Outreach Officer

The ESO Education and Public Outreach Department (ePOD) is responsible for providing information about ESO's activities, with the mission of increasing the awareness of ESO and astronomy among the public in the Member States, Chile and beyond. With this purpose, ESO ePOD manages and performs public astronomy communication activities aimed at various target groups, including the media, the public, educators, the ESO user community, industrial partners and decision-makers. The department is strong in the production of astronomical images, exhibitions, high-impact video material and powerful outreach projects. Moreover, ePOD offers the media a top-quality service of visits to all the ESO Observatories in Chile. These activities make ESO an exciting global centre for astronomy outreach and education. ePOD is based partly at the ESO Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany, and partly in Santiago, Chile.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

In support of ePOD's general mission, the Outreach Officer will actively contribute to all the core activities in Chile, with special emphasis in attending media visits at the observatories and the coordination of events and exhibitions in Chile. The selected candidate should seek opportunities to increase ESO's visibility in Chile and to establish strategic alliances with outreach organisations, in close cooperation with the ESO Representative in Chile.

This will involve:

• Host media visits at the Paranal, La Silla and ALMA observatories.
• Coordinate, and produce materials for ESO's exhibitions and events in Chile, in collaboration with ePOD Garching.
• Maintain existing ESO itinerant and permanent exhibitions in Chile, including the visitor centres at Paranal and La Silla observatories, as well as ensuring the ESO brand's visibility.
• Promote partnerships with outreach organisations, such as science centres, planetariums and museums in Chile.
• Promote good relations with local and national communities with emphasis on the Antofagasta Region.
• Support the ESO Representative in Chile with outreach requests from local or international authorities, the science community and universities.
• Support the Press Officer and the Community Coordinator in the promotion of ESO image through social media, with special emphasis on the public visits to the ESO observatories.
• Produce some core content such as instrument web pages, etc.
• Handle the Chilean press clippings, as well as making sure that photos and videos are received from the media visitors (when applicable).

Experience:

A suitable candidate could be either be a scientist who has moved into a communication environment, or a communicator who has specialised in science.

• Minimum five years of experience in communicating astronomy (or a related field), to the public, in a scientific outreach, news or marketing environment;

• Knowledge of, and interest in, science and astronomy
• Experience producing written science communication in English and in particular experience with communicating astronomy or other physical sciences to the public.
• Some insight into the workings of the Chilean science community.

Experience required for the position: The following skills would be an asset:

• Ability to work within the department both in a team and independently, following departmental procedures and workflows.
• Proactivity, good motivation, creativity, ability to identify necessary improvements, good organisational skills and result-oriented attitude.
• Ability to deliver prompt and efficient service on multiple concurrent projects under tight deadlines.
• Ability to provide clear, concise and timely written and oral communications for different audiences.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in an international environment, interacting and collaborating with people from different countries and cultures.
• Strong MS Office applications skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Qualifications:

University degree either in science communication/science journalism, or in astronomy/astrophysics or a related field.

Language Skills:

The position requires a very good command of written and spoken English and Spanish.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family.

The initial contract is for a period of two years with the possibility of an indefinite extension, subject to evaluation. The title or grade may be subject to change according to qualification and the number of years of experience.

Duty Station:

ESO Vitacura, Santiago, Chile, with regular visits to the ESO Observatories in northern Chile as well as occasional visits to the ESO Headquarters in Germany.

Career Path: IV

Application:

If you are interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit (<http://www.eso.org>) for further details.

Applicants are invited to apply online at <https://jobs.eso.org/>. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV.

Closing date for applications is 9 March 2017.

No nationality is in principle excluded, however applicants, Chilean or of foreign nationality, must have the pertinent working permit, according to Chilean regulations.

The post is equally open to suitably qualified female and male applicants.