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 Directorate for Public Governance (GOV) works to help governments at all levels design and implement strategic, evidence-based and innovative policies to strengthen public governance, respond effectively to diverse and disruptive economic, social and environmental challenges and deliver on governments’ commitments to citizens. We provide a forum for policy dialogue and exchange, common standards and principles, comparative international data and analysis to support innovation and reform across the OECD. It supports countries to promote good governance and democracy through more strategic, agile and action-oriented public sectors that improve the functioning of national economies and support growth. It achieves these objectives by working to help governments at all levels design and implement strategic, evidence-based and innovative policies to strengthen public governance, trust in government and democracy, respond effectively to diverse and disruptive economic, social and environmental challenges and deliver on government’s commitments to citizens.

Within GOV, the Innovative, Digital and Open Government Division (INDIGO) focuses on advancing people-centered government and public services. It is composed of three units, the Digital Government Unit, the Government Innovation Unit and the Open Governance Unit. The Open Governance Unit (OGU) supports governments in empowering citizens and advancing the public interest by enhancing participation, representation, transparency, and accountability in decision-making and by protecting and promoting civic space. The Unit is structured around four thematic clusters:

• The cluster on citizen participation supports governments in member and partner countries in promoting participatory policymaking and deliberative processes. The team provides analytical and advisory services to governments at all levels. In 2022, it published the “OECD Guidelines for Citizen Participation Processes” and the Report Catching the Deliberative Wave in 2020. Current priorities focus on fostering the use of emerging technologies, and digital tools for more meaningful citizen participation.
• The cluster on open government policies supports member and non-member countries in the design, implementation and measurement of government strategies and initiatives. In 2023, it published the flagship report “Open Government for Stronger Democracies”. Current priorities include promoting open government reforms in sectors (climate, justice) and at subnational level (cities in particular).
• The cluster on civic space hosts the OECD Observatory of Civic Space which promotes the protection of civic freedoms and rights and supports member and non-member countries in this endeavour. In 2022 the Observatory published a flagship report: “The Protection and Promotion of Civic Space: Strengthening Alignment with International Standards and Guidance”. Current priorities include fostering civic space online and furthering digital rights.
• The cluster on government communications and government transparency supports governments in professionalising the public communications function and in communicating government priorities (climate change). It also supports countries in creating a suitable information ecosystem, including by enhancing access to information. In 2021, the OECD published the OECD Report on Public Communication: The Global Context and the Way Forward. Current priorities include fostering the role of communications to address mis- and disinformation.

The Open Governance Unit is looking for experienced and motivated Policy Analysts to contribute to the work of one or more of these clusters. Tasks may include coordinating clusters' agenda, managing projects, drafting and coordinating analytical reports and policy reviews, overseeing project budgets, managing staff and external experts, providing advice to division management, fundraising, as well as conducting outreach and representation.

The incumbent(s) will report to the Head of the Open Governance Unit.

Job Description

Main Responsibilities

Programme management, co-ordination and development

• Ensure the effective delivery of the cluster’s programme of work and ensure that projects and outputs are of high quality, timely, relevant and contribute to the Organisation's overall programme of work and strategic priorities.
• Design and support efforts for increasing the impact on Member and non-Member countries' open governance policies.
• Assist in supervising, motivating and contributing to the professional development of staff within the framework of the employment policy of the Organisation.
• Oversee and manage the work of staff and consultants.
• Contribute to resource mobilisation on open governance topics with potential project partners and donors.

Research, analysis and drafting 

• Undertake analytic research and take a leading role in the drafting of country reviews and international reports in both member and non-member countries.
• Formulate policy recommendations, taking into account country context, good practices and comparative evidence from OECD member and non-member countries.
• Draft clear and concise contributions to reports for consideration by OECD committees as well as policy briefs and other communications aimed at policy-makers and other audiences.
• Lead data collection efforts and the analysis of survey responses.

Outreach, representation and dissemination

• Prepare and actively participate in missions, international workshops and capacity-building activities in Member and non-member countries.
• Develop and maintain contacts with officials in national administrations, other international organisations and country delegations with the aim of building relevant networks.
• Actively engage in the dissemination of policy recommendations through a variety of channels and supports, targeting the audiences that will promote maximum impact.
• Contribute to briefing material and speeches for GOV and OECD leadership on the OECD work on open governance topics.
• Collaborate within the Organisation on multi-disciplinary horizontal work relevant to the work on open governance.

Give presentations and represent the OECD at internal or external events, seminars and meetings, as required.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• An advanced university degree in international relations, public policy/administration, law, political science, communication or a related field.

Professional Background

• A minimum of five years of professional experience – ideally within a government administration, an international organisation, civil society organisations, consultancy firm or an academic institution – dealing with public governance and open governance issues (citizen participation / engagement; digital democracy; open government data; civic freedoms and rights; access to information; etc.) and an understanding of their political implications.
• Proven skills in leading technical teams and projects, and coordinating a specific policy cluster. Proven ability in leading the drafting of multiple clear, concise and reader-friendly policy-relevant publications for a variety of target audiences.
• Experience in people management.
• Demonstrated ability to raise funds.
• Knowledge of contemporary trends and issues in the field of citizen participation would be an advantage.

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.

Additional Information

Closing date:

• This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than midnight 7 July 2024.

Contract duration

• 13-month- fixed term appointment, with the possibility of renewal subject to funding.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly salary starts at 7,738.74 EUR, 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

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

Selection process

For retained candidates, written tests and video-recorded interviews are foreseen in August 2024, and the panel interviews are planned for late September 2024.

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.