In support of ESA’s Earth Observation Directorate at ESTEC we are looking for : Project Control Assistant for GMES

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The candidate will support the GMES Space Segment Project Control activities, mainly within the Sentinel-1, Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5P projects, although support may also be required in the future for other GMES Projects within the Earth Observation Projects Department. In that respect he/she is required to assist the project controllers in a variety of tasks, including :

• Using the eSAP system in ESA in order to:
  • Prepare and maintain procurement actions: Contracts, CCNs, Purchase Orders, etc
  • Create and maintain eSAP milestone payment plans
  • Actively and timely manage all invoice handling in projects.
  • Report on financial status of procurements and internal cost of projects, as required.
• Support the project controllers in maintaining financial or procurement databases such as Cost to Completions, Geographical Return, Manpower allocation, etc;
• Prepare and assist in producing financial and programmatic reporting as required, both for incurred and for future expenditure;
• Support the administrative process of implementing the so called “Best Practices of selection of sub contractors”. This may include participating in Tender Evaluation Boards and subsequent contract negotiations;
• Monitoring of assigned contracts with respect to cost, payments, contract changes deviations and trends. Preparation of management reports on these areas;
• Support the Project Controllers in the introduction of new management or financial procedures / tools;
• Assist in the preparation of project audits by the European Court of Auditors, ESA external auditors, QMS audits, etc.

Skills and Experience:

• A third level education, a short cycle university education or equivalent in administration/ finance or accounting;
• Several years of experience of project or financial control;
• Knowledge of ESA administrative and financial processes is a definite advantage;
• Highly proficient in modern planning and project control tools, office automation software and databases, such as MS office including Excel;
• Experience with SAP, and preferably the specific ESA environment eSAP;
• Excellent planning and organisation skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team within the boundaries of assigned tasks and a stringent schedule;
• Initiative and motivation to perform to high standards in a demanding environment;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the outside world;
• Good communications and interpersonal skills;
• Willingness to operate in an international team;
• Fluent in English; knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an
  asset.

Starting date: February 2011 or as soon as possible thereafter

An exciting international working environment in a highly innovative and motivated team awaits you!

HE Space Operations is an international human resources company specialised in the space market. We have been providing consultancy services in space engineering and business administration for over 25 years. We generally work directly on-site with our principal customers such as the European Space Agency and EADS Astrium.