Our team and mission

This position is based at the ESA Centre for Earth Observation (ESRIN) - Frascati, Italy 

The Copernicus Space Office is responsible for programmatic activities, which are relevant to the Copernicus  Space Component. The tasks of the Office include, in particular: monitoring ESA's Copernicus Space Component activities and ensuring their coordination; ensuring coordination with the ESA-EU matters Committee and with COM in the implementation of the Copernicus  Space Component by interfacing with COM Copernicus related Units services; coordinating the implementation of the EU-ESA Agreement on Copernicus and supporting negotiations for any amendments; preparing and planning programmatic aspects of the Copernicus Space Component evolution; preparing Copernicus Space Component programmatic documents and supporting Copernicus related negotiations with COM and other parties.
 

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You can choose between the following topics:

Topic 1
Article 30 of the Financial Framework Partnership Agreement between the European Commission and the European Space Agency on the implementation of the European Union Space Programme foresees that the parties collaborate to jointly define modalities to reach the European climate neutrality goal by 2050 by cooperating on activities contributing to this target such as assessing the footprint of the activities implemented under the FFPA. You will identify and propose the possible next steps needed for the Copernicus Space Component to achieve climate neutrality including short, medium and long term milestones such as: introduction of sustainability requirements for all CSC related activities, optimisation of related organisational schemes, etc.

Topic 2
Security aspect are of growing concern across Europe. As an EU led programme, Copernicus is called to address these concerns. In order to properly assess the possible implications of these concerns, you will update the latest survey of security related requirements and related EU communications and legislation and explore the potential implications on the Copernicus Space Component proposing possible solutions to best respond to these growing needs.

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a university course at Master’s level and you need to remain enrolled at your University for the entire duration of the internship.

Additional requirements

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

Knowledge and background in EU policies, familiarity with the aerospace sector and engineering would be considered an advantage.