ESA Graduate Trainee in Strategic Initiatives

ESA Graduate Trainee in Strategic Initiatives

Job Requisition ID: 20263

Date Posted: 1 February 2026

Closing Date: 28 February :59 CET/CEST

Publication: External Only

Type of Appointment: ESA Graduate Trainee

Directorate: Strategy, Legal and External Matters

Workplace:Paris, FR

Grade Band: F1 - F1

Location

ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

Our team and mission

Within the ESA Strategy Department, the Strategic Initiatives Team supports the implementation of ESA Strategy 2040 by identifying, defining and coordinating new, cross-cutting initiatives that advance ESA strategic goals and priorities.

The Team analyses strategic gaps and opportunities for the European space sector and accelerates the definition and early implementation of high-impact initiatives to address them. For this purpose, the Team works in close cooperation with ESA Directorates and strategic partners through collaborative frameworks, processes and campaigns.

In addition, the Team leads the development of new concepts, methodologies and tools for strategic innovation and organises collaborative and competitive events, such as innovation sprints, in support to strategic initiatives development. Finally, the Team supports the broader work of the Strategy Department and contributes to high-level engagements with ESA Member States, as required.

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website:

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

Within the Strategic Initiatives Team, you will contribute to:

• Conducting strategy research and gap analyses for the identification of priority areas relevant to ESA Strategy 2040;
• Defining high-potential strategic initiatives and evaluating their value, feasibility and expected impact;
• Engaging with ESA Directorates and key stakeholders (e.g. Member States, European Commission, strategic partners, user communities, industry, academia…) through collaborative frameworks and processes;
• Supporting the development and early implementation of selected strategic initiatives;
• Planning and organising events, including strategy conferences, targeted workshops, innovation sprints, etc.;
• Developing new concepts, methodologies and tools to support strategic innovation in ESA;
• Monitoring progress and preparing reports to ESA management and governing bodies;

As part of ESA Strategy Team, you will also contribute to the broader work of the Strategy Department, as required. You will also have the opportunity to participate more widely in training, development and leadership opportunities as one of the ESA Graduate Trainee based at ESA HQ in Paris.

Key learning objectives for this position include:

• Acquiring a broad knowledge of space technologies and applications as well as key trends shaping the sector.
• Gaining a good understanding of ESA's organisation, governance, and programmes;
• Strengthening capabilities in applied strategy research and analysis, in particular the definition and evaluation of actionable strategic options;
• Building a capacity to engage a wide range of experts and stakeholders and to support effective collaborative processes.
• Enhancing written, visual, and oral communication skills, with a focus on producing concise, persuasive reports and presentations.
• Developing the ability to design and deliver high-quality events, including innovative and unconventional.

Technical competencies

Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domains

Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities

General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities

Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

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 should have recently completed or be in the final year of your master's degree in a relevant technical or functional area, with a focus on strategy or innovation.

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at

Important Information and Disclaimer

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

The information published on ESA's careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will be given to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.

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.

• Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

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