Location
ESEC, Redu, Belgium
ESEC Partnership and Development Officer – Security and Resilience, European Space Security and Education Centre (ESEC), Directorate of Strategy, Legal and External Matters.
This post is a key element of the strategic development of ESEC, reporting to the Head of ESEC. The role is designed to promote and structure partnerships, optimise the use of ESEC infrastructure, and enhance ESA’s institutional footprint in the fields of resilience, security and strategic communication. You will act as a catalyst for inter-institutional cooperation and as a promoter of the sovereign and effective use of ESA capabilities in these domains, in close coordination with internal ESA stakeholders, as well as national, European and international institutions.
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- providing support to the Head of ESEC, including interactions with federal, regional and local authorities;
- promoting the use of the ESA Cyber Security Operations Centre (C-SOC) and the Security Cyber Centre of Excellence (SCCOE) across ESA directorates, acting as an ambassador to directorates and departments;
- promoting ESEC’s capabilities in the areas of security, operational cyber security, secure communications, information protection and business continuity;
- identifying and developing institutional cooperation with national partners, such as the Cyber Force, NCCN, ANSSI, CCB and CISPA, European partners, for example ENISA, Europol, ECSD and DG DEFIS, and international partners, such as NATO and the UN;
- supporting ESEC’s external communication in sensitive domains, ensuring coherent representation in institutional, technical and diplomatic contexts, in close coordination with D/SLE entities;
- contributing to the definition and implementation of resilience principles and protocols, including support for audits, simulation exercises and after-action reviews;
- providing strategic foresight and analysis on evolving threat scenarios and public policies in the fields of space, cyber and institutional security in alignment with the Senior Security Coordinator within the Director General’s Services;
- acting as a trusted interface between ESA technical teams, external stakeholders and decision-makers at various institutional levels.
Cyber security of critical infrastructure
Protection of classified or sensitive information
Governance of digital and physical security
Strategic communication in high-stakes environments
In-depth knowledge of European and international regulatory frameworks
Experience in institutional and multilateral project
Familiarity with intergovernmental or diplomatic mechanisms for information security
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Education and professional experience
A master’s degree in a relevant domain is required for this post, together with two years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree, complemented by an additional four years of relevant professional experience, may be considered.
- Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to represent ESA to external stakeholders.
- Experience working under pressure and in politically sensitive environments.
- Ability to operate across technical, institutional and political levels.
- Strong credibility in networking and negotiation with high-level institutional actors.
- Eligibility for personal security clearance by a national security authority.
Certification in crisis management, institutional communication or data protection will be considered an asset.
International experience and prior engagement with EU, ESA or NATO security structures would be a strong 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. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at
[email protected].
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 acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.
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 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.
