comprises six units and one Coordination and Strategic Analysis Office. Five units address capability development and armament procurement activities of operational domains associated to EU agreed priorities and one operates the EU-CDPS and related processes and tools:

• Air & Space Domain Unit: Air Combat, Airborne Command and Inform Capabilities, Integrated Air and Missile Defence, Air Transport, Space Operations and Space Services;
• Maritime Domain Unit: Naval Combat and Maritime Interdiction, Underwater and Seabed Warfare, Maritime Domain Awareness;
• Land Domain Unit: Ground Combat Capabilities, Land-Based Precision Engagement, Future Soldier Systems;
• Strategic Enablers & Cyber Unit: Cyber Warfare & Operations, Electro Magnetic Spectrum Operations & Electronic Warfare, Command / Control / Communications / Computers / Information Systems / Surveillance / Target Acquisition & Reconnaissance (C4ISTAR), Special Operation Forces;
• Resilience & Support Unit: Military Mobility, Logistics, CBRN Defence, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Medical Support, Energy;
• Maritime Unit: Naval Combat and Maritime Interdiction, Underwater and Seabed Warfare, Maritime Domain Awareness;
• Cooperation Planning Unit: Management of EU-CDPS, including the conduct of the Capability Development Plan, CARD and PESCO.

Based on this organization, in coordination with other Directorates, CAP supports Member States with concrete proposals for cooperation at levels ranging from the technical to the political, while actively contributing to various capability-related initiatives launched by Member States at EU level, such as the EU Defence Readiness objective and associated Priority Capability Areas.

DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Head of Air & Space Domain Unit, the Project Officer Space will be responsible for the following activities:

• define, develop, implement and review the relevant Capability Development Priorities, objectives, and timelines, in close cooperation with operational directorates and under the supervision of the Head of Unit;
• update when required, in conjunction with Member States’ representatives, the Priority Implementation Roadmaps;
• undertake relevant activities as outlined in the Priority Implementation Roadmaps, implementing the EU Capability Development priorities by identifying, collecting, analysing and harmonising capability requirements, promoting and proposing collaborative projects within the jobholder’s area of responsibility;
• provide input into relevant strategies and policies that may emanate from within the Agency, or addressed to the Agency, and provide views and analysis at a strategic level of documents when requested, in relation to the jobholder’s area of responsibility;
• coordinate activities related to the Agency’s Three-Year Planning Framework within the jobholder’s area of responsibility;
• provide support to top management and contribute to the preparation and conduct of meetings with Member States’ representatives and other institutions;
• coordinate and/or chair relevant working groups of Member States’ experts and of national and international organisations, collect requirements, analyse and develop project proposals in relevant fields;
• liaise and maintain appropriate links with stakeholders regarding space activities including with the European Commission, the EU Satellite Centre (SATCEN), the European Space Agency (ESA) and, where appropriate, other relevant institutions and bodies such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO); participate in conferences, seminars, and other similar activities within the jobholder’s subject matter area.

In the area of Space-Based Earth Observation:

• develop the future orientation of Space-Based Earth Observation activities from a capability development prospect, operating with a cross-unit and cross-directorate approach and providing regular reporting as required to inform the Agency’s management;
• liaise, and contribute where relevant, with stakeholders regarding Space-Based Earth Observation activities including with the European Commission, the European Space Agency and, where appropriate, other relevant institutions and bodies;
• gain/maintain a technical, legal and operational knowledge of the military and civilian Space-Based Earth Observation matters;
• support and, where appropriate, chair the relevant working groups on, Space-Based Earth Observation, ensuring effective coordination with participating Member States and relevant stakeholders;
• manage contracting processes for outsourced activities related to Space-Based Earth Observation;
• develop, manage and animate collaborative opportunities on Space-Based Earth Observation and their implementation;
• maintain a high-level of operational knowledge of the evolution of the EU activities related to Space-Based Earth Observation for Defence applications (EU Space Programme, European Defence Fund, PESCO projects, etc.).

In the area of Positioning, Navigation & Timing:

• develop the future orientation of Positioning, Navigation & Timing activities from a capability development perspective, working across-units and directorates and providing regular reporting as required to inform the Agency’s management;
• support and, where appropriate, chair the relevant working groups on Positioning, Navigation & Timing, ensuring effective coordination with participating Member States and relevant stakeholders;
• manage contracting processes for outsourced activities related to Positioning, Navigation & Timing;
• develop, manage and animate collaborative opportunities on Positioning, Navigation & Timing;
• maintain a high-level of operational knowledge of the evolution of the EU activities related to Positioning, Navigation & Timing for Defence applications (EU Space Programme, European Defence Fund, PESCO projects, etc.);
• maintain appropriate links with participating Member States, relevant EU Council bodies, EU Commission and other stakeholders relevant to Positioning, Navigation & Timing activities.

The Project Officer Space may be required to support activities in other areas related to the space domain.

Duties may evolve according to the development of the EDA’s structure and activities, and the decisions of EDA management.

CONDITIONS FOR SECONDMENT

In accordance with the Rules applicable to national experts and military staff on secondment to the European Defence Agency (Council Decision (EU) 2016/1352), Seconded National Experts are seconded to the Agency while remaining in the service of their national employer and continue being paid their national salary by that employer.

Therefore, to be considered in the selection process, candidates for SNE posts must be sponsored by their national authorities. Confirmation is required in the form of a letter of sponsorship addressed to the Agency as far as possible by the closing date for the receipt of applications and in any case before a decision is taken by EDA on the candidate to be selected for a secondment.

The Rules are available on the EDA website http://www.eda.europa.eu - vacancies.

To qualify for secondment to the Agency, experts shall:

• have worked for their employer on a permanent or contract basis for at least 12 months before their secondment;
• remain in the service of their employer throughout the period of secondment and continue to be paid by that employer;
• have at least three years'