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. 

Directorate for Legal Affairs

The Directorate for Legal Affairs (LEG) provides advice and information on the legal, institutional and procedural aspects of the Organisation’s activities and also serves as co-ordinator of the discussions with candidate countries for OECD membership. The Directorate comprises two main sections: the General Legal Affairs Division is responsible for internal legal matters of the Organisation, providing advice on issues such as staff employment, the Organisation’s governance, budgetary and financial matters and dispute settlement. The International Law and Accession Division is responsible for substantive and external legal matters concerning the Organisation, providing advice on external relations, accession matters and other areas of OECD policy activities involving legal standards, including its work on anti-bribery.

LEG is looking for a dynamic and highly qualified Deputy Director to provide leadership and strategic direction to the Directorate for Legal Affairs. As a key member of the Senior Management team of the Organisation, s/he will support the Legal Director in delivering strategic legal leadership for the Organisation, ensuring sound governance and alignment with the OECD legal framework, providing high level legal advice across multiple domains, and representing the Directorate and the OECD in key internal and external fora.

The breadth and the complexity of the policy issues for which LEG is responsible requires an experienced senior executive with an excellent understanding of legal, institutional and procedural issues, political processes and effective institutional settings. S/he thrives in a fast paced, multidisciplinary work environment, is an innovative strategic thinker with political sensitivity. S/he is a persuasive communicator with a proven ability to influence a wide range of stakeholders. The Directorate for Legal Affairs (LEG) provides legal advice and information on institutional and procedural aspects of the OECD’s activities, and coordinates discussions with candidate countries for OECD membership.

Job Description

Leadership

• Assist the Director 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 policy discussion and research in all the aspects of OECD legal framework.
• Support the advancement and delivery of strategic outcomes in the area of legal, institutional and procedural field through enhanced engagement and horizontal work including timely and high quality legal assistance across all relevant areas: public international law and interactions with member and non-member countries and other international organisations and entities, staff matters, financial and budgetary matters, procurement, grants, cooperation arrangements, privileges and immunities, personal data protection, intellectual property, and dispute settlement.
• Ensure the Directorate is at the forefront of international thinking and research on legal, institutional and procedural aspects, in line with current developments, and shaping the Organisation’s global contribution.
• Support the Office of the Secretary-Generalon the Organisation’s work in the area of law, institution and procedure.

Representation and Liaison

• Represent the Directorate and the Organisation at internal and external meetings, establishing close contacts and active collaboration with a wide range of colleagues, stakeholders and partners to achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
• Establish and maintain a network of relationships with other international organisations, national authorities, academia and research institutes.
• Actively contribute to the development, promotion and implementation of enhanced engagement with key partners and other non-member economies and “horizontal” (multidisciplinary) work.  
• Replace the Director in his/her absence.

Management and Co-ordination

• Actively manage the Directorate’s human capital, through merit-based recruitment processes, professional development and performance management of its staff.
• Ensure optimal use of resources, skills and knowledge in support of the Directorate’s business needs.
• Build and lead a cohesive, multicultural and multidisciplinary team, promoting excellence, inclusion and diversity.
• 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.
• 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. Ensure a caring environment where managers promote, respect and support staff in developing their full potential.

Qualifications

Academic and Professional Background

• An advanced university degree in law.
• At least 10 years’ experience in:
  • legal affairs at a progressively senior level in an international context, preferably within one or more international organisations.
  • drafting and presenting complex legal advice, ideally across multiple areas of legal practice of relevance to the work of the OECD Legal Directorate, including public international law and the law of international organisations.
• Excellent knowledge of current national and international policy challenges of interest to OECD work.
• Proven record of conducting relations at senior level and within a political decision-making environment. Well-established contacts with key players and stakeholders in the relevant international communities.
• Experience of representation before dispute settlement bodies would be an asset. 

Communication and Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and 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 process 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.   

Additional Information

Closing Date

• This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than 23:59 on 3 May 2026 (CEST).

Contract duration 

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

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

What the OECD offers 

• Monthly base salary starting from 14 280 EUR plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.

Selection 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 in April 2026, and panel interviews are planned for June 2026. A leadership assessment will also be requested by candidates in the final selection stage.

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.