Very High Resolution (VHR) Data Solutions Coordinator - European Space Agency (Frascati)

Contract TypeOther
Deadline31 August 2026

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.

Job Requisition ID:20818

Date Posted:31 July 2026

Closing Date:31 August 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:Internal & External

Directorate:Earth Observation Programmes

This is a **fixed-term appointment** with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

**Location**

ESRIN, Frascati, Italy

## **Description**

In the context of various EU and ESA programmes, including Copernicus, Earthnet and emerging programme elements currently under definition, you will be responsible for driving innovation and supporting the definition and implementation of activities aimed at ensuring the seamless integration, exploitation and management of Third Party Mission (TPM) data, with a particular focus on commercial Earth observation (EO) data sources. Particular emphasis will be placed on the evolving European EO data service ecosystem and the increasing use of Very High Resolution (VHR) EO data.

You will support the coordination of Copernicus Contributing Mission (CCM) activities implemented by ESA's Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes and funded under the EU Copernicus Programme. This includes contributing to the definition and implementation of future CCM evolutions, ensuring alignment with emerging user needs, technological developments and European policy objectives.

In addition, you will support the coordination and definition of the next cycle of ESA’s Earthnet programme element, contributing to the preparation and implementation of future programme proposals and new EO-related initiatives in view of ESA’s next Council meeting at ministerial level and subsequent programme developments.

Furthermore, you will support the definition, coordination and implementation of additional VHR data procurement and service solutions addressing both internal ESA needs and external programmatic initiatives, while fostering collaboration with European institutions, commercial data providers and the wider EO community.

## **Duties**

You will report to the EO Third Party Missions Manager and to the Head of the EO Mission Management and Product Quality Division.

Your main duties will include:

* supporting innovation and programme development for Third Party Missions, with a focus on the integration, management and exploitation of commercial EO and VHR data within European EO data ecosystems; * coordinating and supporting the implementation, evolution and strategic development of ESA’s CCM activities funded by the European Union; * contributing to the management, definition, preparation and implementation of future Earthnet activities and new ESA Earth observation programme elements; * coordinating VHR data procurement activities and service solutions addressing ESA, Copernicus and other European institutional user requirements; * monitoring evolving VHR EO data needs across European, national and institutional users in ESA Member States, Participating States and Cooperating States; * supporting flexible coordination, data brokerage and user engagement functions tailored to diverse stakeholder communities and application domains; * fostering collaboration with ESA, the European Commission, commercial data providers and the wider EO community to ensure effective programme delivery and alignment with user needs; * monitoring market trends, technological developments and emerging commercial EO capabilities, identifying opportunities for innovation and enhanced data exploitation; * supporting the efficient implementation and evolution of ESA VHR data and service procurement, including the further development and operation of ESA's Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS).

## **Technical competencies**

Earth observation missions and programmes, in particular the Copernicus Space Component Programme (both space and ground segments) and the ESA Earthnet Programme

Knowledge of EO products, applications and market sectors

commercial aspects in the context of EO

NewSpace technologies, methods and market trends

Knowledge of procurement processes and service-based procurements

## **Behavioural competencies**

## **Education and professional experience**

A master’s degree in Earth sciences or economics is required for this post, together with five years of relevant professional experience.

Position details

Reference
1421117733
Last Verified
6 August 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Very High Resolution (VHR) Data Solutions Coordinator at ESA based in Frascati (Other). The vacancy reference is 1421117733.

Job Requisition ID:20818

Date Posted:31 July 2026

Closing Date:31 August 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:Internal & External

Directorate:Earth Observation Programmes

This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Location

ESRIN, Frascati, Italy

## Description

In the context of various EU and ESA programmes, including Copernicus, Earthnet and emerging programme elements currently under definition, you will be responsible for driving innovation and supporting the definition and implementation of activities aimed at ensuring the seamless integration, exploitation and management of Third Party Mission (TPM) data, with a particular focus on commercial Earth observation (EO) data sources. Particular emphasis will be placed on the evolving European EO data service ecosystem and the increasing use of Very High Resolution (VHR) EO data.

