Head of Evaluation

Vacancy in the Director General's Services.

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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

This post is classified A5 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale .

Location
ESA Headquarters, Paris, France or ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom or ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands​.

Head of Evaluation in the Internal Audit and Evaluation Service, Director General's Services.

You will be responsible for planning and executing objective and independent evaluation services, reporting to the Head of the Internal Audit and Evaluation Service (DG-A) within DG Services. 

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• developing the proposal for the annual Evaluation Plan based on the Agency’s risks and priorities;
• serving as subject matter expert and the primary person responsible for planning and conducting evaluation projects and reporting the results to senior management and/or relevant committees;
• designing and adapting evaluation methodologies to respond to the new demands and evolving needs of the Agency and/or evolving best practices in the profession;
• advising management on the establishment of key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of ESA programmes and policies and supporting the analysis and monitoring of these KPIs in line with evaluation methodology;
• helping to establish a robust culture of evaluation within ESA;
• preparing terms of reference, selecting consultants and supervising contract execution if and where required for the successful delivery of evaluation products;
• continuously enhancing the Office’s capabilities, including through methods such as lean reviews, developing data and analysing management processes and practices and their outcomes; 
• delivering special projects and ad-hoc analysis with a focus on efficiency and/or effectiveness gains at the request of senior management and acting as a change agent to catalyse positive change within ESA;
• conducting benchmarking studies with other multilateral organisations and/or industry and advising on how the results could be adapted into ESA processes;
• leading the Evaluation Team and all its activities, including the necessary operational guidance and administrative supervision;
• collaborating with the other teams within the ESA Audit and Evaluation Service, including exchange of information and/or conducting joint engagements to best serve the needs of the Agency.

Knowledge of evaluation methodologies

Experience in working with senior management, particularly in establishing change management or helping to accelerate positive organisational change

Good understanding of data analysis principles and techniques

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

A master’s degree in business administration, economics, public management, political and social science or a related discipline is required for this post.

• A minimum of ten years of demonstrated experience in policy or programme evaluation, change management or data analysis to support senior management decision-making
• A minimum of five years of demonstrated senior-level experience in analysing and formulating recommendations to address policy, programme, governance or process-related issues
• Demonstrated experience in fostering working relationships with governmental or intergovernmental bodies, with the ability to interact at a high level

The following will be considered assets:

• Strong experience in data analysis, particularly the use of Power BI and/or artificial intelligence
• Previous experience in a multilateral organisation and/or national administration 
• Previous work experience in policy or programme development or implementation 

You should, in addition, have:

• proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of experts in evaluation, change management and data analysis;
• the ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within DG-A and to relate team objectives to the overall, evolving organisational goals and context;
• the ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
• a proven track record of representing the Agency’s interests to external interfaces;
• excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• the ability to anticipate problems, resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• the ability to make solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity, as well as to support others, such as team members, upper management and other stakeholders, in this process.

People management experience is an asset, as is international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

Other Information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.

For further information please visit: Professionals , What we offer   and FAQ

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.

The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests. 

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 at [email protected] .

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Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,  Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

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 first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States *.

In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service. 

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.