Company Description

The OECD

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries, whose mission is to build better policies for better lives. We promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work to establish evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a broad range of social, economic and environmental challenges, from the improvement of economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion. We provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.

Global Relations and Co-operation Directorate

The Global Relations and Co-operation (GRC) Directorate supports the implementation of the OECD’s Global Relations Strategy by co-ordinating the Organisation’s relations with partner countries and regions as well as international organisations. It advises the Secretary-General and other OECD Directorates on how to manage and strengthen, as appropriate, co-operation with key partner countries, regions, and organisations as well as fora. GRC also serves the OECD External Relations Committee, working with members to help them reach consensus on global relations priorities and ensuring that relevant partners are effectively engaged in the Organisation’s work. The Directorate implements the priorities of the Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) set by Member Countries and the Secretary-General in its area of business.

The Position

GRC is looking for a dynamic and visionary Senior Advisor to support the GRC Director and OECD Sherpa and the Deputy Director for Global Relations and Co-operation in providing intellectual leadership and strategic direction to GRC’s management team, with a view to maximising the global impact of OECD work across the board of policy areas covered by the Organisation. As a key member of the senior management team of the Directorate as well as of the Organisation, s/he will be required to contribute to implementing GRC’s Programme of Work and Budget and advancing the Strategic Orientations of the Secretary-General in the field of global relations. S/he will work closely with the Director, the Deputy Director for Global Relations and Co-operation and the other members of the senior management team in GRC, providing guidance and support to the Directorate’s work in the co-ordination and management of the Programme of Work as well as to the External Relations Committee. She/he will also display the necessary diplomatic skills to liaise with the leadership team of the Organisation across directorates, as well as senior officials from member and partner countries.

Job Description

Main Responsibilities

Leadership

• Support the implementation of the Organisation’s Programme of Work and Budget and the advancement of the Strategic Orientations of the Secretary-General, as they relate to global relations.
• Assist the Director and the Deputy Director for Global Relations and Co-operation with the planning, orientation, oversight and control of the Directorate’s activities and advice on issues of substance and management. Keep the Directorate at the forefront of the rapidly changing international context and help the OECD’s senior leadership and its members best address the challenges it raises. 
• Assist the Director and the Deputy Director for Global Relations and Co-operation in coordinating the Organisation’s engagement with Key Partners, accession candidates and other partner countries and regions, through Regional and Country Programmes as well other country-specific approaches, in line with the Organisation’s Global Relations Strategy.
• Contribute to the work of the External Relations Committee and promote dialogue, consensus-building and productive exchanges among OECD Members as well as between Members and partner countries.
• Assist OECD Directorates in further developing the strategic relationships with Indo-Pacific and Africa, while also supporting GRC’s management team in ever enhancing the regional profile of OECD work with Southeast Asia, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, MENA and Southeast Europe.

Representation and Liaison

• Promote collaboration with and support to other Directorates as they engage with partner countries and regions and oversee the relations pertaining to global relations of the Secretariat with the External Relations Committee and permanent delegations.
• Build collaborative working relationships with partner countries as well as other international organisations and fora.
• Help the Director and the Deputy Director for Global Relations and Co-operation in the communication management, to ensure effective engagement with stakeholders, the media and the public to maximise the value, visibility and impact of the OECD’s global reach.
• Represent the OECD at high-level meetings and conferences involving senior policy makers and representatives of business, labour, academia, NGOs and the media. Lead high-level missions to OECD and non-OECD economies.
• Establish and maintain high-level close contacts with Foreign Affairs Ministerial offices and Ministries in Member and Partner countries, other international organizations, sub-national authorities, the private sector, academia, research institutes and the media.
• Replace the Director and the Deputy Director for Global Relations and Co-operation in their absence.

Management and Co-ordination

• Ensure effective co-ordination, collaboration and co-operation across the Organisation including with the Office of the Secretary-General and policy directorates to support and contribute to flagship corporate initiatives and horizontal projects.
• Ensure coherence of OECD work with partner countries and regions, with Key Partners, Country Programmes and Accession Candidates.
• Contribute to the overall management and administration of the Directorate, as well as the development and execution of the Programme of Work and Budget notably through providing strategic support to the Divisions for the implementation of their main deliverables. Ensure the delivery of relevant rigorous and timely information, analysis and advice.
• Work with the External Relations Committee and Council to process the accession of countries invited to apply for membership of the OECD.
• Support the Director and the Deputy Director for Global Relations and Co-operation in building a cohesive, multicultural and multidisciplinary team, promoting excellence, inclusion and diversity through selection, effective performance management and the professional development of staff.
• Adhere to and promote the highest professional standards and the ethical principles of the OECD’s Code of Conduct in all internal and external matters.
• Assist in mobilising and securing voluntary funding from a variety of sources to support all the main policy areas of the Directorate’s work.
• Exercise critical oversight to ensure the optimal use of resources and the maintenance of high-quality standards. Supervise and work closely with GRC staff to ensure the timely provision of accurate briefing material to the Secretary General, Deputy Secretary Generals, and GRC Director.
• Take leadership in carrying-out and reviewing corporate reporting, while also overseeing outputs to Members within the ERC framework and beyond.
• Support GRC’s Senior Management team in enhancing the Directorate’s policy profile and the skillset of the Divisions, notably with a view to strengthen support to OECD horizontal priorities.
• Foster co-operation with other Directorates to address crosscutting substantive and management issues and achieve internal co-ordination, cohesion and optimal results.
• Collaborate with corporate management reforms and initiatives.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic and Professional Background

• Advanced university degree in economics, public policy, or international law, with a particular emphasis on international economic relations or development policy.
• Extensive senior advisory experience (10+ years) in a national government or international organisation, particularly in advising senior leadership on global relations strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to advise on policy issues informing the relationship between emerging economies (e.g., China, India) and OECD countries, as well as experience managing relations with non-OECD countries.
• Proven success in strategic planning and policy development, particularly related to regional partnerships (e.g., Indo-Pacific, Latin America, Africa).
• Extensive experience leading country-specific programmes and coordinating cross-directorate collaboration to enhance OECD’s regional work.
• Experience engaging in external relations with foreign ministries, international organisations, and regional bodies, while also advising on country accession processes to the OECD.

Communication and Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and a knowledge of, or a willingness to learn, the other.
• Knowledge of other languages would be an asset.

Core Competencies

• Staff in Executive Leadership are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring processes at level 3: Vision and Strategy; Enable People; Ethics and Integrity; Collaboration and Horizontality; Achieve Results; Innovate and Embrace Change.
• To learn more about the definitions for each competency, please refer to the OECD Core Competency Framework.   

Closing Date

This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than midnight 1 January 2025 (Paris time).

Contract Duration

Three-year fixed term appointment, with the possibility of renewal.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly base salary starting from 12,110 EUR plus allowances, based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
• Learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.
• Browse our People Management Guidebook to learn more about all aspects relating to people at the OECD, our workplace environment and on policies supporting staff in their daily life.
• Please note that the appointment may be made at a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

Process

All applications are screened based on the criteria for the position. For candidates who are screened-in, written tests, and panel interviews are planned for January 2025. A leadership assessment will also be requested by candidates in the final selection stage.

Additional Information

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates who are nationals of OECD Member Countries, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities. Our selection processes are merit-based; we strive to enhance diversity both from national and gender perspectives while running fair, transparent and competitive selection processes.

The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.

Please note that our Rules and Regulations stipulate that the mandatory retirement age is 67.