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VN 25/53 SAF Network Coordinators (3 Posts)

EUMETSAT’s Network of Satellite Application Facilities (SAF Network) delivers high‑value satellite‑derived products and services that support operational services like weather forecasting, climate monitoring and environmental decision‑making across the EUMETSAT Member States. The SAF network consists of eight specialised facilities located in the Member States, each focusing on a specific application area and run by consortia as a distributed operational system (see https://www.eumetsat.int/about-us/satellite-application-facilities-safs).

To implement the recently updated SAF Strategy and address new strategic priorities, EUMETSAT is recruiting three SAF Network Coordinators. Each post shares a core set of responsibilities while providing leadership in a dedicated focus area:

  • SAF product usage assessment and product portfolio management
  • Coordination of third-party funded SAF activities
  • Coordination of SAF Innovation Layer and Digital / Cloud transformation

Each postholder will work closely with the colleagues at the SAF entities, inside EUMETSAT and external partners.

Successful candidates hence bring a skillset in support of the common activities and a background in support of the specific focus areas. They will join a diverse, highly collaborative team reporting to the SAF Network Manager.

Duties

Common Key Duties (all posts)

  • Provide management support across the full spectrum of SAF Network activities and processes;
  • Establish and maintain effective liaison with SAF Project Managers and other internal/external stakeholders;
  • Act as coordinator for assigned SAF reviews, ensuring timely reporting of recommendations and actions;
  • Contribute to evaluations of proposals for new SAF phases;
  • Assess and report on overall SAF Network planning, progress, risks and opportunities;
  • Identify emerging user requirements and technology trends, feeding analysis into strategic planning;
  • Address SAF‑specific technological, administrative, contractual and legal aspects within EUMETSAT; and
  • Represent the SAF Network in international workshops, conferences and fora.

Focus‑Area responsibilities:

Post 1:  SAF Product Usage and SAF product portfolio management

  • Lead the definition, implementation and maintenance of the change process for the SAF product portfolio; 
  • Lead the definition, implementation and maintenance of the process for strategical realignment within a SAF phase (i.e. Mid‑Term Reviews);
  • Drive systematic assessment and inclusion of emerging user requirements and opportunities in the product portfolio; and
  • Ensure coherence of SAF processes with corporate product‑lifecycle processes.

Post 2:  Coordination of third-party funded SAF activities

  • Lead the definition, implementation and maintenance of processes for SAF activities procured under EUMETSAT commitments for third parties (e.g. for the European Commission);
  • Coordinate the planning and execution of third party funded SAF activities; and
  • Ensure compliance of third party activities with relevant rules

Post 3:  Coordination of SAF Innovation Layer and Digital / Cloud transformation

  • Lead the definition, implementation and maintenance of the SAF Innovation Layer processes (calls for innovation project proposals evaluation, monitoring, lessons‑learnt); and
  • Lead the identification and preparation for major technological transitions for data processing, cloud computing, data access and distribution and provide guidance as required by SAF.

 

 

LOCATION

Darmstadt, Germany

QUALIFICATIONS

University degree (or equivalent) in Remote Sensing, Earth / Environmental Sciences, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science or another relevant discipline.

Post‑graduate qualifications or certifications in project / programme management are an asset.

LANGUAGES

Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and have some knowledge of French.

DEADLINE

22 September 2025

Duties

Common Key Duties (all posts)

  • Provide management support across the full spectrum of SAF Network activities and processes;
  • Establish and maintain effective liaison with SAF Project Managers and other internal/external stakeholders;
  • Act as coordinator for assigned SAF reviews, ensuring timely reporting of recommendations and actions;
  • Contribute to evaluations of proposals for new SAF phases;
  • Assess and report on overall SAF Network planning, progress, risks and opportunities;
  • Identify emerging user requirements and technology trends, feeding analysis into strategic planning;
  • Address SAF‑specific technological, administrative, contractual and legal aspects within EUMETSAT; and
  • Represent the SAF Network in international workshops, conferences and fora.

Focus‑Area responsibilities:

Post 1:  SAF Product Usage and SAF product portfolio management

  • Lead the definition, implementation and maintenance of the change process for the SAF product portfolio; 
  • Lead the definition, implementation and maintenance of the process for strategical realignment within a SAF phase (i.e. Mid‑Term Reviews);
  • Drive systematic assessment and inclusion of emerging user requirements and opportunities in the product portfolio; and
  • Ensure coherence of SAF processes with corporate product‑lifecycle processes.

Post 2:  Coordination of third-party funded SAF activities

  • Lead the definition, implementation and maintenance of processes for SAF activities procured under EUMETSAT commitments for third parties (e.g. for the European Commission);
  • Coordinate the planning and execution of third party funded SAF activities; and
  • Ensure compliance of third party activities with relevant rules

Post 3:  Coordination of SAF Innovation Layer and Digital / Cloud transformation

  • Lead the definition, implementation and maintenance of the SAF Innovation Layer processes (calls for innovation project proposals evaluation, monitoring, lessons‑learnt); and
  • Lead the identification and preparation for major technological transitions for data processing, cloud computing, data access and distribution and provide guidance as required by SAF.

 

Skills and Experience

Essential for all SAF Network Coordinator posts:

  • Proven experience coordinating complex, multi‑partner technical or scientific projects in an international setting;
  • Strong analytical, planning and organisational abilities, with a user‑focussed and solution-oriented mindset;
  • Demonstrated stakeholder‑engagement and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical issues for diverse audiences and achieving mutually carried outcomes;
  • Experience in process improvement and change management;
  • Sensitivity to political aspects in the implementation of the duties.

Post specific skills:

Post 1:  SAF Product Usage and SAF product portfolio management:

  • Experience in product usage monitoring;
  • Understanding of product value and impact evaluation concepts; and
  • Experience in product portfolio management.

Post 2:  Coordination of third-party funded SAF activities

  • Experience in working under EC (European Commission) rules (for instance via Horizon Europe engagements) or similar conditions as well as an understanding of the related funding principles;
  • Experience in the execution of public‑sector procurements; and
  • Experience in multi‑agency coordination.

Post 3:  Coordination of SAF Innovation Layer and Digital / Cloud transformation

  • Experience in managing innovation projects;
  • Understanding the particular challenges and opportunities of digital transformations; and
  • Experience in cloud‑native technologies and principles.

Employment Conditions

The initial contract will be of 4 years’ duration, with subsequent 5 year contracts being awarded thereafter, subject to individual performance and organisation requirements. There is no limit to the amount of follow-up contracts a staff member can receive up to the EUMETSAT retirement age of 63 and there are certainly opportunities to establish a long career perspective at EUMETSAT.
This post is graded A2/A4 on the EUMETSAT salary scales. The minimum basic salary for this post is EURO 7340 per month (net of internal tax but excluding pension contribution and insurances) which may be negotiable on the basis of skills and experience. The salary scale provides for increments on the anniversary of taking up employment, and scales are reviewed by the EUMETSAT Council with effect from 1 January each year. In addition to basic salary, EUMETSAT offers attractive benefits. Further information, including salary details, is available on the EUMETSAT web site.

EUMETSAT is committed to providing an equal opportunities work environment for men and women.
Please note that only nationals of EUMETSAT Member States may apply. The EUMETSAT Convention requires that Staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, account being taken of the international character of EUMETSAT.

About EUMETSAT

EUMETSAT is Europe’s meteorological satellite agency. Its 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 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 has 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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