You will support the coordination of Copernicus Contributing Mission (CCM) activities implemented by ESA's Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes and funded under the EU Copernicus Programme. This includes contributing to the definition and implementation of future CCM evolutions, ensuring alignment with emerging user needs, technological developments and European policy objectives.

In addition, you will support the coordination and definition of the next cycle of ESA’s Earthnet programme element, contributing to the preparation and implementation of future programme proposals and new EO-related initiatives in view of ESA’s next Council meeting at ministerial level and subsequent programme developments.

Furthermore, you will support the definition, coordination and implementation of additional VHR data procurement and service solutions addressing both internal ESA needs and external programmatic initiatives, while fostering collaboration with European institutions, commercial data providers and the wider EO community.

## Duties

You will report to the EO Third Party Missions Manager and to the Head of the EO Mission Management and Product Quality Division.

Your main duties will include:

* supporting innovation and programme development for Third Party Missions, with a focus on the integration, management and exploitation of commercial EO and VHR data within European EO data ecosystems; * coordinating and supporting the implementation, evolution and strategic development of ESA’s CCM activities funded by the European Union; * contributing to the management, definition, preparation and implementation of future Earthnet activities and new ESA Earth observation programme elements; * coordinating VHR data procurement activities and service solutions addressing ESA, Copernicus and other European institutional user requirements; * monitoring evolving VHR EO data needs across European, national and institutional users in ESA Member States, Participating States and Cooperating States; * supporting flexible coordination, data brokerage and user engagement functions tailored to diverse stakeholder communities and application domains; * fostering collaboration with ESA, the European Commission, commercial data providers and the wider EO community to ensure effective programme delivery and alignment with user needs; * monitoring market trends, technological developments and emerging commercial EO capabilities, identifying opportunities for innovation and enhanced data exploitation; * supporting the efficient implementation and evolution of ESA VHR data and service procurement, including the further development and operation of ESA's Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS).

## Technical competencies

Earth observation missions and programmes, in particular the Copernicus Space Component Programme (both space and ground segments) and the ESA Earthnet Programme

Knowledge of EO products, applications and market sectors

commercial aspects in the context of EO

NewSpace technologies, methods and market trends

Knowledge of procurement processes and service-based procurements

## Behavioural competencies

## Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in Earth sciences or economics is required for this post, together with five years of relevant professional experience.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 31 July 2026, 6 days ago.

The application deadline is 31 August 2026, 24 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 6 August 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 Frascati see our Frascati 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.

Career trajectory

Career progression for this grade staff is governed by Articles 44 to 46 of the Staff Regulations (consolidated text on EUR-Lex) and Annex IB on the promotion procedure. Step increases are automatic every two years (Art. 44); grade promotion is competitive, based on the appraisal exercise (Art. 45) and the Career Development Review. For roles at ESA, progression to the next grade typically takes three to five years on merit, with two-yearly step increases in between. Article 46 governs the classification at recruitment, which sets the starting step within the grade (usually step 1 for external recruits without prior EU service, step 2 or 3 where relevant professional experience is recognised).
Mobility within the institutions is encouraged via the inter-institutional and intra-institutional vacancy publication system: temporary agents who pass the probation period and reservists from EPSO laureate lists can typically apply to internal vacancies after one year of service. Lateral moves between Directorates-General reset the seniority clock for promotion only if the new post carries a different grade.

Language profile

Beyond the formal language requirements stated in the vacancy notice, the day-to-day working languages at this employer are English and French in roughly equal measure, with German appearing in some technical files. Internal meetings and most policy drafting in Brussels run in English; French remains the preferred internal language in Luxembourg-based services and parts of DG TRADE.

Application cadence

ESA has not advertised another comparable role with the same grade and subject signature in the past twenty-four months. This opening has rarely been seen on the EU Careers feed and may be the first such posting in our two-year window. Applicants who pass the eligibility checks should not assume the same profile will reopen on a predictable cadence.

Source: This job listing was sourced from the officialEU Careers portal (EPSO). First published: .

Remove ads and unlock all featuresGo Premium