VN 25/68 Copernicus Atmospheric Missions Manager

EUMETSAT is seeking an experienced professional to join the Copernicus Programme Office (CPO) in the Operations and Support to Users (OPS) Department. The position will play a significant role in managing key Earth observation missions under the Copernicus Programme, with a focus on the Copernicus atmospheric missions, such as Sentinel-4, Sentinel-5, CO2M, and, relevant Third-party atmospheric missions, i.e. Microcarb.

The role will support the Copernicus Programme Manager (CPM) in overseeing mission-related activities and ensuring alignment with the obligations of the Copernicus Agreement between EUMETSAT and the European Commission (EC).

The Copernicus Atmospheric Missions Manager will be responsible for leading Sentinel-4, Sentinel-5 and CO2M programme interactions with the EUMETSAT EPS-SG and MTG programme teams, EC, ESA and ECMWF, once in operations. Activities include the coordination of mission operations, ground segment upgrades, and future evolutions in collaboration with stakeholders. This role involves managing stakeholder relations, ensuring the seamless operation and evolution of these missions, and maintaining agreements with partners such as ESA, the EC, and international collaborators.

• Coordinates the Sentinel-4, -5, CO2M and Microcarb operational tasks as outlined in the Copernicus Agreement between EUMETSAT and the EC, in close coordination the EUMETSAT user support, operations, science and engineering teams and international partners;
• Manages the relevant agreements with partners and external stakeholders as it concerns Copernicus missions in operation;
• Coordinates, in close cooperation with the Copernicus user support, engineering, operations and science teams, the analysis and implementation of change requests initiated by the Commission, ESA, international partners or other Copernicus entities, ensuring optimal communication between the teams;
• Maintains the Copernicus baseline documentation and related plans of Copernicus Atmospheric missions in operation;

• Prepares Copernicus atmospheric missions operation status reports to the EUMETSAT Management Board, member states and the EC;
• Interfaces with the Copernicus Services and users for programmatic matters, ensuring efficient two-way communication to guarantee that current and planned EUMETSAT activities related to the Copernicus atmospheric missions continue to meet the needs of users;
• Liaises with EPS-SG, MTG programme teams and the Copernicus development teams and supports the transition of the Copernicus atmospheric missions from development to operations;
• Supports Copernicus outreach activities and manages the Copernicus Atmospheric Missions outreach plan, in close coordination with the User Services and Communication teams.

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience directly working in international, highly operational and time critical environments, preferably directly related to satellite operations, earth observation or management of large-scale space-related activities;
• Very strong technical background in ideally one or more fields of: satellite operations, engineering and data services:
• Excellent understanding of the use of satellite data for operational applications, specifically on air quality and greenhouse gas monitoring;
• Innovation oriented mindset and ability to understand and synthesise complex issues and apply these to decision making processes;
• Excellent interpersonal, team working and communication (both oral and in writing) skills, with a proven ability to apply these to working within and across international and diverse teams.