Management

The Secretariat is organised as a matrix involving four departments.

The Management Board, composed of the Director-General and the four department directors, is the highest level management structure at organisation level.

The four departments capture all scientific, technical, administrative and managerial expertise required to deliver the programmes and activities approved by Council.

The Operations and Services to users (OPS) department exploits all EUMETSAT operational satellite systems, delivers data, product and support services to users, including training, and plans new services in response to their needs.

The Programme preparation and Development (PRD) department prepares new programmes and creates the conditions for their approval by the Council. It manages the design, development and validation (phases 0/A to E1) of new operational satellite systems until their hand-over to operations.

Organised by competence, the Technical and Scientific Support (TSS) department provides technical, scientific and management support to the development and operations of EUMETSAT satellite systems, and provides process and quality assurance support to the full Secretariat.

The Administration (ADM) department administers the financial and human resources and the regulatory framework for the Secretariat’s activities. It delivers legal, financial, and procurement processes and internal support services, including management of the headquarters infrastructure.

The Strategy, Communication and International Relations Division (SCIR) provides advice on EUMETSAT policy, strategy and on relations with non-Member States and international organisations, and delivers internal and external communications services in support of the implementation of the strategy. The Chief Scientist provides guidance on all scientific aspects of strategic relevance to EUMETSAT, with emphasis on prospective activities, international partnerships and internal assessment.

The Quality Management Unit provides the Director-General and the Management Board with an independent assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of the Secretariat’s management system processes and of the management of associated risks and proposes related improvements.

The following EUMETSAT Quality Policy reflects the commitment to continual improvement and applies to the design and the effective and efficient operations of all processes at the Secretariat:

• Monitor and control all key processes by setting up and maintaining the EMS conforming to the requirements of ISO 9001:2015.
• Ensure that the needs and expectations of the users of products, data and services delivered by EUMETSAT are known and understood through appropriate mechanism.
• Meet agreed user needs and expectations by ensuring that the most appropriate processes, resources and infrastructure are in place and secured;
• Ensure that the Secretariat and the EMS operate in compliance with applicable requirements, including identification and processing of non-conformities, and with maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ensure and that the EMS continues to meet the organisation’s needs, by regularly evaluating data generated in the operation of the EMS and from other sources, and establishing Internal Quality Audits based on risks;
• Strive for continual improvement of the EMS by implementing improvements identified by systematically evaluating performance and other data or by considering proposals for improvement made by individuals.