Internal Auditor - European Space Agency (Noordwijk)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Space Agency on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Audit and advisory engagement planning, execution and reporting in accordance with international professional standards
• Assess adequacy of Agency's governance processes and effectiveness of internal control practices
• Ensure Agency policies, procedures, implementation, systems and data regarding management control and risk management are suited to their intended purpose
• Ensure significant risks are assessed and appropriate risk mitigation measures identified and implemented
• Ensure effective organisational performance management and accountability
• Verify compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and contracts
• Evaluate economic effectiveness of the Agency's internal operational policies and initiatives
• Assess application of principles of efficiency, economy, sound financial management and optimum use of Agency's resources

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Master's degree in internal audit, finance, accounting, business administration or another relevant discipline
• Experience: Minimum of fifteen years of professional experience, of which at least ten in internal audit, ideally including at least two years in internal audit within an international organisation
• Key skills: Sound understanding of the concepts of internal audit, Knowledge and understanding of the ESA business and its associated risks, Demonstrable experience in risk management, Analytical skills, Information systems skills, Data skills, Excellent analytical skills, Excellent communication skills, Excellent coordination skills, Strong report writing skills
• Eligibility: Candidates should be IIA - Certified Internal Auditors (CIA). A certified competence in auditing information systems (CISA) and/or performance auditing and/or accounting (ACCA, ACA, CPA etc.) would be highly advantageous.

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 4 years, extendable to indefinite.

Working arrangements: ESRIN, Frascati, Italy or ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

Hiring unit: Head of Internal Audit, Evaluation, Investigations and Ethics Compliance Office, Director General's Services.

Position details

Reference

1448621133

Last Verified

18 October 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Internal Auditor at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1448621133.

Job Requisition ID:20986

Date Posted:16 October 2026

Closing Date:6 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method:Internal & External

Type of Appointment (learn more):4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate:Director General's Services

Workplace: Frascati, IT Noordwijk, NL

Location ESRIN, Frascati, Italy or or ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Internal Auditor in the Head of Internal Audit, Evaluation, Investigations and Ethics Compliance Office, Director General's Services.

Duties

Reporting functionally to the Senior Internal Audit Lead under the general hierarchical supervision of the Head of Internal Audit, Evaluation, Investigations and Ethics Compliance Office, your tasks and responsibilities will cover audit or advisory engagement planning, execution and reporting, in accordance with international professional standards, including:

- assessing the adequacy of the Agency’s governance processes and effectiveness of the internal control practices with regard to: - ensuring Agency policies, procedures, implementation, systems and data regarding management control and risk management are suited to their intended purpose; - ensuring significant risks are assessed and appropriate risk mitigation measures identified and implemented; - ensuring effective organisational performance management and accountability; - compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and contracts;

- evaluating the economic effectiveness of the Agency’s internal operational policies and initiatives, the application of the principles of efficiency, economy, sound financial management and the optimum use of the Agency’s resources; - assessing potential weaknesses and identifying improvement opportunities in the Agency’s governance, risk management and control processes, formulating recommendations to the relevant organisational units and following-up on their implementation;

Your tasks will also include activities related to annual audit planning, quality reviews, administrative and management activities and other initiatives or projects related to the Internal Audit function.

Technical competencies

Sound understanding of the concepts of internal audit

Knowledge and understanding of the ESA business and its associated risks

Demonstrable experience in risk management

Analytical, information systems and data skills

Behavioural competencies

Education and professional experience

A master's degree in internal audit, finance, accounting, business administration or another relevant discipline, with a minimum of fifteen years of experience, of which at least ten in internal audit, ideally including at least two years in internal audit within an international organisation.

Additional requirements

Candidates should be IIA - Certified Internal Auditors (CIA) and possess strong report writing and presentation skills. A certified competence in auditing information systems (CISA) and/or performance auditing and/or accounting (ACCA, ACA, CPA etc.) would be highly advantageous. Applicants must demonstrate excellent analytical, communication and coordination skills and the ability to provide high quality, strategic output, often involving analysis of high volumes of information against tight deadlines. Candidates should be able to work independently on audit or advisory projects and/or as part of a team, with a strong focus on effectiveness and efficiency of their work.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 18 October 2026, today.

The application deadline is 6 November 2026, 17 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 18 October 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at ESA see the ESA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Noordwijk see our Noordwijk location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.