Head of Service for Technology Support and Telecommunications Contracts

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

As the Head of Service for Technology Support and Telecommunications Contracts, you will report to the Head of the Commercialisation and Technology Contracts Division in the Contracts Department, Directorate of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness at the European Space Agency. You will manage a consistent number of contracts officers – both staff and contractors – and administrative support personnel, dealing with technology and telecommunications contracts while innovating procurement processes with a view to meeting the demands of a changing space business environment. You will manage the procurements of the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality and part of the procurements of the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications.
Your Service will be part of the dynamic Commercialisation and Technology Contracts Division. This is a new Division that covers both standard ESA R&D activities and innovative commercialisation strategies, composed of one additional service and one commercialisation unit.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

preparing and implementing procurements through invitations to tender, requests for quotation and calls for proposals and either placing the resulting contracts directly or supervising the tenders implemented by contracts officers in the Service;
contributing to decision-making processes in close collaboration with higher management for all matters of procurement or contractual relevance;
contributing to the consolidation, monitoring and discussion of procurement plans, procurement and contract proposals for the procurement activities of the relevant initiating services;
ensuring that the work performed within the supervised contracts service is fully compliant with the applicable legal framework, such as the ESA Procurement Regulations and the ESA Security Regulations, as relevant, including rigorous filing in preparation of ESA audits;
providing support to the Head of Division for any procurement-related issues with respect to programmes managed by the initiating services;
providing support to departmental working groups in the context of the ESA procurement reforms and the ESA Transformation;
participating in the monitoring of contract execution with respect to all administrative, contractual, legal and industrial problems arising from the procurements concerned.

You will manage a team of (assistant) contracts officers and administrative support staff, ensuring that balanced support is provided to the various technical officers while aiming to comply with and improve the implementation deadlines. Your team will place a large variety of contract types, from R&D to public private partnerships.

As Head of Service, and in addition to a number of activities as contracts officer, your managerial duties will include:

taking responsibility for driving performance and team results, aiming to improve efficiency and time to contract while ensuring compliance with the applicable regulations;
providing direction, including planning and a balanced distribution of team members’ activities;
reviewing individual performance against set objectives through the annual performance assessment exercise and by providing timely, regular constructive feedback;
creating a motivating work environment by promoting effective teamwork and fostering cooperation both within the Service, the Division and the Department;
developing and motivating team members with respect to their ongoing professional aspirations by providing advice, encouraging learning and delegating responsibilities;
cooperating with your peer Heads of Service in the Division/Department, sharing knowledge and striving to bring innovation to procurement processes and develop forward-looking procurement strategies;
ensuring a balanced distribution of work within the Service and the wellbeing of the personnel reporting to you.

Technical competencies

Extensive experience in procurement processes and contract management, preferably within the space sector or related high-technology sectors

Knowledge of ESA’s legal environment, procurement regulations, processes and policies

A good understanding of European space policy and ESA programmes

Analytical and reporting skills

Organisational skills

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master’s degree in law, economics is required for this post.

Additional requirements

The ability to draft a range of contractual and legal documents;
Strong negotiation and diplomatic skills;
Strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
The ability to understand and engage with technical issues, for example of a legal or contractual nature, as well as management matters;
The ability to use computer tools to automate processes;
Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
The ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer-focused.

Experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities 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, 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.