Policy Officer PNT (Positioning, Navigation and Timing) Space Threat Response Duty Officer

A European institution carries out the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) to promote peace, prosperity, security, and the interests of the EU across the globe. It brings together European civil servants, diplomats from EU Member States, national experts and local staff worldwide.

The institution supports the High Representative in the exercise of her mandate to steer the Union’s CFSP, including the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), to represent the EU on issues relating to the CFSP and to chair the Foreign Affairs Council. It also supports her as Vice-President of the Commission with regard to her responsibilities within the Commission, including the coordination of other aspects of the EU’s external action.

The institution works in close cooperation with the EU Member States, the General Secretariat of the Council, the services of the Commission and the Secretariat General of the European Parliament.

The "Space” Division of the institution assists the Special Envoy for Space (SES) to support the space activities of the institution in their operational, diplomatic and policy dimensions. The SES and the Division assist the HR and the Secretary General of the institution in their operational tasks:

• Firstly, in protecting the security and essential interests of the Union and its Member States by averting threats to security or mitigating serious harm to the essential interests of the Union or Member States related to the components of the Union Space Programme.
• Secondly, in ensuring the operational direction of a European Satellite Centre on behalf of the HR, and acting as Tasking Authority.
• Furthermore, the SES and the Division contribute to the development and implementation of the Strategic Compass through the development of the Space Strategy for Security and Defence and expert advice on security aspects of the EU space components of the EU space programme.
• They also develop and coordinate EU positions regarding space safety, security and sustainability in multilateral fora (mainly the UN) as well as contribute to international dialogues, along with the Commission, on aspects related to security in and from space.

What you will do. The Policy Officer contributes to the development and implementation of EU policies related to secure positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services, including Galileo and the Public Regulated Service (PRS) in the framework of the EU Space Programme and the EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence.

The postholder monitors political, security and technological developments affecting space-based PNT capabilities and supports coordination with EU institutions, Member States, agencies and international partners.

In addition to policy responsibilities, the postholder will serve as a Space Threat Response Duty Officer within the framework of the EU Space Threat Response Architecture. The Duty Officer will participate in a 24/7 on-call duty system and act as the first point of contact for the notification, monitoring and initial assessment of space-related threats, incidents and crises affecting the European Union, its Member States or EU space assets and services.

What they ask We look for an enthusiastic colleague with sound expertise in both PNT and in security and defence. He/she will formulate the institution's input on the use of these services for security and defence in the EU and, to that end, will work constructively with Member States and the relevant EU entities. The successful candidate should demonstrate a strong interest in EU space policy and in the security and defence dimensions of the EU Space Programme.

He/she will contribute to defining and monitoring policies in the area of space and security/defence as well as space and international relations.

As Policy Officer, the successful candidate will monitor political, security and technological developments affecting space-based PNT capabilities and support coordination with EU institutions, Member States, agencies and international partners.

As Space Threat Response Duty Officer, the colleague will need a high sense of responsibility and will need to be agile in learning to work with the relevant secure systems. He/she will need a good political sense in order to determine how to handle specific incidents and will need to work seamlessly in a team.

As Duty Officer, the successful candidate will contribute to the development and implementation of operational procedures to address threats to or through EU space services and capabilities. Strong analytical skills, sound judgement and the ability to perform effectively under pressure will be essential.

The Policy Officer will also be expected to take up other files as assigned and will therefore need to have the ability to take a broader view and to quickly find their way in new files.

What they ask

• Have passed a valid EPSO CAST in FG IV, or be registered in the EPSO Permanent CAST for FG IV.
• Have completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma.
• Have the capacity to work in the languages of the CFSP and external relations (English and French) necessary for the performance of their duties.
• Be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union and enjoy full rights as a citizen.

Preferences.

• The ability to maintain diplomatic relations and to ensure representation and communication in a complex, multicultural environment.
• The capacity to create constructive working relations with national authorities, civil society, international organisations and EU Member States.
• Strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound judgement.
• Knowledge of external relations, internal policies and functioning of the Union.
• The ability to communicate clearly on complex issues and the capacity to execute with accuracy and in a flexible manner a diversity of tasks in a complex institutional environment.
• Strong service attitude.
• Be a flexible team player.
• Demonstrated experience in EU space policy, space security or related security and defence matters.
• Sound knowledge of the EU Space Programme, especially Galileo/PRS.
• Proven ability to provide strategic analysis and policy advice on security, defence and geopolitical aspects of space.
• Experience in coordination and stakeholder engagement within the EU institutional framework and with Member States.
• Experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
• Experience in working with or within other EU institutions.