Programme and Strategy Coordinator

EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency is seeking a Programme and Strategy Coordinator in the RNC Strategy and Coordination Office. You will contribute to resilience, navigation and connectivity programmes by coordinating strategy development, policy analysis and stakeholder engagement.

The role emphasizes cross‑directorate collaboration and at least four years of relevant experience. You will support the preparation of high‑level meetings, drive process improvements and digital workflows, and help align

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering, space policy, law or economics or another relevant subject is required.
• Four years of relevant professional experience is required; alternatively a bachelor’s degree with four additional years of experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Drafting comprehensive documents and presentations for the preparation and implementation of the RNC programmes for internal and external stakeholders.
• Preparing analytical assessments and summarising background and contextual information from various sources.
• Supporting effective stakeholder management and developing new stakeholder relations with resilience and defence entities.
• Translating the Directorate’s strategy into implementable plans and coordinating activities.
• Preparing ESA Council meetings at ministerial level and programme agreements with stakeholders.
• Organising directorate briefings for stakeholder meetings and facilitating cross‑team collaboration.
• Supporting process improvements and digitalisation within the team, with data collection, analysis and reporting.

Skills

Strategy development

Stakeholder management

Change management

Digitalisation

Communication

Networking

Education

Master’s degree in engineering, space policy, law or economics

Job description

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Closing Date: 28 August 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Directorate: Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity

Programme and Strategy Coordinator in the RNC Strategy and Coordination Office, Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity.

The Strategy and Coordination Office is a cross-cutting office supporting the Director of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity, as well as its departments and offices. The Office’s responsibilities include strategy, stakeholder relations, communications and outreach and overall coordination of activities falling under the responsibility of the Directorate.

The Directorate’s portfolio of activities is growing, covering the ESA programmes and European Commission-delegated tasks in the domains of Navigation, Connectivity and Resilience. The Directorate contributes to the seamless management of the Agency’s resilience-, security- and defence-related programmes.

You will join a dynamic team and provide expertise in strategy, policy and coordination, in particular resilience and defence matters. You will play a critical role in the planning and coordination of the Directorate’s activities.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• drafting comprehensive documents and presentations relating to the preparation and implementation of the RNC programmes for internal and external stakeholders;
• preparing analytical assessments and summarising background and contextual information from a wide variety of sources;
• supporting effective stakeholder management and identifying and developing new stakeholder relations with relevant resilience and defence entities;
• supporting the formulation and coordination of the Directorate’s strategy and translating these into coherent and implementable plans;
• supporting the preparation of ESA Council meetings at ministerial level and programmatic agreements with other stakeholders, ensuring Directorate-wide strategic alignment;
• organising and preparing director/directorate briefings for stakeholder meetings;
• supporting process improvements and related digitalisation within the team, ensuring efficient data collection, analysis and reporting;
• preparing and improving the Directorate’s strategic management processes;
• facilitating effective communication and collaboration within the team and with partners;
• any other activities, as needed, in support of the programmes and Head of Office.

Thorough understanding of the European and international defence, security and resilience landscape, including key institutional, governmental and industrial stakeholders relevant to ESA’s mission.

Thorough understanding of the functioning of the European Union and its institutions.

Understanding of ESA Resilience, Connectivity and Navigation programmes.

Knowledge of and preferably experience in strategy development, formulation and implementation, ensuring alignment with Directorate level priorities and organisational objectives.

Exceptional verbal and written communication capabilities, enabling clear articulation of complex policy, technical and programme matters.

Strong awareness of market, industry and technology trends in applicable domains, including disruptive technologies and changes in the industrial landscape.

Proven capability in change management, with experience driving improvements in digital workflows, process optimisation and the adoption of AI enabled tools and methodologies.

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

A master’s degree in engineering, space policy, law or economics or another relevant subject is required for this post, together with four years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree and an additional four years of relevant professional experience may be considered.

Additional requirements

• Ability to serve as a reliable and recognised point of reference in a non-hierarchical relationship environment;
• Very strong team player;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and to prioritise effectively across the diverse range of tasks associated with the role, including interactions with delegations and industry;
• Ability to network in various environments, for example with ESA staff, delegations and industry;
• The ability to make solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity in close coordination with other team member.

International experience is an asset.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

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 [e-mail] .

Important Information and Disclaimer

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.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.

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.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the 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.