ESA CORE

BEHAVIOURAL
COMPETENCIES
Information to
candidates applying
to ESA vacancies
ESA CORE BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

INTRODUCTION

Each ESA vacancy notice lists two types of competency: technical and behavioural. These competencies reflect the skills and behaviours that are required in order to perform
well in the post. They are therefore tailored to the requirements of the specific vacancy and are evaluated during the recruitment and selection process.

CORE BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

ESA has identified six core behavioural competencies that apply to all ESA staff members (see table below) and are included in each vacancy. Each competency is further
defined by a set of behavioural expectations which are adapted to the level of the position. Examples of behavioural expectations are provided after the table.

Below you can find an overview of the six ESA core behavioural competencies and their definitions.

ESA CORE BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

GETTING THINGS DONE WORKING TOGETHER LOOKING FORWARD

RESULT ORIENTATION FOSTERING COOPERATION CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Takes initiative to find solutions and achieve Promotes cooperation and effective Displays adaptability and openness for change
optimal outcomes teamworking and innovation and is dedicated to improving
performance

OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT FORWARD THINKING

Organises and prioritises activities in Actively manages relationships and Understands the individual contribution to
a structured, efficient and healthy way interacts successfully with internal the overall goals and keeps the big picture
and external interfaces & stakeholders and long-term implications in mind

ESA CORE BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES | Information to candidates applying to ESA vacancies | DECEMBER 2020 2
EXAMPLES OF BEHAVIOURAL EXPECTATIONS FOR NON-MANAGERIAL POSITIONS

RESULT ORIENTATION

Achieves objectives meeting existing quality standards.

Takes responsibility for tasks and commits to deadlines.

Communicates and documents results and learning and draws on previous experience.

Stays focused when faced with challenges, handles them successfully and seeks out guidance if needed.

Resolves assigned and identified problems analytically by applying various techniques and tools.

Takes responsibility for delivery of team results.

Focuses on key actions and achieves objectives effectively and efficiently improving on existing quality standards.

OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

Performs assigned tasks within own area of expertise with independence.

Manages stress effectively and can work under occasional peak workload.

Accurately plans for time and resources required to accomplish tasks.

Anticipates potential obstacles, risks and opportunities in own planning.

Maintains an appropriate level of work-life balance acting as a role model.

ESA CORE BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES | Information to candidates applying to ESA vacancies | DECEMBER 2020 3
EXAMPLES OF BEHAVIOURAL EXPECTATIONS FOR NON-MANAGERIAL POSITIONS

FOSTERING COOPERATION

Conveys ideas and information in a structured manner, both verbally and in writing.

Pays attention to the ideas of others and respects other opinions and concerns.

Acts as a team player through active contribution, supporting others and willingness to compromise.

Manages and resolves conflicts actively through open communication.

Formulates clear expectations and explains complicated issues in a comprehensible way.

Takes responsibility
Values and encouragesfor delivery
team work.
of team results.

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

Initiates and develops professional relationships within and beyond own team.

Interacts respectfully with interfaces inside and outside ESA, being mindful to act as an ambassador for the Agency.

Is aware of needs and expectations of own customers and meets them accordingly.

Identifies stakeholders, evaluates interests and manages their expectations proactively.

Fosters awareness of roles and responsibilities to enable successful stakeholder relationships.

Is well connected beyond own individual area of responsibility and uses networks effectively.

Ensures commitment and cooperation of others within own area of responsibility.

ESA CORE BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES | Information to candidates applying to ESA vacancies | DECEMBER 2020 4
EXAMPLES OF BEHAVIOURAL EXPECTATIONS FOR NON-MANAGERIAL POSITIONS

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Reacts flexibly to changing circumstances and handles challenges effectively.

Provides and accepts constructive feedback.

Explores creative solutions.

Seeks professional exchange and appropriately shares knowledge and insights with others.

Reflects on own performance, knowledge and skills and proactively seeks out opportunities to improve.

Takes responsibility
Researches innovations
for delivery
in own of
field
team
of expertise
results. and incorporates them into own work.

Connects with experts in own field of expertise and advocates state-of-the-art standards and methods.

FORWARD THINKING

Comprehends the ESA vision and own contribution to the overall goals.

Stays informed about current events within ESA and relevant content and platforms outside the Agency.

Understands how objectives fit within the bigger picture and shares this with team members for them to contribute accordingly.

