Junior Professional in Strategic Coordination, Digital Transformation and Governance

ESA’s Junior Professional Programme is a four‑year assignment for recent masters graduates (up to 3 years post‑graduate experience ). During this period you will work and learn on the job, gaining mobility and developmental opportunities that position you for a successful ESA career. At the end of the programme, contingent on performance, an indefinite contract may be offered, beginning at the end of the four years.

Recruitment will take place at the A1 grade on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale. Subjects to performance, at the end of the fourth year you may be upgraded to A2 if an indefinite contract is offered.

Location

ESA Headquarters, Paris, France – or another site as required. Developmental assignments may involve temporary relocation to another ESA establishment or other location.

Description

As a Junior Professional in Strategic Coordination, Digital Transformation and Governance, you will be a member of the Cabinet of the ESA Director General. The Cabinet drives, guides and organises decision‑making at ESA; it advises the Director General, provides strategic coordination across the Agency, manages relations with Member States and ensures the preparation and conduct of the ESA Council and its subordinate bodies. The Cabinet also shapes ESA’s institutional positioning, manages high‑level communication, oversees protocol and events, and supports continuous organisational improvement.

Duties

In an evolving geopolitical and institutional context, ESA requires strengthened capabilities in strategic positioning, digital transformation, governance processes and institutional relations.

The Junior Professional role is a competence‑building position to support these priorities and develop future expertise for ESA in core institutional domains.

As a Junior Professional, you will contribute to four strategic workstreams with clear competence‑development objectives:

• Strategic positioning and institutional content management – defining and structuring the Cabinet’s role, services and value proposition within ESA and towards external stakeholders.
• Managing and developing Cabinet‑owned communication channels (intranet and internet); developing structured approaches to targeted content creation for various stakeholder groups, such as Member States, internal services and external partners.
• Building competence in strategic content development, editorial planning and content management tools.

Competence Development Focus – Strategic Communication and Digital Content

• AI‑based tools and process optimisation – identifying, developing and deploying AI‑supported tools to support Cabinet and ESA processes.
• Process standardisation and optimisation across coordination workflows.
• Integration of AI tools into day‑to‑day working methods and decision‑support processes.

Competence Development Focus – Council and Governance Coordination

• Support the organisation, preparation and follow‑up of the ESA Council and subordinate bodies, including inter‑ministerial meetings.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of governance processes and practices.
• Assist with coordination with Member State delegations and internal stakeholders.

Competence Development Focus – Protocol and High‑Level Event Management

• Support the handling of protocol activities and VIP visits, including launch events.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of high‑level events, ensuring alignment with institutional standards.
• Assist with stakeholder coordination among internal and external actors.

Development Programme

In addition to your daily work, you will take part in an extensive learning and development programme. You will learn on the job and benefit from tailored development opportunities, including participation in technical and key skills training courses.

There is a mobility component that may involve an internal rotation to another ESA team, an external secondment outside ESA, or a combination of both. Internal rotations aim to boost your professional experience and knowledge of the European Space Agency; external secondments aim to enhance your experience in the broader European space sector.

Structured Competence Development Pathways

• Exposure to strategic coordination at Director General level.
• Hands‑on experience in AI‑driven process modernisation.
• Direct involvement in Council governance and Member State interactions.
• Practical experience in protocol and high‑level event management.

Potential Rotations or Secondments May Include

• External relations/communication functions.
• Member State delegations or EU‑related bodies.
• Digital transformation or process innovation teams.

Technical Competencies

• Strategic and institutional acumen.
• Policy analysis and political awareness.
• Stakeholder engagement and influence.
• Programmatic and content literacy.
• Operational, digital and delivery excellence.

Behavioural Competencies

• Result orientation.
• Operational efficiency.
• Fostering cooperation.
• Relationship management.
• Continuous improvement.
• Forward thinking.

Education and Professional Experience

A master’s degree in political science or international relations, with a focus on European politics, is required, together with up to three years of professional experience after graduation.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to analyse policy discourse, interpret political language, map Member State positions and sensitivities, and detect shifts in strategic narratives.
• Awareness of institutional stakeholders and negotiation dynamics, with the capacity to support alignment and sustained political support through targeted communication.
• Ability to understand ESA programmes and technical content, translate complex space initiatives into clear messages, and develop structured, audience‑oriented content using digital tools.
• Competence in process analysis and optimisation, familiarity with AI/digital innovation, and the ability to support projects and events involving multiple stakeholders.

Additional Key Requirements

• Initial professional experience in an international or institutional environment, with the ability to operate effectively in a complex institutional environment.
• Strong interest in European and international governance and public sector processes.
• Demonstrated ability to work in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

ESA is an equal‑opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. If you would like to discuss accommodation for a disability, please contact

Important Information and Disclaimer

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Successful candidates will also be subject to basic screening conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with ESA’s security procedures.

Nationality and Languages

Applications are considered only from nationals of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia. The working languages of the Agency are English and French; a good knowledge of one of these is required, and knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.