External Relations Officer (2 Posts)

External Relations Officer in the External Relations Department, reporting to the Head of the External Relations Department in the Directorate of Strategy, Legal and External Matters. The External Relations Department shapes and delivers ESA’s international engagement strategy with non-Member States, their institutions, and international organisations. It develops and coordinates cooperation frameworks, supports high-level exchanges and representation –including through ESA offices in Washington and Tokyo – and provides strategic, political and diplomatic advice on international relations to senior management. By monitoring geopolitical developments, preparing key engagements and ensuring alignment with Agency priorities, the Department plays a central role in advancing ESA’s international partnerships and positioning the Agency as a trusted and influential global partner. Duties Your tasks and responsibilities will include: Developing and managing relations with non-Member States and international organisations, including the continuous monitoring of their space-related policies, programmes and activities. Representing the Agency externally in interactions with non-Member States, international organisations and other international stakeholders. Maintaining and expanding institutional networks with government administrations, space agencies and partner organisations, ensuring effective information exchange and cooperation. Identifying and promoting opportunities for cooperation with international partners, proposing priority themes and ensuring coordination across the Agency. Planning and coordinating engagements, including meetings, conferences and official visits involving international partners. Contributing to international negotiations, in close coordination with the Agency’s legal services and the relevant programme directorates. Providing timely insight on international and geopolitical developments by collecting, assessing and synthesising relevant information, and ensuring its effective dissemination within the Agency. Supporting policy formulation by translating international developments into actionable recommendations, including through engagement with Member States’ foreign services where appropriate. Preparing high-level briefings and documentation, including contributions to the ESA Council, the International Relations Committee and other Agency bodies. Technical competencies Proven ability to establish, develop and manage high-level contacts in international and institutional environments Experience in managing international networks and interfacing effectively with various types of stakeholders Demonstrated ambassadorship and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and foster collaboration across diverse institutional and cultural contexts Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex situations and understand their broader context Capacity to translate geopolitical, policy and institutional developments into clear, actionable recommendations to provide direction and support decision-making processes Strong planning, organisational and coordination skills, including the ability to manage priorities and complex workflows Proven ability to work effectively in multicultural, cross-functional environments and to collaborate across organisational boundaries Behavioural competencies Result Orientation Operational Efficiency Fostering Cooperation Relationship Management Continuous Improvement Forward Thinking Education and professional experience A master’s degree in international relations, political science, economics, law or another relevant field is required for this post, together with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in international relations, diplomacy, external stakeholder engagement, project/programme management or similar functions in a governmental, international, institutional or policy-oriented environment. Additional requirements Specialised experience in one or more substantive areas of international relations would be considered an asset, particularly in fields such as multilateral cooperation and governance, foreign and security policy, economic diplomacy, geopolitical analysis, or related areas. International exposure, including experience of living and working abroad, ideally outside ESA Member States, would be considered an asset. Good knowledge of the international space sector and of the Agency’s activities and functioning would also be considered an asset.