Head of the Space Transportation Contracts Division

 

Location
ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

Description

Head of the Space Transportation Contracts Division, reporting directly to the Head of the ESA Contracts Department, Directorate of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness.

Composed of a dozen contract officers and administrative assistants working across three sites (HQ and Daumesnil in Paris and ESRIN in Frascati, Italy), the Division currently comprises two services, one in charge of launcher development activities, with two contracts officers for Vega in ESRIN, and the other in Paris in charge of accompanying programmes and space launcher infrastructure activities. You will be expected to propose an adaptation of the Division’s organisation to better align with the expected evolution of ESA’s space transportation programmes.   

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

 

• preparing and implementing contracting strategies in coordination with the Programme and/or the Director of Space Transportation Programmes, including the execution of related procurement actions through invitations to tender, requests for quotation and contracts within the framework of ESA space transportation programmes;
• managing procurements relating to the EU Framework Programme for Space Transportation in close coordination with the Head of the EU Contracts Division (CIC-CP);
• ensuring that all procurements and third-party agreements under the Division’s responsibility are fully aligned with the Agency’s contracting rules, methods, and procedures;
• contributing to the decision-making processes of relevant bodies, and preparing documentation on all matters of contractual significance;
• supporting the review and adaptation of procurement processes in the context of a revised or evolving role for the Agency in the exploitation phase of space transportation;
• acting as the primary point of contact for the initiating service at Head of Department or Director level on all matters falling within the remit of the Contracts Division;
• implementing the Agency’s industrial policy through procurement activities, underpinned by a strong understanding of procurement law and policy in international space programmes;
• carrying out these responsibilities in close coordination with colleagues responsible for financial matters and with the Legal Services Department.

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

Technical competencies

Knowledge and understanding of the Agency’s core businessKnowledge of organisational development and change management methodologyExperience in implementing contracts within an international organisation, industry or public administrationExperience in negotiating large contracts with various stakeholdersSolid knowledge of procurement law and policy in international space programmesAbility to coordinate teams and engage senior internal and external stakeholders

Behavioural competencies

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

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

A master’s degree in law, business and/or economics is required for this post.

Additional requirements

In addition, you should have:

 

• proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of contract officers in an international organisation, industry or public administration;
• the ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Division and to relate team objectives to the overall, evolving organisational goals and context;
• the ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
• a proven track record of representing the Agency’s interests to external interfaces;
• excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• the ability to anticipate problems, resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• the ability to make solution-oriented, pr