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Join the European Space Agency as an Ombuds and play a pivotal role in ensuring fairness and transparency in space industry procurements
Overview
Salary No salary declared 😔
Location Paris, France
Expires Expires at anytime
Organisation summary: The European Space Agency (ESA) is at the forefront of global space exploration and technology. As a leader in space operations, scientific research, and satellite applications, ESA offers an unparalleled opportunity to contribute to humanity's understanding and use of space. Taking on a role with ESA means joining an organization committed to innovation, collaboration, and excellence in the space sector.
- Independent interface between ESA, the industry, and industrial partners.
- Ensure fair and equitable procurement activities and subcontract management by prime contractors.
- Facilitate communication and conflict resolution within the tender process and industrial partnerships.
- Extensive experience in international procurements and multinational project management in aerospace/defence.
- Proven expertise in managing complex space technology projects with diverse industrial teams.
- Strong leadership, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
- Excellent communication abilities and authoritative presence in the industry.
- Fluency in English or French, with working knowledge of the other, and additional ESA member state language proficiency is advantageous.
The role is for an initial three-year term with a possible extension, starting on December 1, 2024. A transitional period with the current Ombuds is included to ensure a smooth handover.
The European Space Agency is seeking two persons to perform the function of ESA Ombuds. The institution of the Ombud is essential for ensuring fairness, transparency and accountability of the European Space Agency towards and between economic operators in the context of ESA Programmes.
The role entails being an independent interface between ESA and the industry and between industrial partners, prime and sub-contractors. The ESA Industrial Ombuds will be at the disposal of economic operators to ensure that prime contractors conduct their procurement activities and subcontract management on a fair and equitable basis. They will also facilitate communications between tenderers, potential bidders and between contractors and tenderers in the resolution of matters arising out of a tender action.
Job requirements include extensive experience of international procurements and management of multinational projects within the field of aerospace and/or defence. Candidates must have managed complex space technology projects involving teams composed of numerous industrial partners, as project manager and/or as procurement officer. They should also display demonstrable authority in these matters, excellent communications skills, natural leadership and a special ability to negotiate, reach deals, and resolve conflicts between industrial partners.
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these two languages is required together with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of another member state language is an asset.
The duration of this appointment is for an initial period of three years and a transitional period of one month with the current Ombuds with the possibility of renewal for a further three-years period. Duty will start on 01 December 2024.
