Support to the Africa–EU Space Partnership Programme – AESPP Boost
Team Leader
About the job
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.
The Team Leader will provide high-level strategic, political, and technical leadership for the AESPP Boost programme. This pivotal role will serve as the primary ambassador and interface between African and European institutions, specialised operators, and market actors. The Team Leader will be responsible for ensuring coherence, complementarity, and measurable impact across all programme objectives and related initiatives, catalysing public-private partnerships, and translating institutional advances into market opportunities.
The Team Leader will provide high-level strategic, political, and technical leadership for the AESPP Boost programme. This pivotal role will serve as the primary ambassador and interface between African and European institutions, specialised operators, and market actors. The Team Leader will be responsible for ensuring coherence, complementarity, and measurable impact across all programme objectives and related initiatives, catalysing public-private partnerships, and translating institutional advances into market opportunities.
What you will do
- 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.
Your qualifications
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.
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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 profesional 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.
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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.
Offer details
Last modified
24 seconds
Languages
English
French
Application deadline
Duration
11/2026 - 05/2031
The project
Client
EU
Sector
Peace and Security
Countries
Global
Start & Duration
11/2026 - 05/2031