Cassini Space Entrepreneurship Officer

ABOUT US

The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) provides safe and secure European satellite navigation services, advances the commercialization of Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), and Copernicus data and services, engages in secure SATCOM (GOVSATCOM & IRIS2), and operates the Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) Front Desk. Through these projects, EUSPA enhances European autonomy in space technologies, fosters innovation and creativity, supports European transport net and agriculture, all while contributing to the economic growth and health of the European Union.

In this context, main responsibilities of the Market Downstream and Innovation Department are related to the development of the market and uptake of EU space technologies. The primary objective is to foster the entrepreneurship and start-ups, and to support the creation of innovative applications and user technology.

Cassini is the European Commission's initiative to support entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs in the space industry, including New Space, during 2021-2027. The initiative is open to all areas of the EU Space Programme, and covers both upstream (i.e. nanosats, launchers, etc.) and downstream (i.e. products/services enabled by space data, etc.). Cassini includes a €1 billion EU seeds and growth fund, hackathons and mentoring, prizes, a business accelerator, partnering and matchmaking. You can read more about Cassini here.

EUSPA offers a diverse multicultural workplace that welcomes all applicants without distinction on any grounds of gender, race, ethnic or social origin, nationality, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, birth, gender identity, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status or other family situation. EUSPA wishes to employ competent talents and be representative of the diversity of the EU citizens we serve and is committed to provide the best working conditions and benefits to its staff. For more information on the EUSPA and the EU Space Programme, click here.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO DO

We are looking for a dynamic proactive Cassini Space Entrepreneurship Officer who will be responsible for managing several aspects of the Cassini initiative, contributing to the overall objectives of increasing EU industry competitiveness and growing opportunities for new space start-ups.

The job holder will be part of transversal agile teams in the department, such as the ones dedicated to the conceptualisation of new services or to the coordination of downstream research and innovation.

The Cassini Space Entrepreneurship Officer will have the following main tasks and responsibilities:

• Support the Market Downstream and Innovation department in the management of its network of start-ups and SMEs;

• Implement assigned activities under Cassini space entrepreneurship, among hackathons, prize competitions, and acceleration programs;

• Implement contracts and grants, including evaluations, financial and legal tasks in coordination with the related departments;

• Manage relationships with relevant stakeholders in the Cassini entrepreneurship ecosystem, including investors, accelerators, institutions, research centres and other supporting organisations;

• Create partnerships with larger companies that could be interested in testing solutions with start-ups or procure products or value-added services from start-ups;

• Implement capacity building and educational activities targeting start-ups and SMEs as well as other stakeholders in the Cassini ecosystem;

• Create synergies with other tasks of the Market and Downstream Innovation department, in particular connecting the Cassini actions with adoption roadmaps designed per market segment;

• Ensure technical understanding of how the EU space data and services can be used in various application areas, be the advisor for start-ups and SMEs on how to leverage space data in their solutions;

• Support Venture Capital partners in their due diligence processes, offering referred dealflow and downstream EU space advisory;

• Manage research and innovation actions, as well as pilot projects with the ultimate aim to stimulate innovation and uptake of the services provided by the EU Space Programme via its components;

• Support the administration aspects of the department, including definition and implementation of new processes and improvement of existing ones, reporting to the European Commission and to the Administrative Board, etc.;

• Contribute to other tasks of the Department as deemed necessary;

• Liaise with other departments, notably in the area of Administration and Operations, to ensure the execution of related corporate tasks, such as planning, reporting, administration, financial & budget management, risk management.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Professional experience and expertise

1. Experience in working with innovation projects and procurements or in business development of products/solutions in high tech/deep tech;

2. Experience in venture investments or in high tech/deep tech start-up;

3. Experience in full project management cycle, including procurement, budget and contract management;

4. Excellent command of both written and spoken English;

Required competencies

5. Motivation for the post;

6. Effective communication;

7. Creativity, adaptability and proactive attitude;

8. Transversal collaboration and working in teams;

9. Ability to deliver accurate work under pressure and  tight deadlines, organise workload and prioritise tasks.

WHAT WE OFFER
We are committed to supporting your onboarding and continuous development and providing benefits that matter to you.

We offer a generous overall remuneration package that comprises of competitive salary, family allowances and tuition fees for nurseries and educational facilities for your children, 24/7 worldwide health and dental insurance, minimum of 24 days annual leave (with additional days depending on grade and age) plus 16 days public holidays, and a very competitive pension entitlement after 10 years of service with EU.

At EUSPA, we offer wide range of training courses aimed at developing your skills and keeping them abreast with the latest developments in the field. Additionally, we provide training in transversal skills such as leadership and strategic management, diversity and inclusion, ethics, resilience, languages and many more.

We realise the importance of work/life balance and maintaining balance between the advantages of working from home and the need for regular face-to-face contact in the office to build both working and social relationships. Therefore, following relocation, we offer flexible working time and telework options under certain conditions. On top of regular leave days we offer special leave for those exceptional events (such as maternity/paternity leave, adoption or birth, parental or family leave, as well as moving home, elections etc.)

Important information to candidates considering to apply:

• Deadline for applications is 10 December 2024 at 11:59 AM (CET)

• Place of employment: Prague (Czech Republic).

• This vacancy is only open to nationals of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland or Norway

For more information about the eligibility/selection criteria and how to apply - please visit our career opportunities page: https://www.euspa.europa.eu/about/careers-euspa