EUMETSAT, Europe's meteorological satellite agency, is recruiting a Copernicus Programme Management Officer (vacancy VN 26/41) for its headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany. The post offers an initial 4-year contract, a minimum basic salary of €7,553 per month (net of internal tax) and is open only to nationals of EUMETSAT Member States. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy: applications close on 21 October 2026.
What Is EUMETSAT?
EUMETSAT is Europe's meteorological satellite agency. Its role is to establish and operate meteorological satellites to monitor the weather and climate from space, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This information is supplied to the National Meteorological Services of the organisation's Member States in Europe, as well as other users worldwide.
EUMETSAT also operates, on behalf of the European Union, Copernicus satellites and instruments to provide data and support services to Copernicus users on:
🌊 Marine information
🌫️ Atmospheric composition
🌡️ Climate change
As an intergovernmental European Organisation, EUMETSAT has 30 Member States and provides data services to the Copernicus marine and atmospheric services and their users.
Vacancy at a Glance
🏢 Organisation: EUMETSAT
💼 Position: Copernicus Programme Management Officer
🔖 Vacancy number: VN 26/41
🛰️ Team: Copernicus Programme Office (CPO), Operations and Support to Users (OPS) Department
📍 Location: Darmstadt, Germany
📝 Initial contract: 4 years, followed by 5-year contracts
📈 Grade: A2/A4 on the EUMETSAT salary scales
💶 Minimum basic salary: €7,553 per month (net of internal tax)
🗣️ Languages: English, plus some knowledge of French
Where Does This Role Sit?
EUMETSAT is seeking an experienced professional to join the Copernicus Programme Office (CPO) in the Operations and Support to Users (OPS) Department.
The Programme Management Officer supports the EUMETSAT Copernicus Programme Manager in delivering EUMETSAT's contributions to the EU Copernicus Programme, in line with the EU-EUMETSAT Agreement. The role supports coordination with:
🇪🇺 The European Commission (EC)
🚀 The European Space Agency (ESA)
🤝 Other Copernicus partners
The post also contributes to enhancing programme visibility.
Key Responsibilities in Short
🗓️ Programme planning and scheduling
✅ Action management
📡 Progress monitoring
🔍 Analysis and reporting
🧮 Support to technical, cost and schedule assessments
Day-to-Day Programme Management Support
🧭 Support the Head of the Copernicus Programme Office (H/CPO) and Copernicus Mission Managers in day-to-day management activities.
📅 Carry out regular review and analysis of programme schedules and deliverable status.
⚠️ Identify issues requiring action within EUMETSAT or with partners.
Progress Reporting, KPIs and Dashboards
📑 Contribute to progress reporting to the European Commission, EUMETSAT Member States and the EUMETSAT Management Board.
📊 This includes the definition, maintenance and continuous improvement of programme KPIs and dashboards.
🔗 Interface with relevant matrix functions, supporting coordination between the Copernicus Programme Office and the administrative, user services, scientific and mission development divisions.
Meetings, Briefings and Follow-Up
🗣️ Prepare and support internal and external meetings and briefings.
📝 Capture actions and monitor follow-up.
🚨 Escalate critical issues to the H/CPO and Copernicus Mission Managers.
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Information Management
🗄️ Maintain the Copernicus Programme Office Information baseline in the EUMETSAT corporate Information Management tools.
Outreach and Awareness Reports
📰 Lead the preparation of Copernicus programme outreach and awareness reports (for example, the Copernicus Data User Uptake Report), in close coordination with the User Services and Communications divisions.
📣 Contribute to broader outreach activities.
Contracts and Studies
📃 Manage contracts or studies related to Copernicus programme uptake.
🛠️ Manage contracts or studies related to the development of tools and dashboards supporting internal and external reporting and outreach.
Qualifications and Languages
🎓 A university degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent vocational experience
🇬🇧 Ability to work effectively in English
🇫🇷 Some knowledge of French
Skills and Experience EUMETSAT Looks For
🌐 Understanding of Copernicus, Earth Observation programmes or similar institutional frameworks
📐 Solid understanding of programme/project management principles, including planning, scheduling and monitoring
🧠 Ability to understand and synthesise complex issues, coupled with good interpersonal, team-working and organisational skills and judgement, in particular as regards the evaluation of priorities
✍️ Excellent reporting and writing skills
📢 Experience contributing to outreach, reporting and communication activities
Contract Length and Career Perspective
The initial contract lasts 4 years, with subsequent 5-year contracts awarded thereafter, subject to individual performance and organisation requirements.
There is no limit to the number of follow-up contracts a staff member can receive up to the EUMETSAT retirement age of 63, and there are opportunities to build a long career perspective at EUMETSAT.
How Much Does the Copernicus Programme Management Officer Earn?
The post is graded A2/A4 on the EUMETSAT salary scales. The minimum basic salary is €7,553 per month, net of internal tax but excluding pension contribution and insurances, and it may be negotiable on the basis of skills and experience.
📈 The salary scale provides for increments on the anniversary of taking up employment.
🔄 Scales are reviewed by the EUMETSAT Council with effect from 1 January each year.
🎁 In addition to the basic salary, EUMETSAT offers attractive benefits.
ℹ️ Further information, including salary details, is available on the EUMETSAT website.
Who Can Apply?
Only nationals of EUMETSAT Member States may apply. The EUMETSAT Convention requires that staff are recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account the international character of EUMETSAT.
The 30 Member States are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
EUMETSAT is committed to providing an equal opportunities work environment for men and women.
Find more opportunities like this in our jobs listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the EUMETSAT Copernicus Programme Management Officer?
The minimum basic salary is €7,553 per month, net of internal tax but excluding pension contribution and insurances. It may be negotiable based on skills and experience, and EUMETSAT also offers attractive benefits.
Where is the job based?
The position is based in Darmstadt, Germany, in the Copernicus Programme Office of the Operations and Support to Users (OPS) Department.
How long is the contract?
The initial contract is 4 years, followed by 5-year contracts subject to individual performance and organisation requirements. There is no limit on follow-up contracts up to the EUMETSAT retirement age of 63.
Who is eligible to apply?
Only nationals of the 30 EUMETSAT Member States may apply. Staff are recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account the international character of EUMETSAT.
Which languages do I need?
You must be able to work effectively in English and have some knowledge of French.
Do I need a university degree?
A university degree in a relevant discipline is required, or equivalent vocational experience.
What experience is EUMETSAT looking for?
EUMETSAT looks for an experienced professional with an understanding of Copernicus, Earth Observation programmes or similar institutional frameworks, solid programme/project management knowledge, excellent reporting and writing skills, and experience in outreach, reporting and communication activities.
What grade is the post?
The post is graded A2/A4 on the EUMETSAT salary scales. The scales provide yearly increments on the anniversary of taking up employment and are reviewed by the EUMETSAT Council each year from 1 January.
Deadline
⏳ 21 October 2026
Link
🔗 Apply here: https://eumetsat.onlyfy.jobs/en/job/s407numz
