Economist/Data Analyst - Subnational Supply-Use Tables and Global Value Chain Analysis

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.

CFE is looking for a dynamic, innovative and motivated Economist to join the Economic Analysis, Data and Statistics Division for a new multi-year project. The chosen candidate will lead a project to develop new indicators and analysis on the integration of regions within OECD countries in the global economy. Specifically, the project aims to produce analysis identifying opportunities for growth in regions through better integration in (global) value chains. The project involves developing a methodology and its implementation to create subnational supply/use and input/output tables, as well as the integration of these tables in inter-country input/output tables for selected countries that can be linked with the OECD’s Trade in Value Added (TiVA) database.

The position requires a strong quantitative profile and experience using both aggregate and microdata. It also requires the ability to co-ordinate work internally with colleagues working on related topics and engagement with external stakeholders involved in the implementation (national statistical offices, ministries, academics, etc.). The successful candidate will contribute to CFE’s smart data strategy and to the policy-oriented research of the Division and might also be tasked to contribute to further analytical and/or data-oriented projects connected to regional/local, urban or rural development, SMEs, entrepreneurship, tourism or culture.

The selected candidate will report to the Head of the Economic Analysis Unit within the Economic Analysis, Data, and Statistics Division.

Main Responsibilities

Research, Policy Analysis and drafting

• Plan, conduct and supervise economic and data-driven analysis and the development of relevant indicators in the areas of work of CFE, in particular on integration of regions in the global economy. Precise subjects to be addressed will evolve in line with the programme of work established by the different Committees served by CFE.
• Conduct quantitative analysis using different sources of data, including combining subnational data on value added and gross output with microdata on firms and households to distribute production (location and activity of firms, their exports/imports), consumption (household final consumption, government final consumption) and investment.
• Perform comparative applied policy analysis for OECD member countries, including addressing policy outcomes, strategies, and practices in the respective areas as well as identifying best practices.
• Draft working papers and (chapters for) OECD reports and reviews on the key topics for CFE.
• Draft other documents, including synthesis reports of expert discussions, seminar proceedings, mission reports and consultants’ contributions.
• Ensure timeliness and a high level of analytical and editorial quality in the preparation and publication of OECD documents.
• Stay abreast of developments related to urban, rural, regional and local development, SMEs, and entrepreneurship, including on developments in the academic literature on these topics.

Co-ordination and Management

• Manage projects in the fields of work of the Division focused on integration of (subnational) regions in the global economy.
• Be responsible for the planning and delivery of meetings, conferences, workshops, and missions organised or co-organised by the Economic Analysis, Data and Statistics Division as needed.
• Engage with and supervise the work of junior staff, consultants, statisticians, and interns.
• Collaborate with other staff within CFE and from other OECD Directorates, and contribute to horizontal and multi-disciplinary projects and outputs as needed.
• Contribute to fundraising efforts of CFE.

Liaison and Representation

• Establish and maintain good working relationships with officials from member countries, international experts and academics.
• Present and represent the Division and CFE in internal and external meetings when required.
• Carry out other related duties, as assigned.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• Advanced university degree (and preferably training to PhD level) in a relevant field, such as economics or economic geography, with coursework in statistics and quantitative analysis
• Training in econometric methods using microdata.
• Proven familiarity with fields related to the global economy, e.g. work on international trade, global value chains, national accounts, supply/use tables, or input/output tables.

Professional Background

• Minimum of three to five years of experience in research and analytical activities in the fields of regional development, applied economics, geography or public policy. Out of which at least two years of professional experience (i.e. beyond PhD research).

Tools

• Knowledge of common econometric software (e.g. Stata) is expected.
• Familiarity with using Python and/or R would be an asset
• Knowledge of GIS software would be an asset.

Languages

• Working knowledge of both OECD official languages (English and French) would be an asset.
• Knowledge of other languages would be an asset.

Core Competencies

• For this role, the following competencies would be particularly important\: Achievement focus, Analytical thinking, Drafting skills, Teamwork and Team leadership, Diplomatic sensitivity, Strategic networking
• Please refer to the level 3 indicators of the OECD Core Competencies.

Contract Duration

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

What the OECD offers 

• Depending on level of experience, monthly salary starts at either 6,130 EUR or 7,563 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 

• This position is twin graded A2/A3. Appointment will be based on the candidate’s level of experience and demonstrated ability to perform the functions at the expected level.
• Please note that the appointment may be made at a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

Selection Process

For retained candidates, written tests/video-recorded interviews are foreseen to take place in the first week of June and panel interviews are expected to take place mid-June 2022.

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.