Senior Programme Advisor (2 posts)
European Space Agency
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Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Description
Senior Programme Advisor in the Chief Agency Programme Advisor’s Office, Inspector General’s Office, Director General’s Services.
The mandate and responsibilities of the Independent Project Management Authority (IPMA) are outlined in the DG’s memo (DG/453). The IPMA is expected to address project management challenges by institutionalising project management and control process ownership, alongside initiatives in digitalisation, training and certification, compliance monitoring, and the establishment of a veto power/escalation process.
Duties
The purpose of this strategic role is to overhaul and enhance project execution practices across the Agency, ensuring projects are completed in accordance with quality targets, on time and within budget. Your main objectives to be accomplished are as follows:
- Addressing the “conspiracy of optimism” by advocating for the application of strong project management knowledge from project inception, favouring the definition of a realistic project baseline and ensuring its implementation in accordance with quality requirements, on time and at cost;
- Supporting and empowering projects in effectively monitoring and controlling the project baseline with the support of lean and efficient compliance and performance monitoring processes;
- Supporting the implementation of harmonised digital tools and data to enable early detection of deviations and changes in risk exposure while facilitating informed and timely decisions;
- Contributing to fostering an agile and efficient project workforce capable of adapting to new and rapidly changing boundary conditions faced by the Agency;
- Participating in the definition of project management training, maturation and certification;
- Contributing to and maintaining the Inspector General’s Office handbook and PM regulation (process and golden rules);
- Leading and contributing to corporate/fast-track reviews, investigation and enquiry boards, assessments and peer reviews at both directorate and project levels;
- Guiding and contributing to IPRev/gate reviews in positions such as chair, system, and expert;
- Steering ad-hoc appraisal activities in positions such as chair, system, and expert;
- Overseeing preparation activities for Council meeting at ministerial level reviews;
- Critically reviewing KPIs and metrics relating to the ESA programme and project portfolio, including risks, cost and schedule, with the aim of detecting early signs of deviations and monitoring the overall health of the ESA programmatic activities.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
A master's degree in engineering and/or management is required for this post.
Additional requirements
The ultimate objective of this position is to significantly improve project delivery outcomes, contributing to the Agency’s broader objectives of advancing space exploration and utilisation, notably by mitigating recurring and escalating schedule delays, which invariably lead to widening disparities between anticipated and actual progress, through the formulation of streamlined processes, tools and governance mechanisms that can actively curb the delays and accompanying cost overruns.
In this context, the input of senior people with proven competences in the project management, system and payload domains is crucial. You will ideally have the following skills and experience:
- A proven track record of managing complex projects, with the ability to navigate and rectify optimistic biases in project planning;
- Strong leadership capabilities to drive a culture of accountability, efficiency and continuous improvement within project teams;
- Expertise in leveraging digital solutions for project management, including proficiency with contemporary project management software and data analytics tools;
- Experience in developing and delivering project management training and certification, coupled with a commitment to professional development and knowledge-sharing;
- Effective communication and facilitation skills to lead diverse review boards and committees, fostering collaboration and consensus among stakeholders;
- The flexibility to engage with ad-hoc reviews, providing authoritative input to address unique project challenges;
- Broad knowledge of ESA and its diverse businesses, with proven acumen in interpreting business trends and strategic thinking.
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, 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.
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.
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 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.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
This job is no longer accepting applications
See open jobs at European Space Agency.See open jobs similar to "Senior Programme Advisor (2 posts)" Greater Rotterdam – The Hague area.