Location ESA Headquarters, Paris, France
Our team and mission
Strategy Department (SLE-S)
The European Space Agency's Strategy Department is at the centre of the action when it comes to shaping the future of Europe in space. Its mission is to transform Strategy 2040 from a vision into reality, ensuring ESA not only anticipates global challenges but also leads in addressing them.
The Strategy Department defines, coordinates and implements the Agency's strategic framework, including the ESA-wide strategy, working with all stakeholders. It runs the relevant processes and the Inter-Directorate Programme Strategy Group (IDPSG), and provides the foresight, strategic intelligence, tools and frameworks needed to translate long-term ambitions into action. It delivers strategic analysis to support decision-making and to keep the Agency's long-term objectives aligned with its short-, mid- and long-term planning cycles, while enabling ESA to set long-term priorities, prepare bold initiatives and align resources so that Europe remains a space leader on the world stage.
The Department also represents the Agency in relations with external strategy and policy organisations relevant to ESA's long-term positioning.
As an intern, you will be directly involved in this effort and gain unique insight into how strategic decisions are made at the highest level. You will have the chance to follow one of three paths, each playing a vital role in Europe's space future.
Strategic Initiatives (SLE-SC)
Within the ESA Strategy Department, the Strategic Initiatives Team supports the implementation of ESA’s Strategy 2040\. The Team is responsible for identifying, defining and coordinating new, cross-cutting initiatives that advance ESA’s strategic goals and priorities between Council Meetings at Ministerial level. The Team analyses strategic gaps and opportunities for the European space sector and accelerates the definition and early implementation of high-impact initiatives to address them. For this purpose, the Team works in close cooperation with ESA Directorates and strategic partners through collaborative frameworks, processes and campaigns.
In addition, the Team leads the development of new concepts, methodologies and tools for strategic innovation, and organises collaborative and competitive events, such as innovation sprints, to support the development of strategic initiatives. Finally, the Team supports the broader work of the Strategy Department and contributes to high-level engagements with ESA Member States, as required.
Strategic Coordination (SLE-SA)
Under the direct authority of the Head of Department, the Strategy Coordination Division coordinates the implementation and evolution of the Agency’s strategic framework, supporting ESA’s mission and objectives by maintaining the Long-Term Plan (LTP), monitoring Agency performance, and overseeing the Basic Activities (BA) programme. The Division ensures coherence across ESA’s short-, medium- and long-term planning cycles and coordinates closely with relevant Directorates and services.
1\. Long-Term Plan & Strategy Coordination
- coordinating the implementation and evolution of the Agency’s strategic framework;
- maintaining and defining the ESA Long-Term Plan (LTP) in line with the Agency’s strategic framework and across all programmes and activities;
- ensuring coherence across ESA’s short-, medium- and long-term planning cycles;
- integrating strategic foresight into Agency decision-making processes;
- coordinating strategic analysis and financial planning, including preparation for Council Meetings at Ministerial level;
- defining, monitoring and overseeing the evolution of the Agency’s key performance indicators (KPIs);
- contributing to the Agency-wide implementation of strategy-related recommendations and measures;
- preparing the ESA Annual Report to Council;
- analysing the strategic evolution of ESA’s footprint in Member States;
- preparing space-related background and strategic policy papers.
2\. Basic Activities Programme / Basic Activities Office
The BA constitute the Agency’s corporate, mandatory programme foundation, providing the capabilities, infrastructure, knowledge management, education programmes and early-stage R&D that underpin ESA’s programmes and prepare future missions and activities across all domains.
The Division oversees the programmatic and budgetary planning, geographical return, preparation, implementation and continuous evolution of the Basic Activities programme framework, ensuring consistency across the Agency and effective coordination with all relevant Directorates and services. It provides the governance, monitoring and strategic oversight required to ensure that BA activities remain coherent, affordable and aligned with the Agency’s strategic objectives.
A key responsibility of the Division is the preparation of the Director General’s Proposal on the Level of Resources (LoR) proposal, which is decided at Ministerial Council level, consolidating programmatic needs, financial requirements, strategic priorities and Member State considerations into a coherent and evidence-based proposal. The Division supports the process from early priority-setting and internal coordination through to Member State engagement and negotiation, ensuring that the BA package is strategically justified, financially sustainable and clearly articulated in terms of its value in enabling ESA’s programmes and future missions.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: <http://www.esa.int>
Field(s) of activity for the internship
Interns in the Strategy Department will contribute to the implementation of Strategy 2040, at the heart of ESA’s efforts to shape the future of Europe in space. Depending on their path, interns may support activities in Strategic Initiatives and Strategic Coordinations.
