Details
Reference number
424126
Salary
£40,415 - £44,480
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Senior Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Type of role
Project Delivery
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Cardiff, Wales, CF10 1EP : Edinburgh, Scotland, EH8 8FT : Leicester, East Midlands (England), LE4 5SP : Didcot, South East England, OX11 0DF
About the job
Job summary
Background: The UK Space Agency:
The UK Space Agency (UKSA) is an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) and provides technical advice on the government's space strategy, supporting the UK space sector to deliver the government's vision.
Space is a part of everyday life. Satellites underpin our national economy, from agriculture and banking to aviation and shipping, and support our national security. Space science provides critical data to understand and address global challenges such as climate change, while missions to explore our solar system unite nations and advance humanity's horizons.
We support a thriving space sector in the UK, which generates an annual income of £18.9 billion and employs 52,028 people across the country.
Through our portfolio of programmes and projects, we encourage the development of national space capabilities and are an early-stage investor in space research and development. We also promote the UK space sector's interests and achievements; make connections to join up industry and academia; and represent the UK in international space programmes.
We have a powerful global voice, partnering with institutions across the world, including the European Space Agency.
More information about the Agency is available here:
To discover more please watch this film
Our Inclusive Environment
We have an inclusive culture to make UK Space Agency a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.
We offer first-class flexible working benefits, excellent employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.
We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion.
Job description
The UK Space Agency's Sustainability & In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly & Manufacturing (ISAM) team is looking for a highly motivated individual with skills and experience in delivering stakeholder engagement and communications for a complex programme.
Space sustainability seeks to use the environment of space to meet the current needs of society without compromising the needs of future generations. This is increasingly difficult because the space environment, especially that closer to Earth, is growing increasingly congested as a greater number of satellites than ever before are being launched.
The UK seeks to develop new industrial capability and enhance our global leadership in space sustainability – from promoting the safe regulation of launch and operation of satellites to developing cutting edge active debris removal missions to remove defunct satellites and space junk.
Space sustainability is a global issue, so collaboration is vital. This requires effective engagement with governmental, industrial and academic organisations both nationally and internationally.
Through this wide-ranging role, the postholder will support delivery of programme engagement for a portfolio of Sustainability & ISAM initiatives including a national active debris removal (ADR) mission. Proactive and regular liaison with senior leads across the stakeholder spectrum (internal and external) is therefore vital, where responsibilities can involve anything from presenting on UK capabilities and discussing new collaboration opportunities, to organising events and compiling briefings and our newsletter/other promotional materials or acting as an ambassador for the UK Space Agency in meetings/events. Associated administrative tasks will also be required, such as writing business cases for engagement activities and reviewing invoices, updating our stakeholder database, posting on our collaborative stakeholder hub, etc.
This means working as a key member of the Sustainability & ISAM team to ensure that information on the programme's crosscutting activities is appropriately and professionally shared through different fora and communication channels. The postholder will report to the Space Sustainability Lead (line manager) while working day-to-day with the Engagement Lead (task manager) and other Agency colleagues to develop strategies for building new, and maintaining extant, relationships with a variety of UK and overseas organisations across government, industry and non-profits, whilst ensuring they align with broader national and international policy.
The post holder will have strong stakeholder engagement skills and experience with the natural ability to interact confidently, diplomatically, and professionally with a variety of national and international stakeholders, including government departments, industry, academia, and non-profits – often at senior level. Excellent writing/editorial skills and attention to detail are also essential as the post holder will work closely with the UK Space Agency's Communications team and manage contracts with partners to deliver accurate, accessible, and professional promotional materials.
Person specification
Key responsibilities include:
* Support the delivery of an Engagement Strategy to effectively promote UK Space Sustainability & ISAM capabilities (stakeholder mapping, comms plan, etc.), identifying opportunities to showcase the programme and wider UK space capabilities at national/international events (International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Space Symposium, Summit for Space Sustainability, New Scientist Live, UN, etc).
* Maintain existing, and help develop new, partnerships across the UK Space Agency, other government departments and the wider UK and international space sectors (governments, industry, academia, multilaterals) in alignment with the National Space Strategy (NSS) and Space Industrial Plan.
* Support wider sustainability initiatives which help define strategic direction for the programme, including engagement with industry and leading on content production to facilitate the development of technology roadmaps and investment strategies to enhance the Sustainability & ISAM sector.
* Coordinate and understand related activities across the UK Space Agency to enable development of cohesive Sustainability and ISAM technology roadmaps and delivery strategies.
* Assist in delivering NSS goals to influence the global approach to Space Sustainability through representation of UK in international fora and/or delivery of briefings, etc, including supporting DSIT colleagues in these activities.
* Lead compilation of timely and quality briefings, speeches and other written materials on an ad-hoc basis.
* Monitor and evaluate comms and engagement activities based on their impact, strategic relevance, deliverability and cost-effectiveness.
* Assist in the collation of Agency-wide sustainability engagement and communication activities to ensure a collective and cohesive approach is taken to Sustainability.
Essential Criteria:
* This is an important post with a high level of external engagement, therefore previous experience in stakeholder management and coordinating events/promotional materials.
* Strong interpersonal, networking and influencing skills, key to building trusted relationships with UK and international stakeholders and facilitating effective collaboration across organisational boundaries.
* Ability to represent the UK Space Agency among national and international stakeholders and communicate clearly and professionally to external audiences – in writing and verbally – with sensitivity to programmatic, political or cultural issues.
* Keen eye for detail, especially excellent written skills and proof-reading, with a methodical and evidence-based approach to producing promotional materials.
* Versatile, can-do attitude, strong organisational skills, and able to prioritise and deliver multiple projects/tasks at pace.
* Confidence to represent the programme at a senior level with stakeholders internal and external to the Agency.
* Ability to ask the right questions to clarify the purpose and objectives of stakeholder engagement and communications activity and advise on insight and evaluation.
* A keen eye for new/innovative comms and engagement tools/opportunities.
* Proficient/comfortable with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams), SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat.
Desirable Criteria:
* A strong understanding of the UK space sector.
* Knowledge of the international space sector.
* Experience of working with other government departments.
* Existing network of contacts across above sectors.
* Knowledge of Space Sustainability policy.
* Project management qualification or experience.
* Experience in using design software for newsletters, etc.
Travel
Some national and international travel will be required, including attendance at events outside normal working hours and weekends. The postholder will be able to recover this time in line with Agency's flexible working policy.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Working Together
* Delivering at Pace
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £40,415, UK Space Agency contributes £11,708 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
UK Space Agency offers a competitive mix of benefits including:
A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, flexible working and compressed hours.
Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
Access to a range of retail, travel, and lifestyle employee discounts.
A generous maternity/paternity and adoption leave package.
This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (your permanent duty station which is based on business assessment of where the work is best done) and working from home, or elsewhere, as a personal choice (if the role is suitable for this). If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement (maximum 500 words) and behaviour examples (maximum 250 words each).
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
You will be asked to complete a CV which will include job history, qualification details and previous skills and experience. The CV is for information and will not be scored.
The Personal Statement should be aligned to your motivation in applying for the role and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.
The Sift will be assessed on Personal Statement and Behaviours.
The Interview will be assessed on Behaviours and a Presentation. The presentation title is How would you identify and manage a variety of stakeholders when organising and managing an event?
The Interview location will be MS Team.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour Communicating and Influencing. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates
Expected Timeline subject to change
Sift date week commencing 8th September 2025.
Interview date week commencing 1st October 2025.
Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.
Further information
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
* Contact Government Recruitment Service via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
* Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.
Any move to UK Space Agency from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms directly. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
* Name : Liz Cox
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints