Company Description
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries, that works to build better policies for better lives. Our mission is to 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 on establishing evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving 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.
The Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE) helps local and national governments unleash the potential of entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), promote inclusive and sustainable regions and cities, boost local job creation, and implement sound tourism policies. It includes the Secretariat serving the Regional Policy Development Committee (RDPC) and its three Working Parties on Urban Policy, Rural Policy and Territorial Indicators and the Expert Group on Multi-level Governance, the Committee on SMEs and Entrepreneurship (CSMEE), the Tourism Committee and its Working Party on Tourism Statistics, and the Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) Directing Committee. Within the CFE, the Local Employment, Skills and Social Innovation Division (LESI) advises governments on policies and programmes on a range of issues for the LEED Committee.
In CFE, the Division on Cities, Urban Policies and Sustainable Development (CITY) advises governments on policies to enhance economic competitiveness of cities, improve well-being of residents, address urban inequality, and tackle environmental challenges at the local level. It produces evidence, analysis and standards on a range of urban policies and carries out reviews and thematic policy dialogues at metropolitan and national level. CITY serves the Regional Development Policy Committee (RDPC) and its Working Party on Urban Policy (WPURB).
Job Description
CFE/CITY is looking for several experienced, dynamic and motivated economists and policy analysts to contribute to the division’s work, with specific knowledge and expertise on:
- Local environment policy, notably climate change, water and sanitation, blue and circular economy, nature-based solution, energy efficiency, disaster risk reduction and urban green growth; and/or
- Urban economics and development, notably small and mid-sized cities, polycentric urban planning, rural-urban partnerships, local inclusive growth, smart cities and localising the sustainable development goals (SDGs)
The selected candidates will report to one of the Heads of the division’s four Units on: Inclusive Growth in Cities, National Urban Policy and Climate Resilience, Smart and Sustainable Cities or Water Governance, Blue and Circular Economy.
Please indicate in your cover letter your preference for one of the topics listed above.
Main Responsibilities
Research, analysis and drafting
- Design and conduct innovative economic and/or policy research on challenges and opportunities related to urban development at local, national and global scales.
- Analyse international evidence and data to inform policy analysis on the division’s topics in OECD member countries and beyond.
- Apply statistical and data-science knowledge to build databases and conduct empirical analysis as needed.
- Draft and edit high-quality evidence-based assessment and tailored recommendations in substantive policy papers, chapters in reviews or thematic reports, designed for policymakers and the interested audience.
- Prepare other high-quality documents, including blogs, seminar proceedings, and policy messages based on research and relevant published material.
- Organise and summarise complex material in a clear manner for specialist and non-specialist audiences, and develop briefing materials as needed.
- Keep abreast of new research, exploratory work and policies on sustainable urban development, emanating from governments, other international organisations, non-governmental organisations, academia and the private sector.
Project management and fundraising
- Contribute to the management of projects, including ensuring timely delivery of quality outputs.
- Actively support the Head of Unit’s and Division’s fundraising efforts, including drafting project proposals and strengthening networks and engagement with potential donors as required.
- Supervise the work of interns, external and internal consultants, and junior staff as needed.
Co-ordination, representation and liaison
- Support the organisation of the Working Party on Urban Policy and networks of government officials and practitioners, as well as project-related meetings and events, such as seminars, roundtables and workshops, as needed.
- Establish and maintain contacts with high-level representatives in relevant ministries and government agencies, as well as intergovernmental organisations and relevant stakeholders.
- Represent the OECD Secretariat at international conferences and contribute to raising the profile and disseminating CITY and CFE work at local, national and international levels.
- Collaborate with other Divisions and Directorates and contribute to horizontal and multidisciplinary projects and outputs as needed.
Other duties
- Provide general support to the activities of the Division as required.
- Carry out other tasks as assigned, in particular as requested by the Head of Division and the Director’s office.
Qualifications
Ideal Candidate Profile
Academic Background
- An advanced university degree in a relevant area such as economics, urban/regional development/planning, environmental policy, or geography. A PhD would be an advantage.
Professional Background
- A minimum of three, but preferably at least five years of professional experience, acquired in an international organisation, a national or subnational government, or in a university or related research institution.
- Good knowledge of the OECD’s substantive work, especially in urban-related fields.
- Excellent policy research and analytical skills proven by prior substantive contributions.
- Solid experience in the production and use of statistics and quantitative analysis.
- Proven ability to draft analytical and policy-relevant reports and papers.
- Proven experience in dealing with stakeholders including representatives of local or national governments.
- Ability to make and deliver effective presentations to policymakers, expert and non-expert audiences.
Tools
- Strong knowledge of MS Office.
- Good working knowledge of statistical and data analysis software (e.g., R, Python, Stata) and other tools such as geographical information system (e.g. QGis) would be an asset.
Core Competencies
- OECD staff are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring processes: Vision and Strategy (Level 2); Enable People (Level 1); Ethics and Integrity (Level 2); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 2); Achieve Results (Level 2); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 2).
- There are three possible levels for each competency. The level for each competency is determined according to the specific needs of each job role and its associated grade.
- To learn more about the definitions for each competency for levels 1-3, please refer to OECD Core Competencies.
Languages
- Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and knowledge of the other, with a commitment to reach a good working level.
- Knowledge of additional languages, notably Spanish and Portuguese, would be an asset.
Additional Information
Closing Date:
- This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than midnight 21-March-2023. (CET).
Contract Duration
- One-year fixed term appointment, with the possibility of renewal.
- Depending on level of experience, monthly salary starts at either 6 665EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
- Click here to learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.
- Click here to browse our People Management Guidebook and learn more about all aspects relating to people at the OECD, our workplace environment and many other policies supporting staff in their daily life.
Salary Information(Link – Internal Only)
- Please note that the appointment may be made at one grade lower in the specified job family, based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.(Internal and external)
Selection Process
For retained candidates, tests are foreseen in March/April and panel interviews are planned for April/May.
The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of 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.
The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.
