EAC and Astronaut Communication Officer

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Closing Date: 19 May :59 CET/CEST

Directorate: Human and Robotic Exploration

This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes (D/HRE) is a programme directorate within the ESA matrix structure. Through a partnership between humans and robots, D/HRE is dedicated to exploring destinations in space where humans are already living and working —– or will live and work in the future —– for the purpose of scientific research, economic development, international cooperation and public inspiration.

Reporting to the Human Exploration Group Leader and in coordination with HRE Communication Programme Officer, you will be responsible for the communication and public relations of the ESA astronauts, the European Astronaut Centre and the LUNA analog facility.

Your main responsibility will be to develop and execute communication activities involving ESA astronauts and the experts interacting with them. As such, you will implement strategic communication activities and organise campaigns relating to the European Astronaut Centre, space missions of European astronauts, and campaigns implemented in the LUNA analog facility. You will be responsible for defining, executing, monitoring and improving all communication activities of the European Astronaut Centre and the LUNA analog facility, including space missions of ESA astronauts. In fulfilling these tasks, you will be supported by a small team of communication experts.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• establishing and implementing, in accordance with the strategic goals of HRE, the Annual Communication Plan for the European Astronaut Centre and the LUNA analog facility, and specific communication plans for ESA astronaut missions;
• keeping up to date a publishing agenda and events calendar reflecting the communication interests of ESA and the Directorate for Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes;
• managing the online presence of the European Astronaut Centre and coordinating the publications relating to the LUNA analog facility;
• conceptualising and developing, in coordination with the relevant production team, content for social media to ensure the visibility of the European astronauts, the European Astronaut Centre and the LUNA analog facility;
• ensuring steadfast review and approval of content relating to the European Astronaut Centre, space missions of European astronauts or the LUNA analog facility;
• in coordination with the Member States Outreach Office and the Corporate Media Relations Officer, supporting the implementation of interviews with astronauts and related spokespersons;
• supporting the implementation of news conferences, exhibition participation and public relations events by working in close cooperation with the members of the Corporate and Institutional Communication Office;
• providing the content necessary for the production of brochures, leaflets, posters, factsheets and media kits;
• ensuring a bottom-up information flow regarding content relevant for communications in the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes;
• monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the implemented communication activities in close cooperation with the Member States Outreach Office and the Corporate Media Relations Officer and taking continuous action to improve delivery as required.

State-of-the-art knowledge in your area of responsibility at the required level

Excellent skills in editing and writing in English

Understanding of Member States’ and relevant stakeholders’ communication networks

Communication strategy and planning, campaign management

Knowledge and experience in communications in an international environment

Understanding of all media platforms

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

A master’s degree in a relevant domain, together with four years of relevant professional experience, is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• Significant experience in communication in an international environment.
• Knowledge of space science, space technology, space transportation and space engineering and operations, and proven experience in communication strategy and planning and campaign management, delivering across all channels.
• Knowledge of resource management, as well as web development, usability and analytics, is an advantage.
• Proficiency in French and/or German will be considered 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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

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.

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.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one 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.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the 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.