Job Description

Safety and Security Officer

Job Requisition ID: 20327

Date Posted: 11 March 2026

Closing Date: 1 April 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Appointment: 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Resources and Services

Workplace:

Darmstadt, DE Redu, BE Porz-Wahn, DE

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany, EAC, Cologne, Germany or ESEC, Redu, Belgium.

Description

Safety and Security Officer, Real Estate and Facilities Management (REFM) Division C, REFM Department, Directorate of Resources and Services.

Under the direct authority of the Head of REFM Division C, you will be responsible for ensuring that safety, security and environmental instructions, regulations and procedures are properly implemented at the ESOC, EAC and ESEC sites.

As Safety and Security Officer you will provide safety and security advice to the Heads of Establishment or Centre at ESOC, EAC and ESEC, who, as appropriate, issue safety and security instructions in compliance with relevant local legislation and ESA policy/procedures. You will oversee internal REFM service, safety and environmental management, ensuring compliance with applicable ESA policy and relevant national legislation.

In line with the requirements of the ESA Security Directives, you will fulfil the role of Site Security Officer (SSO) for ESOC, EAC and ESEC, with all the specific duties and obligations defined for that role. Similarly, for the corporate health and safety policy, you will fulfil the role of Safety, Security and Environmental Officer (HSSEO) for ESOC, EAC and ESEC.

Duties

As Safety and Security Officer, you will report to the REFM Head of Division C.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

ensuring that ESOC’s, EAC’s and ESEC's physical security complies with all relevant national legislation as well as with ESA's security directives and policies;
ensuring that ESOC’s, EAC’s and ESEC's incident management system complies with all relevant national legislation as well as with ESA’s health and safety policy;
ensuring that ESOC’s, EAC’s and ESEC's environmental management system complies with relevant national legislation as well as with applicable ESA policy;
ensuring compliance with Head of Establishment or Centre and departmental instructions relating to ESOC, EAC and ESEC;
managing the local interface with the ESOC, EAC and ESEC security contract;
keeping all health, safety and security procedures, manuals and other related documents up to date;
managing the technical infrastructure and systems related to safety and security onsite;
liaising with national and local authorities for related day-to-day activities (such as fire and workplace inspections, police, or national security authorities);
investigating and reporting on health, safety and security accidents, incidents or infringements as directed by the Head of Establishment or Centre at ESOC, EAC and ESEC;
initiating and coordinating audits, inspections, visits, studies, accident prevention exercises and measures;
acting as a focal point for security training, awareness improvement and advice;
updating and constantly evaluating the site HSE risk analysis;
acting as contact point for the site's ISO 45001 (or equivalent) certification entities;
where applicable, acting as the Technical Officer or Technical Representative for service contracts related to occupational safety and physical security.

Technical competencies

Knowledge and understanding of the Agency's core business

In-depth understanding of physical security, safety and environmental management systems and processes

Ability to identify issues proactively and implement effective solutions

Experience in compliance and risk management: safety, security, environmental, and regulatory standards

Extensive experience in a similar position

Behavioural competencies

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

For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

You should have a master's degree in a relevant discipline.

Additional requirements

Professional certification or membership of a professional association in one or more of the following fields: security, business continuity, and/or health and safety;
Excellent communication and organisational skills, result-orientation and the ability to drive change in a multicultural environment;
The ability to establish effective working interfaces both inside and outside ESA;
Significant experience in overseeing physical security services, and health, safety and environmental management at large establishments would be highly desirable;
Experience in project management would be considered an asset, particularly in the coordination and delivery of operational and service-related projects;
In-depth knowledge (speaking and reading) of French and German.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

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 via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

Important Information and Disclaimer
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

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

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

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.