Mission Operations Security Officer

Job Requisition ID: 18783

Date Posted: 30 September 2024

Application Deadline: 14 October 2024 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Contract: Permanent

Directorate: Operations

Workplace: Darmstadt, DE

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Description
Mission Operations Security Officer in the Technical and Management Support Office, Mission Operations Department (OPS-O), Directorate of Operations (D/OPS), within the area of mission security.

The Technical and Management Support Office is responsible for providing expertise in mission security for the ground segment and operations to missions entrusted to ESOC or supported by D/OPS. For aspects relating to the mission operations security of other projects, support is provided on a case-by-case basis.

Within the Office, you will support missions with operational security aspects and will assist the leader of the team handling mission operations security and the Cyber Security Manager (CSM) in their mandates, identifying and supporting the implementation of ESA security policy for the missions operated by the Department as well as the operations preparations. You will also provide support for security-related matters to missions operated by institutional and commercial partners.

Duties
You will initially be assigned to supporting the OPS-O Mission Project/System Security Officers (PSSOs) and CSM in discharging their functions relating to operations security for the missions operated by OPS-O, with a view to taking up a PSSO role in the context of increasing demand for operations security engineering and coordination. Your duties may also include supporting projects and missions operated by ESA’s institutional and commercial partners in the domain of mission operations security. Under the coordination of the Mission Operations Security Team Lead, and interfacing with the team, your tasks will include interfacing from a customer perspective with the Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC) for functions relating to mission operations.

Your tasks will include:

• supporting the Spacecraft Operations Managers/Heads of Unit to address operations security related matters such as certification and approvals, for example System Security Policy (SSP) renewal and endorsement;
• performing Mission Security Risk Assessment (SRA), assessing the security risks of the missions entrusted to the Department and the applicable security directives or requirements flowing down from the various projects;
• ensuring, for the missions supported, that Directorate and Agency-level security policies and procedures are fulfilled;
• providing engineering support for operations security-related matters, such as security audits, requirements development and the preparation of specific mission security operations procedures (SECOPS);
• assisting the OPS-O Cyber Security Manager and Mission Operations Security Team Lead in interfacing with the Cyber-Security Operations Centre and the dedicated team within the Mission Operations Infrastructure maintenance and operations team and, in particular, identifying mission operations security requirements for their implementation within the CSOC;
• assisting the Head of Office in the specification, development, validation, maintenance and evolution of the ground segment systems and operational products required to conduct mission operations;
• providing expertise and support to other areas within the Agency, industry, the user community, external centres and/or agencies in the domains of mission operations, ground segment and system validation, and space-to-ground interfaces;
• providing support to the Head of Office, Mission PSSO and Spacecraft Operations Managers for specific missions in discharging their mandates and preparing for new missions to be operated or supported by the Department. This may include participation in reviews, preparations and operations of other missions delegated to the Office, the Department or its Divisions and support to other D/OPS or ESA activities;
• deputising upon request for the Mission Operations Security Team Lead, for example by taking over the role of Mission PSSO.

Technical competencies
General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position, especially in the area of security and cyber-security operations.

Knowledge of mission, spacecraft and/or payload operations

Understanding of the development and maintenance of ground infrastructure and/or software systems

Knowledge of large operations and associated software systems, preferably space-based

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

Education
A master's degree in a STEM subject is required for this post.

Additional requirements
You must be eligible for personal security clearance by the relevant national authorities. Security certifications such as CISSP or CISM and PSC would be an asset.
Experience in security engineering and standards, preferably applied to space, is mandatory. Experience in managing the human factor of information security, in ground segment design, operations and mission planning and scheduling aspects, as well as knowledge and direct experience in both spacecraft platform and subsystem operations are considered assets for the position.
Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to prioritise tasks in a multi-subject/multi-project operational environment are required.

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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

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 [email protected].

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.

Applicants must be eligible to access technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations & security clearance by their national security administrations.

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 can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented 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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

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