Listed on Orbital Diplomat 29 Jul 2026
ESA's Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity (RNC) manages one of the Agency's most strategically significant and fast-growing portfolios — encompassing the Galileo navigation system, EGNOS, IRIS² (the EU's sovereign satellite connectivity programme), GOVSATCOM, and the Agency's broader resilience and defence-related programmes. As the intersection of space and European security policy becomes increasingly consequential, the RNC Directorate has assumed a central role in shaping how Europe projects strategic autonomy through its space infrastructure. This Programme and Strategy Coordinator sits within the RNC Strategy and Coordination Office and provides expert support to the Director and all RNC departments on strategy, policy, and coordination — with particular emphasis on resilience and defence matters. The postholder will draft comprehensive programme documents and presentations for internal and external stakeholders; prepare analytical assessments on geopolitical and industrial developments; support stakeholder management with resilience and defence entities; contribute to the formulation and coordination of RNC strategy; support the preparation of ESA Council meetings at ministerial level; and facilitate process improvements and AI-enabled digitalisation within the team. For space policy professionals with backgrounds in European defence, security, and resilience frameworks, this is one of the most substantive strategy roles currently open at ESA — directly embedded in the governance architecture of Europe's growing sovereign space security and connectivity infrastructure. Export control and security clearance eligibility is required. The post is 4 years, extendable to indefinite.
Master's degree in engineering, space policy, law, economics, or another relevant subject plus 4 years of relevant professional experience; or bachelor's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience Thorough understanding of the European and international defence, security, and resilience landscape including key institutional, governmental, and industrial stakeholders Thorough understanding of the functioning of the EU and its institutions Knowledge of and preferably experience in strategy development, formulation, and implementation Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English and/or French Strong awareness of market, industry, and technology trends including disruptive technologies Eligibility to access export-controlled technology subject to European or US export control regulations Eligibility to acquire security clearance from a national security administration Nationality of an ESA Member State or cooperating state required Desirable: international experience; knowledge of ESA Resilience, Connectivity, and Navigation programmes https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Programme-and-Strategy-Coordinator/1419777933/