Space for Early Warnings in Africa Project Manager

(Fixed Term Contract)

EUMETSAT - European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites

Darmstadt, Germany

EUMETSAT is Europe’s meteorological satellite agency - monitoring the weather and climate from space - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Working for EUMETSAT, you can make a world of difference and be a part of something that makes a positive impact on society. You will be at the cutting edge of satellite technology, with a meaningful role in an organisation focused on space-based observations of the Earth’s weather and climate.

The European Commission’s Directorate-General International Partnerships (DG INTPA) is funding a project to “Enhance the capacity to produce and deliver space-based services and applications, data and information, for early warning systems related to hazardous weather or climate events” (Space for Early Warning in Africa) EUMETSAT is one anticipated implementing partners. The EUMETSAT activities under this project will contribute to ease access to and visualisation of satellite meteorological data by African users involved in providing Early Warning information. They will also support establishment of regional capacities to generate satellite-based products for immediate forecasting (nowcasting) and further applications. There will be also a significant training element to this project. The EUMETSAT activities will be implemented in close cooperation with other key partners, notably the African Union Commission and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).

This post is in the User Support and Climate Division of EUMETSAT and will work in close collaboration with colleagues in the Strategy, Communication and International Relations Division, as well as several divisions of the Technical and Scientific Support and Administration Departments.

What you’ll be doing

Manage the EUMETSAT activities in accordance with the Agreement signed between EUMETSAT and DG INTPA. Ensure that project activities are implemented timely and in accordance with the allocated resources, and that contracts are properly placed and monitored. Act as the main interface with the European Commission project officer and ensure that financial and progress reports are properly and timely completed. Coordinate activities across EUMETSAT. Prepare reports for EUMETSAT Delegate bodies about the project achievements, as well as to the Project Steering Committee as needed. Maintain relationships with the African Union Commission and ensure proper involvement of African experts in the EUMETSAT activities to ensure ownership of the project outcomes by African entities.

As the Project Manager you will:

Manage the EUMETSAT activities in accordance with the agreement between EUMETSAT and DG INTPA on the implementation of the Space for Early Warnings project, and with the allocated resources;
Lead the initiation and management and monitoring of the implementation contracts;
Ensure that the project implementation is compliant with the rules of EUMETSAT and the terms in the project agreement – you will draw on the support of colleagues in the project control, finance, contracts, and legal teams;
Coordinate with other EUMETSAT staff and divisions supporting the project;
Provide the planning and reporting as required by the European commission and to the Project Steering Committee put in place by DG INTPA and the African Union Commission;
Prepare annual report to the EUMETSAT Delegate bodies;
In close cooperation with SCIR, support the project storytelling and communication activities, and represent EUMETSAT in meetings or conference related to the project activities;
Work with the other implementing partners to ensure the activities are well coordinated;
Continually seek to build the team and ensure that the perspectives of the African partners are continually taken into account for the evolution of the project;
Ensure involvement of African experts as appropriate to facilitate ownership of the project outcomes by African institutions.

What we offer

A 3 year fixed term contract with possibility of extension;
Excellent salary, of up to Euro 7,500 NET (after tax) based on skills and experience;
Flexible working time including additional flexi-leave;
Full medical coverage for employee and family;
30 days of annual leave + 14.5 days public holidays.

Requirements

Qualifications:

You will have a university degree or equivalent experience and in-career training that is relevant to the tasks. This will include significant project management training, as well as development management and partnership building.

Languages:

The official languages of EUMETSAT are English and French. Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and working knowledge of French is a distinct advantage.

Skills and Experience:

Proven (more than 5 years) project management experience in a weather service and/or development assistance or similar context including contract management, financial and narrative reporting, problem solving, and team building. Experience of working on institutionally funded projects, including reporting;
Experience of working with European Commission project would be an additional asset;
Significant experience (more than 3 years) of working in international partnerships, including with African partner organisations;
Understanding of the role and function of a national weather service and the contribution of early warnings to society;
To be successful in this role you will have very strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills; excellent coordination and organisational skills. This will be underpinned by excellent partnership building, communication (including written), networking, and inter-personal skills;
The EUMETSAT core values are integrity, collaboration, empowerment, excellence and open-mindedness. These are all relevant to this project.

NOTE ON CONTRACTS CONDITION

The post is dependent on third-party financing and is strictly time bound to the project duration. The project is foreseen to start in January 2025 and run until December 2028.

The initial contract runs until December 2028, aligning with the project duration. Further renewal is depending on Third Party Funding. In case of future funding further contracts might be awarded subject to individual performance and organisation requirements.

This position is subject to final project funding approval and to EUMETSAT council approval in December 2024.

Interviews will take place in late November, and the formal offer being made to the successful candidate after that approval. We anticipate a start date early on 2028.

More about us

EUMETSAT’s role is to establish and operate meteorological satellites to monitor the weather and climate from space - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This information is supplied to the National Meteorological Services of the organisation's Member and Cooperating States in Europe, as well as other users worldwide.

EUMETSAT also operates several Copernicus missions on behalf of the European Union and provide data services to the Copernicus marine and atmospheric services and their users.

As an intergovernmental European Organisation, EUMETSAT can recruit nationals only from the 30 Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom).

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