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Working at ESO
Are you interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment? Do you feel your profile matches our requirements? Learn more about our current vacancies and apply online. Read more..
The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.
ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.
At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory, and will host and operate the southern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the world's largest and most sensitive high energy gamma-ray observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA, and on Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.
The ELT Assembly, Integration, and Verification (AIV) Phase has been ongoing for several years, led by a team of engineers under the AIV Manager and Deputy. This phase evolves in parallel with the design and manufacturing developments of the Telescope subsystems, as well as the Dome and Main Structure. The on-site AIV phase began in 2021 with the arrival of the first components in Chile, alongside the implementation and execution of the M1 segment coating process at the ELT technical facility.
To meet the growing resource demands of the ELT AIV Phase within the ELT programme, specifically for the AIV On-site Project Office under the Directorate of Programmes, ESO is advertising an Intrenational Staff position of:
In close collaboration with the ELT AIV Manager and relevant project office departments (e.g., PPCO), the selected candidate will undertake the following responsibilities:
- Collaborate closely with the AIV Management and project teams to ensure the timely completion of project deliverables
- Support AIV Management and project teams in driving the project to successful completion.
- Develop, monitor, and update detailed project schedule blocks for all tasks within the ELT AIV schedule, adhering to standard coding practices and existing work breakdown structures (WBS).
- Consolidate various schedule blocks into a single, comprehensive ELT AIV plan.
- Set up systems and tools required for the ELT AIV team, in coordination with the Program Planning and Control Office.
- Work closely with ELT AIV staff to gather and validate necessary scheduling information.
- Perform schedule control through critical path reviews, planned value analysis, earned value management, schedule variance assessment, and recommend corrective actions to the AIV Manager and Deputy as necessary.
- Prepare regular reports for the ELT AIV Manager, providing updates on schedule status, delivery progress, and other key metrics.
- Initiate and maintain weekly reports using a standardized format, focusing on programmatic aspects and delivering defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in coordination with the ELT AIV Manager and Deputy.
Reports to:
The Project Planner will report directly to the ELT AIV Manager and his Deputy
Experience:
Minimum 4 years of professional experience as a Project Planner, preferably with on-site experience in large-scale construction projects, preferably full EPC projects. (e.g. Renewable Energy, Mining Industry)
Key Competences and Qualifications:
- Good knowledge and experience of large infrastructure or construction projects.
- Solid understanding of project management methodologies.
- Strong expertise in project planning tools and techniques (e.g., Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, Open Plan)
- Some basic familiarity with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) is an advantage
- Proven ability to plan activities, monitor execution schedules, and track physical progress throughout a project lifecycle.
- Creating, maintaining and reviewing a program of work, updating it flexibly when timescales change.
- Estimating resources needed for project tasks and including these in the work plan.
- Producing progress reports and forecasts for team members, project management and stakeholders.
- Working constructively with contractors and suppliers.
- Ability to engage effectively with engineers, technicians and project management in multi-disciplinary teams.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
Educational Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related field.
Language skills:
- Advanced proficiency in English, both written and oral, is required.
- Proficiency in Spanish, both written and oral, is highly desirable.
Remuneration and Contract:
We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (tax free for ESO member states), comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family.
Our Salary Structure
ESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our jobs. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience.
Please follow this attached link for more details https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/salary-structure/
ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#work-life-balance) between their professional and private life. ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#family-friendly-support), creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families.
This position is part of the time-limited ELT- AIV phase of the ELT project, which is expected to have a duration of six years. The initial contract is for a period of three years which may be extended, subject to individual performance and organisational requirements and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations. Whilst redeployment to other roles after the ELT-AIV phase might be possible according to operational needs and qualification, there is limited possibility of indefinite employment after the ELT-AIV phase has been completed. The title or grade may be subject to change according to qualification and the number of years of experience.
For any further information, please visit ESO's conditions of employment. Please note that the contract policy and in particular the regulations concerning fixed-term and indefinite contracts are currently under review which may lead to changes in the contractual conditions applicable to this position.
Duty Station:
Paranal-Armazones Observatory located 120 km south of the city of Antofagasta, Chile. The working schedule will be 5 days on duty and 2 days off duty (5x2) with accommodation provided on site. Place of residence shall be Antofagasta.
Career Path: V
Application:
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for further details. Applicants are invited to apply online at http://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV. Please additionally provide the contact information (email and phone number) of two professional references in your application who should be able to comment on your work, and who may be consulted as part of this hiring process. You will be informed beforehand in this case.
Deadline for applications is 25 April 2025.
Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.
This position offers an opportunity to contribute to the successful delivery of a groundbreaking project within a dynamic and collaborative environment.
ESO Values
An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.
The ESO values are:
ESO strives for excellence through innovation.
ESO provides outstanding services to its communities.
ESO fosters diversity & inclusion.
ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.
Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication.
Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.
Diversity
ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Please visit https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/sustainability/dei-at-eso/ for further details.
Nationality
No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.