Listed on Orbital Diplomat 27 Jul 2026
ESA's External Relations Department, housed within the Directorate of Strategy, Legal and External Matters, shapes and delivers the Agency's international engagement strategy with non-Member States, their institutions, and international organisations. Operating from ESA Headquarters in Paris and coordinating with ESA offices in Washington and Tokyo, the Department develops cooperation frameworks, supports high-level exchanges, monitors geopolitical developments, and provides strategic, political, and diplomatic advice to ESA senior management. This External Relations Officer position sits at the heart of ESA's international diplomacy function. The postholder will develop and manage relations with non-Member States and international organisations; monitor space-related policies, programmes, and activities globally; represent ESA externally with government administrations, space agencies, and partner organisations; identify and promote cooperation opportunities; contribute to international negotiations in coordination with ESA's legal services; and prepare high-level briefings and documentation for the ESA Council, the International Relations Committee, and other Agency governing bodies. For space diplomacy professionals, this is one of the most substantive and visible external relations roles currently available in the European institutional space sector. The postholder will translate geopolitical and policy developments into actionable recommendations for ESA leadership — operating at the intersection of international relations, space governance, and multilateral cooperation. The post is 4 years, extendable to indefinite. ESA member state nationality is required.
Master's degree in international relations, political science, economics, law, or another relevant field Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in international relations, diplomacy, external stakeholder engagement, project or programme management, or similar functions in a governmental, international, institutional, or policy-oriented environment Proven ability to establish and manage high-level contacts in international and institutional environments Strong analytical skills with capacity to translate geopolitical and policy developments into clear, actionable recommendations Excellent planning, organisational, and coordination skills Good knowledge of English or French (ESA working languages); additional Member State language an asset Nationality of an ESA Member State or cooperating state required Desirable: specialised experience in multilateral cooperation and governance, foreign and security policy, economic diplomacy, or geopolitical analysis Desirable: international exposure including experience living and working outside ESA Member States Desirable: knowledge of the international space sector and ESA's activities https://jobs.esa.int/job/Paris-External-Relations-Officer/1419166133/