CORDEX-IPO Programme Manager [26078] in Didcot

HE Space is a successful international space company, specialised in providing managed services and human resources to the international space sector for over 40 years. We hire space experts all over Europe across the whole spectrum of space-related activities, from engineering to science, software development, operations, marketing, finance and administration. Our employees contribute towards a wide range of groundbreaking space programmes including Galileo and Copernicus, ExoMars, Iris2, ESA BASS, ESA GSPT, LISA Pathfinder, Euclid, the Ariane and Vega launchers as well as the International Space Station.

The World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) invites applications for the position of Programme Manager for the International Project Office for Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (IPO CORDEX), to be hosted jointly by the European Space Agency (ESA) and University of Cape Town (UCT). The WCRP is sponsored by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the International Science Council (ISC), and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The WCRP goals are to determine the extent to which climate can be predicted and the extent of human influence on climate.

As Programme Manager you will be responsible for supporting coordination, planning, development, and implementation of the activities of CORDEX and leading on implementation of operations of the IPO as well as facilitating active CORDEX IPO liaison between the climate observations and modelling communities. This includes the following key responsibilities:

• Supporting the organisation of the activities of the CORDEX SAT.
• Organising and contributing to CORDEX international meetings, events and to partner/sponsoring organizations.
• Working closely with CORDEX SAT, RIfS IPO and WCRP secretariat providing scientific, technical and administrative support.
• Leading on establishing appropriate collaborative working platforms, processes and operational workflows, taking account of relevant WCRP, HE Space and ESA requirements and guidelines.
• Supporting the Director in coordination, planning, development and implementation of the CORDEX experimental design, data archiving and dissemination, and associated observational, reanalysis, forcings, scenarios and modelling efforts.
• Responsibility for financial programme management and reporting.
• Contributing to quarterly activity reporting.
• Supporting the Director in delivering appropriate governance structure and materials to support CORDEX governance.
• Preparing reports, correspondence and publications as needed.
• Facilitating active liaison between the climate observations and regional modelling communities, with a focus on strengthening the connections, cooperation and coordination between models and observations, organising relevant meetings and conferences.
• Assisting the cooperation between CORDEX and other relevant international programmes and activities, including contacts and interaction.

Qualifications:

• PhD or Master's degree in Climate Science, Meteorology, Environmental Science, Geophysics, or a closely related field.
• Formal project/programme management qualification and demonstrated experience of managing large scale international projects, including financial reporting and data protection.
• Proven track record of organizing international scientific meetings, workshops, and conferences.
• Demonstrated skills in strategic planning, project coordination, and stakeholder engagement across international scientific communities.
• Ability to liaise effectively with scientific panels (e.g., CORDEX SAT, RIfS SSG) and provide scientific, technical and administrative support.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, especially in multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional environments/projects.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
• Willingness and capacity to travel internationally.

Desirable:

• Experience in climate research or climate science management, preferably with a focus on regional climate modelling and downscaling techniques.
• Demonstrated experience in scientific coordination, especially between modelling and observational communities.
• Demonstrated experience in production of content for best practice, guidance and scientific publications.
• Experience of contract management and procurement.
• Experience of strategic implementation of AI solutions, bridging the gap between operations efficiency and relevant regulatory compliance.

Location: The CORDEX Programme Manager will be hosted by the European Space Agency's Climate Office, located at the ESA European Centre for Satellite Applications Technologies (ECSAT) in Harwell, UK with flexible home working options within the UK available. Applications will remain open until 30th of May.

Employment structure: The IPOC will be hosted by the European Space Agency; however, the team is contracted and managed for ESA by HE Space Operations Ltd. HE Space is offering a competitive salary for this position for suitably qualified candidates.

Our benefits in the UK: We offer competitive compensation, and our benefits packages are customised per location to better match local needs. Here in the spotlight are three example benefits of them for our employees located in the UK:

• Relocation support: Financial Support for your relocation expenses to Harwell and one month's paid accommodation if needed.
• Pension Scheme: All our employees in the UK fall under a pension scheme. HE Space contributes to this pension scheme.
• Training & Professional Development: Your individual training needs are important to us, and we support your attendance at conferences, e-learning, conventional group and individual classes.