You can choose among the following topics:
1) Topic 1: Strategic Initiatives (SLE-SC)
Within the Strategic Initiatives Team, you will be involved in the practical activities behind new strategic initiatives, helping turn ideas, inputs and discussions into clear actions and useful material. You will support the preparation, coordination and follow-up of activities, helping the team organise information, prepare concise inputs for internal discussions, monitor ongoing work and keep workshops, Strategy Forums and competitive Innovation Sprints running smoothly.
You will contribute to:
- exploring strategic themes, emerging trends and relevant space-sector activities, then turning your findings into clear and useful summaries;
- bringing structure to information on innovation-related activities, helping the team track progress, spot connections and prepare internal reporting;
- shaping practical material for meetings, workshops and management discussions, including briefing notes, slide decks and short summaries;
- keeping collaborative activities moving by consolidating inputs, updating trackers, preparing agendas, capturing key points and following up on agreed actions;
- helping develop new tools and dashboards that make activities easier to monitor, analyse and communicate;
- engaging with colleagues from different teams and, where relevant, external partners by preparing practical material and helping turn collaborative inputs into usable outputs;
- supporting the organisation of lively strategy and innovation events, such as strategy forums, innovation sprints and innovation-focused workshops;
- supporting communication activities by helping to develop clear messaging, simple visual material and short articles.
2) Topic 2: Strategic Coordination (SLE-SA)
1\. Long-Term Plan & Strategy Coordination
During your internship, you will contribute to strategic planning and organisational transformation activities at the heart of ESA's Strategy Coordination function. In a highly international and multicultural environment, you will support the delivery of ESA's Long-Term Plan (LTP), a key Agency strategic document defining the pathways for the next decade.
You will support the development, deployment and operational implementation of a digital tool designed to monitor and facilitate this delivery.
You will collaborate closely with stakeholders across ESA directorates to collect, analyse and consolidate strategic data, helping to translate long-term ambitions into measurable actions and results.
The internship will also provide opportunities to support strategic analyses and evaluations of ESA's legal framework, administrative structures, programmes and financial planning contributing to the continuous evolution of the Agency.
In addition, you will support internal and external reporting and presentations of results and achievements for senior management and Member States.
2\. Basic Activities Programme / Basic Activities Office
Joining the Strategy Coordination Division within the Basic Activities team will allow you to gain first-hand experience in the management of ESA’s core mandatory programme framework and acquire an in-depth understanding of a number of activities considered the foundations of the Agency, while advancing the Agency's long-term goals.
In an international and multicultural environment, you will support the delivery of strategic analysis, helping to define the pathways for the next decades. During this internship, you will contribute to strategic planning and organisational transformation activities and gain unique insight into how strategic decisions are made at the highest level.
More specifically, you will have the chance to support the team by:
- analysing Member States' strategic positions, economic outlook and political policies to inform documents tabled at different committees;
- supporting the preparation of reports and documents on BA activity lines, including associated research and analysis;
- preparing intelligence briefings for key decision-makers, synthesising information on programmatic, political and industrial developments;
- contributing to the update of ESA’s programmatic roadmaps in coordination with Programme Directorates.
As part of the Strategy Department, you may also contribute to wider strategy-related activities, gaining insight into ESA’s institutional framework, programmes, policies and decision-making processes. In a multicultural and collaborative environment, you will interact with experts across different areas, develop a broader understanding of the European and international space sector and contribute directly to ESA’s strategic objectives and change.
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation Operational Efficiency Fostering Cooperation Relationship Management Continuous Improvement Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Education
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
Additional requirements
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
Strategic analysis and research
- interest in strategic planning, public policy or international affairs;
- knowledge of innovation management or a related field;
- ability to analyse and synthesise information from multiple source;
- good written and verbal English communication skills;
- ability to prepare clear and structured reports and presentations.
Digital tools and data analysis
- interest in digital transformation and data-driven decision-making;
- knowledge of software development is an asset.
Personal skills
- proactive attitude and willingness to learn;
- curiosity, initiative, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a multicultural team;
- strong organisational skills and attention to detail;
- ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
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 [ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int](mailto:ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int).
Important Information and Disclaimer During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding internship 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
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).