Company Description

THE OECD – Who we are, what we do

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.

The International Energy Agency

The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an intergovernmental organisation committed to advancing security of energy supply, economic growth and environmental sustainability through energy policy co-operation.  The IEA operates as an autonomous body within the framework of the OECD. Both the IEA and the OECD seek opportunities to work with an increasing number of non-member countries of growing importance to the world economy. The Agency aims to foster the contribution of the energy sector to economic development and environmental sustainability across the globe.

Job Description

THE POSITION

The IEA are seeking a Head for the Energy Security and Critical Minerals Division. His/her main responsibility will be to manage the Agency’s programme of work on emergency preparedness and on policies for critical minerals security of member and non-member countries of the IEA. This is the core energy policy mission of the IEA, which has been extended beyond oil to include supply security of natural gas, electricity and energy-related critical minerals.  The selected candidate will possess a broad knowledge and understanding of all energy security issues.

In this role, the selected candidate will have line management responsibility for both the programme of work and budget for the Division, as well as for a team of enthusiastic professionals working on resilience and emergency response planning. The selected candidate will also develop the Division’s work programme to support wider Agency priorities in close collaboration with other senior colleagues across the Directorate and Agency. S/he will work under the general supervision of the Director of Energy Markets and Security (EMS).

Main Responsibilities

Leadership

• Lead the strategic design and implementation of the work programme on energy security policy,  emergency response planning and policy for ensuring supply security of traditional energy sources as well as energy-related critical minerals. Contribute to the IEA’s discussion on all aspects of energy security and take the lead in issues related to emergency preparedness.
• Manage a highly qualified, enthusiastic, multicultural team of energy analysts and be accountable for the quality, timeliness and relevance of the Division’s outputs. Contribute personally to these outputs through intellectual leadership, coaching and staff development, as well as by winning and managing resources to support the Division’s work. Build a collegial and productive working atmosphere.
• Organise and support meetings of the Standing Group on Emergency Questions (SEQ), co-ordinating preparations with the Chair of the SEQ and the Industry Advisory Board (IAB). Accept accountability for their smooth organisation, preparation of high quality papers, and facilitating dialogue, consensus building and a productive exchange of views among delegates.
• Oversee the support for work as Secretariat for the IEA’s Working Party on Critical Minerals under the Standing Group on Long Term Co-operation (SLT Committee), including supervision of the preparation of the documents in conjunction with other offices throughout the Agency.
• Manage the core outputs of the Division to ensure their timely delivery and coherence with other outputs of the Agency, including the production of quality publications and relevant input to IEA products managed by others.

Co-ordination, liaison, representation, dissemination

• Monitor the state of emergency preparedness in energy and critical minerals of member countries and co-operate with IEA candidate and non-member countries in emergency response preparations. Manage and lead the programme of reviews of emergency response policies concerning oil and other energy sources and policies for ensuring supply security of energy related critical minerals for member and non-member countries.
• Ensure the timely provision of information and analysis on the supply security of oil/energy/critical minerals and geopolitical situations affecting energy supply security to IEA management and appropriate committees, including the IEA Governing Board.
• Work closely with the divisions responsible for market analysis and outlooks in related areas, e.g. the Oil Markets and Industry Division for oil, the Gas, Coal and Power Division for gas, and the Office of the Chief Energy Economist for critical minerals.
• Maintain close relations with IEA member countries and provide timely and high-quality briefing materials for the IEA Executive Director and other senior managers.
• Develop and maintain close relations at senior level with government, the private sector, international and regional multilateral organisations, and research institutions. Expand dialogue between member and non-member countries. Identify opportunities for collaborative projects around the IEA and different energy stakeholders(e.g. non-member countries, the private sector, industry associations, etc).
• Co-ordinate IEA's activities with the Industry Advisory Board (IAB) and represent the Secretariat at their meetings. Make presentations to other bodies outside of the OECD, especially national emergency organisations and stockholding agencies.
• Build collaborative and collegial working relationships with people inside and outside the Agency on cross-cutting projects, publications, policy reviews and conferences.

Analysis, advice and drafting

• Supervise design and improvement of mechanisms to safeguard energy security, including enhanced market monitoring, information sharing, emergency response systems and strategies concerning oil and other energy sources/energy-related critical minerals of the IEA and its member countries, managing their timely and effective implementation in actual supply disruptions.
• Lead the preparation of policy, analytical and other papers to be presented to the IEA's Standing Committees, in particular the Standing Group on Emergency Questions (SEQ), Working Party on Critical Minerals under the Standing Group on Long-term Cooperation (SLT) and the IEA Governing Board.
• Develop strategies to further strengthen resiliency and emergency response competence of the IEA in energy sources and relevant critical minerals.
• Contribute to the development of the IEA’s key messages - in relation to oil supply disruptions, policies for ensuring resilience of supply in energy and critical minerals -  and communications strategies with key stakeholders, the media and the general public, in order to maximize the value, visibility and impact of the Division’s work.

Qualifications

Academic and Professional Background

• Advanced university degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline (e.g. economics, political science, engineering, etc).
• At least ten to fifteen years' experience in the energy sector, including a very good understanding of energy and critical mineral policy, as well as the operation of the international oil market.
• At least 5 years of management experience, preferably in a multicultural environment
• Considerable knowledge and experience of the political and economic aspects of energy security.
• A demonstrated ability to direct and co-ordinate emergency response work and to establish and maintain professional contacts within and outside the Agency, in particular with senior people in government and the oil industry; ability to react quickly and to manage emergency situations no matter the time of day, 365 days a year.
• Proven ability to analyse complex national and international policy issues related to energy and critical mineral security and to prepare persuasive analytical papers and recommendations for action or discussion at Ministerial-level meetings and other bodies.

Communication and Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English & French) and a knowledge of, or a willingness to learn, the other.
• Knowledge of other languages 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 3); Enable People (Level 3); Ethics and Integrity (Level 3); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 3); Achieve Results (Level 3); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 3).
• 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.

Additional Information

Contract Duration

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

Please note that our Rules and Regulations stipulate that the mandatory retirement age is 65.  

What the OECD offers

• Monthly base salary starting from €11 734 plus allowances, based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.

Process

All applications are screened based on the criteria for the position.  For candidates who are screened-in, written tests and/or video-recorded interviews are foreseen 8-19 November 2023, and panel interviews are planned for 11-12 December 2023. A leadership assessment will also be requested by candidates in the final selection stage.

This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than midnight CEST 30 October 2023.

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.

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.