Intern in the Strategy Department in the Directorate of Strategy, Legal and External Affairs

Our team and mission

This position is based at the ESA HQ - Paris, France

The Strategy Department contributes to the strategic thinking at programmatic level, consolidates programmatic proposals and ensures a coordinated approach at ESA. 

It is responsible for:  

• supporting on the development and planning of strategic projects for the future of the agency and space industry in Europe; 
• supporting on the development communication and awareness of the ESA Green Agenda; 
• monitoring the implementation of the Director General's strategic policies, notably ESA Agenda 2025 and Strategy 2040; 
• establishing and maintaining the ESA Long-Term Plan (LTP); 
• developing a responsible supply chain and procurement management system; 
• preparing and submitting to Council an annual report on the Agency's performance; 
• preparing the ESA Annual Report and the Director General's reports to Council; 
• overseeing the programmatic preparation of the Council meetings at ministerial level; 
• identifying space and non-space challenges which could be supported by future activities and programmes; proposing transversal initiatives addressing specifically non-space actors and the civil society at large, proposing and supporting ESA projects shared among several Directorates;

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA websites: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Space Strategy

• Support the work of the Department related to the follow-up of actions stemming from the implementation of the ESA Agenda 2025 and Strategy 2040, the preparation of reports and documents on ESA programmes and activities, and associated research;
• Support the work of the Department related to specific activities (depending on the background of the candidate) e.g. the development of partnerships with external actors, the development of relations with NGOs and the civil society, the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals with space projects, various security projects (from space and for space);
• Support the identification of space and non-space challenges which can be addressed by future programmes, help to elaborate the relevant narrative and support to the promotion of transversal initiatives at coordinated level across ESA;
• Assessment of the evolution of the European space sector in the global context, for the purpose of elaborating the next ESA Long Term Plan 2025-2034;
• Update of the Agency’s programmatic roadmaps in coordination with Programme Directorates.

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

You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a university course at Master’s level and you need to remain enrolled at your University for the entire duration of the internship.

Additional requirements

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.

The following would be an asset:

• Knowledge in strategic assessment and performance management; 
• Be capable to communicate effectively in the English and French languages (both verbally and in writing); 
• Knowledge and background in the space sector; 
• Reporting and communication skills; 
• Knowledge of MS Office tools (including ppt).