Keeps up-to-date on (geo)political and industry developments and reaches forward-looking conclusions.

Understands ESA structure and activities and the political and competitive environment related to own area of responsibility.

Takes well-informed
responsibility for
anddelivery
responsible
of team
decisions
results.to contribute to ESA’s success.

ESA CORE BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES | Information to candidates applying to ESA vacancies | DECEMBER 2020 5
EXAMPLES OF BEHAVIOURAL EXPECTATIONS FOR MANAGERIAL POSITIONS

RESULT ORIENTATION

Identifies, prioritises and resolves varying problems proactively and analytically by applying various techniques and tools.

Takes responsibility for the accomplishment of objectives within own area of responsibility and proactively addresses risk factors.

Monitors delivery and quality of results.

Finds optimal solutions beyond standard approaches and mechanisms.

Provides guidance to others to help them navigate challenges.

Takes responsibility
Promotes and rewardsfor excellent
delivery ofquality
team results.
results within an appropriate ratio of effort and benefits.

OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

Structures, coordinates and prioritises tasks within own area of responsibility and pays attention to interfaces and interdependencies.

Anticipates potential obstacles, risks and opportunities in own planning.

Structures, delegates and prioritises tasks within own area of responsibility effectively and guides others in achieving their objectives.

Performs varying tasks while dealing with a high variety of responsibilities.

Manages stress effectively and tries to alleviate pressure on others and support them.

Provides others with specific objectives and tasks based on the overall strategy.

ESA CORE BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES | Information to candidates applying to ESA vacancies | DECEMBER 2020 6
EXAMPLES OF BEHAVIOURAL EXPECTATIONS FOR MANAGERIAL POSITIONS

FOSTERING COOPERATION

Promotes and recognises effective team work setting clear expectations.

Encourages cooperation within and between teams by focusing on synergies and leading by example.

Ensures a safe environment to voice diverse ideas and opinions within own area of responsibility.

Formulates clear objectives and passes down information comprehensively within own area of responsibility.

Values and encourages team work and creates a sense of solidarity and purpose.

Takes responsibility
Ensures conflict andfor
dispute
delivery
resolution
of teamamong
results.colleagues.

Takes responsibility
Provides the means for
anddelivery
opportunities
of teamfor
results.
successful cooperation and leads by example.

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

Assesses and addresses interests of others while acting as an ambassador for the Agency.

Encourages and leads others in developing their network.

Analyses and evaluates customer and stakeholder interests, manages their expectations and devises requirements for own area of responsibility.

Holds authority beyond own area of responsibility and uses it effectively to gain commitment and achieve results.

Promotes and rewards network building beyond individual area of responsibility and facilitates connections leading by example.

Builds and maintains alliances and partnerships.

ESA CORE BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES | Information to candidates applying to ESA vacancies | DECEMBER 2020 7
EXAMPLES OF BEHAVIOURAL EXPECTATIONS FOR MANAGERIAL POSITIONS

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Reacts flexibly to changing circumstances and adapts objectives and planning accordingly.

Creates and implements innovative and creative solutions and continuous improvements.

Supports others in their development.

Promotes and recognises innovation and improvements.

Initiates and accepts required changes and positively encourages others to participate and be open to change.

Takesfor
Aims responsibility
ESA to be cutting
for delivery
edgeof
toteam
ensure
results.
its competitiveness.

Acts as an ambassador for change and improvement and leads others, ensuring comprehension and acceptance of change.

FORWARD THINKING

Comprehends and communicates the ESA vision and overall goals and devises objectives accordingly.

Keeps up-to-date on events and developments in the space sector and understands long-term implications within own area of responsibility.

Promotes and recognises responsible solutions.

Utilises ESA’s entire structure and activities and its political and competitive environment to position the Agency as a key player and thought leader.

Analyses and interprets developments in the space sector and their potential impact for the future within and beyond own area of responsibility.

Takes responsibility
Ensures decisions areforbased
delivery
onoflong-term
team results.
strategy and vision.

Takesasresponsibility
Acts a role modelfor
fordelivery
forwardof
thinking
team results.
across ESA and inspires others.

ESA CORE BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES | Information to candidates applying to ESA vacancies | DECEMBER 2020 8
 For more information,
please visit our Career
site here.

Photo credits: Cover – from left to right: ©ESA/IPEV/PNRA–S. Thoolen / ©ESA/NASA / ©ESA - J Ma / ©ESA. Last page: ©ESA/NASA.