Team Leader

About the Position

The “Support to the Africa–EU Space Partnership Programme – AESPP Boost” is a flagship 54-month technical assistance initiative designed to drive political, technical, and market convergence between Africa and Europe in the space sector. The project aims to strengthen the Africa-EU Space Partnership by building robust stakeholder coalitions, enhancing visibility, and fostering the development of the private-sector ecosystem. Core activities include supporting policy dialogue, capacity building, market development, and the orchestration of joint African and European space initiatives, with a strong focus on gender inclusion and youth empowerment.

Responsibilities

• Steer the overall implementation of the programme, ensuring the quality and timely delivery of outputs.
• Lead a diverse and multidisciplinary team of experts.
• Maintain direct, high-level communication with the Contracting Authority, African Union bodies, EU Delegations, and other key stakeholders.
• Convene and facilitate strategic dialogues and coalition-building across the Africa-EU space ecosystem.
• Oversee the design and delivery of capacity-building, innovation, and business support activities.
• Represent the partnership at ministerial, industry, and technical fora, raising its visibility and impact.

Requirements

Essential:

• Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in Political Sciences, Business, Economics, Engineering, Geospatial Sciences, Climatology, or a related field. Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree with 6 additional years of relevant senior experience.
• Excellent command of English (C1/C2); strong French (B2/C1) is mandatory; working knowledge of Portuguese and/or Arabic is highly desirable.
• Recognised public stature and credibility in both political and technical environments; proven spokesperson at ministerial, technical, and industry fora across Africa and Europe.
• Familiarity with EU space assets (Copernicus, Galileo/EGNOS) and African space programmes and policies.
• High political acumen, operational diplomacy, and coalition-building skills.
• Exceptional communication and advocacy skills; able to translate technical concepts into policy and business value.
• Strong leadership, coordination, and interpersonal skills; proven ability to lead and inspire multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.

Desirable:

• Deep, up-to-date knowledge of both European and African space stakeholders and ecosystems.
• Established relationships with African Union Commission (AUC), African Space Agency (AfSA), Regional Economic Communities (RECs/RCCs), and European technical partners (ESA, EUMETSAT, ECMWF).

General Professional Experience

• At least 20 years of progressive leadership experience spanning political, technical, diplomatic, economic, and communication dimensions relevant to the Africa–EU space partnership.
• Significant experience (7–10+ years) working in African contexts, including with continental and regional bodies (AUC/AfSA, RECs/RCCs) and with European technical partners.
• Demonstrated leadership of complex, multi-partner programmes funded by the EU or comparable donors.
• Strong track record in EU–AU policy dialogue, institutional capacity building, and public-private partnership development.

Specific Professional Experience

• Proven coalition-builder across public sector, industry, academia, and civil society; experience engaging investors and market actors.
• Experience interfacing with ESA, EUMETSAT, ECMWF is an asset; familiarity with JRC, INTPA, EU Delegations, and DG DEFIS is desired.
• Experience in market development, investment facilitation, and innovation ecosystem support in the space sector.

We Offer

• Opportunity to lead a pivotal role in a flagship initiative.
• Work with a diverse and multidisciplinary team.
• Represent the partnership at high-level fora.

About the Company

The project is a technical assistance initiative aimed at strengthening the Africa-EU Space Partnership by building robust stakeholder coalitions, enhancing visibility, and fostering the development of the private-sector ecosystem.

Application Details

• Application Deadline: Sat, 30 May 2026 - 12:00
• Duration: 11/2026 - 05/2031
• Location: Global