Earth Observation Investment Programme Project Manager

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 £16.5 billion and employs 47,000 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: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency

To discover more please watch this film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZZ-o0IkVU

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.

TheEarth Observation Investment Programme (EOIP) Project Managersits within Earth Observation and Climate Team in the Earth Observation, Low Earth Orbit, and Space Security and Resilience (EO, LEO & SSR) directorate.

Earth observation (EO) science is fundamental to humanity’s understanding of our planet, its climate and natural processes. EO capabilities enable a wide range of public services, including meteorology, Earth imagery, climate monitoring, environmental management & agriculture, urban planning, and intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance. These services are all underpinned by the instruments and technologies which enable satellites to gather data, which can take decades to design, build and mature.

In recognition of its strategic importance, Earth observation has been named in the 2022-2025 UK Space Agency's Corporate Plan as one of the UK Space Agency's eight Priorities. The 2021 National Space Strategy pledges that we ‘will strive to remain at the forefront of Earth observation technology and know-how’.

The UK has a vibrant landscape of world leading EO academic and industrial organisations and a well-founded reputation for excellence in EO. For example, in climate science, leading UK research institutions have been measuring Sea and Land Surface Temperature from space for over three decades (Oxford University, RAL Space, Reading University and Leicester University); this data is used by meteorological agencies around the world to improve weather forecast accuracy – helping to save lives, infrastructure and crops.

Earth Observation Investment Programme announced in 2022 forms a package of up to £200m funding to invest in the UK Earth Observation sector to protect the future of UK talent and industry in Earth Observation. The funding is spread across 17 projects delivered through the following government partner organisations:

• £137.6m UK Space Agency (UKSA)
• £19.3m Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
• £14.7m Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
• £11.7m Met Office
• £4.2m Innovate UK

The successful candidate will be the Agency and wider EO sector’s point of contact for EOIP in its final year of delivery. The project management is being handed over from DSIT and so will require close management oversight working across internal and external stakeholders. This is an exciting opportunity to grow skills in transition and change management and to lead the final stages of delivery oversight on a stretching programme.

This role entails:

Monthly Working Group: Conducting a monthly working group to bring together project leads. Agenda items to include updates, inter dependencies mapping, communications planning, and risk management.

• Relationship Management: Managing relationships with project leads for all projects outside UK Space Agency. Overseeing the interactions of the EO team with Partner Organisation Project Leads, providing support for ad-hoc requests, issues, and during reporting and M&E requirements.
• Working closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation lead to ensure projects are set up to report on core KPIs, outcomes and benefits ahead of close out.
• Ad-Hoc Management: Collaborating with project leads to develop proposals for resolving ad-hoc management issues (e.g., reprofiling, MoU changes, VAT issues).
• Reporting and Communications: Reporting progress and escalating proposals or issues to the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) and reporting through UK Space Agency’s regular reporting channels. Updating the xWH EO Board twice a year. Reporting project risks and finances to the SRO twice a year.
• The post holder will likely have the opportunity to support the wider Earth Observation and Climate Team on other activities as the work progresses and priorities develop.