Scientific Affairs Officer (Space Technology), P-3

Scientific Affairs Officer (Space Technology), P-3

UNOOSA - United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs

Vienna, Austria

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the Committee, Policy and Legal Affairs (CPLA) Section, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), in Vienna, Austria. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Chief, CPLA Section, and under overall guidance of the Director, UNOOSA.

Responsibilities

CPLA is responsible for assisting the Director discharge the responsibilities of the Secretary-General under the United Nations Treaties and Principles on Outer Space and related resolutions, among which is the maintenance of the United Nations Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space. Within assigned authority, the Scientific Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Maintain the United Nations Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space; and support the maintenance of digital and online components of the Register, including related portals and tools for treaty implementation;
• Receive and verify technical information provided by Member States on space objects and events under international space law and relevant documents; ensure the effective and timely dissemination of received technical information; respond to technical queries from editors, translators and other stakeholders relating to received information; and engage with Member States on resolution of such queries;
• Provide effective and timely technical advisory services to Member States on the practical implementation of treaty obligations;
• Keep abreast of the near-Earth and deep-space space object population to assess the effectiveness of global treaty implementation; utilise orbital data and off-the-shelf software to model and produce graphical visualisations of orbital trends and events, such as population growth, general orbital analysis, manoeuvre and conjunction modelling, trajectory and impact predictions; Collect and analyse data on space activities to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making by UNOOSA senior management;
• Provide substantive support for UNOOSA’s programme on space sustainability by providing advice on technical matters relating to, among other things, space situational awareness, space traffic management and satellite operations;
• Support the Secretaries of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), its Subcommittees and other subsidiary bodies through the provision of technical knowledge, as required. Provide substantive technical contributions to reports and background papers on treaty implementation for submission to COPUOS and its subsidiary bodies;
• Organize and provide substantive support to expert meetings, training courses, technical advisory missions, events to promote signature and ratification of the UN treaties on outer space activities, and other activities relating to space object registration; and maintain a master list of national space object registration focal points. Represent UNOOSA at activities promoting the implementation of the UN treaties on outer space activities; and prepare and deliver presentations on space object registration and other related topics;
• Develop technical training materials on treaty implementation for use by new and emerging spacefaring countries; and proactively engage with those countries on space object registration and treaty implementation in coordination with other capacity-building activities of UNOOSA;
• Serve as UNOOSA's focal point to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on issues relating to the launch and/or re-entry of nuclear-powered space objects or other high-interest space objects under the Joint Radiation Emergency Management Plan of the International Organizations Emergency Preparedness and Response; respond to technical queries from the IAEA Incident and Emergency Centre on space-related issues; and represent UNOOSA at meetings related to the Inter-Agency Committee on Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies (IACRNE);
• Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has knowledge, understanding and experience of theories, concepts and practices relevant to space situational awareness, space traffic management and satellite operations. Has understanding of the work of the United Nations and/or relevant international and regional organizations. Is able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client;
• Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a field relating to space engineering is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in operational activities or research and development in space-related entities or industry is required;
• Work experience in the area of space situational awareness or in designing, operating or utilizing satellites and space systems is required;
• Work experience in organizing capacity-building activities is desirable;
• Work experience preparing technical reports and documents is desirable;
• Work experience providing technical assistance is desirable;
• Work experience in international or national licensing, authorization and registration of space objects is desirable;
• Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

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