Head of Client Services Group

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, 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 EXECUTIVE DIRECTORATE (EXD)

The Executive Directorate (EXD) is the steward of OECD resources, on behalf of the Secretary-General.  Our focus is on people and their wellbeing; the effective and efficient management of the budget; the safety and security of staff, Delegations, visitors, and of the OECD’s data; maintaining and sustaining physical and digital infrastructure; and enabling the convening power of the OECD through conferences, meetings and events, whether virtual, physical or hybrid.  As well as providing corporate services, functions and management support to our staff and Members, we provide integrated, strategic and expert advice on corporate policies and management issues to the Secretary-General, to Council and to Standing Committees, to which we regularly report on corporate matters. We also provide compliance and risk management functions (for management areas under our purview). Ours is a fast-paced environment focused on delivering management excellence across all of our functions.

THE HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICE (EXD/HRM)

Within the OECD's Executive Directorate (EXD), the Human Resources Service (EXD/HRM) employs a workforce of approximately 80 staff who provide stewardship of the Organisation’s human capital on behalf of the Secretary-General. The service is composed of three main business units\: the Clients Services Group (CSG), the HR Operations Group (HRO) and the Talent Management and Analytics Group (TMA).

CSG serves as the first point of contact for all people management matters across the OECD. The 15 staff in CSG provide superior client experience, oversee the implementation of horizontal HR processes and lead on senior leadership recruitments OECD-wide.

THE POSITION

EXD/HRM is currently seeking a dynamic and people-focused senior manager to head the Client Services Group (CSG). A key focus for this position is oversight of our People Management Cycle which provides for a strategic, coherent and continuous approach to people management.  As a key member of the Senior Management team of the Organisation, they will provide intellectual leadership and rigour to ensure that recruitment processes at the OECD are based on competency and merit while fostering diversity.  This opportunity is located in Paris, and the selected candidate will report directly to the Head of Service for HRM. 

Main Responsibilities

Leadership

• Lead by example, providing CSG team members with clear, ethical and actionable direction, in support of EXD/HRM strategic and operational initiatives.
• Develop a sustainable, scalable, and standardised CSG team structure which allows the group to respond to clients and changing external priorities in an agile manner.
• Establish and maintain high-level working relationships with leadership across the OECD so as to efficiently and relevantly deliver on horizontal initiatives and senior leadership recruitments.
• Foster initiatives for diversity and a culture of respect, inclusion and collaboration both within CSG, and in all of CSG’s interactions across the Organisation.
• Ensure that the CSG team is actively contributing to making the OECD an attractive and productive workplace
• Lead, motivate and contribute to the professional development and performance management of CSG staff to ensure delivery of high-quality work within set deadlines, effective and efficient working methods and a constructive working atmosphere.

Direction and co-ordination

• Direct and coordinate all aspects of HR work conducted by CSG team members in support of client Directorates, including resource planning and people management, recruitment, performance management, talent development, engagement, succession planning and more general workforce planning.
• In concert with HRM leadership, the Executive Director, conceptualise and develop a senior-leadership workforce planning framework to ensure optimal, effective planning and prioritisation of senior recruitment.
• Establish an annual work plan to ensure predictable prioritisation and deployment of CSG resources.
• Lead a team of HR specialists to enable process standardisation in CSG while also championing the group’s inputs into HRM-wide priorities, projects, and KPIs.
• Define common standards and best practices for HR management, and guide the CSG team in implementing them across the Organisation.

Client engagement and Service delivery

• Ensure organisational alignment by listening to, collaborating with, and influencing senior managers and client Directorate HR practice leads, as they implement people standards, strategies, programmes and policies across the OECD.
• Set clear and high standards for quality of service across the group; monitor delivery, and account for overall levels of client service delivery.
• Proactively share information across client services, and between CSG and other HRM Services.
• Engage collaboratively with other areas of the Executive Directorate and HRM services to scope human capital management products and initiatives applicable across the organisation.  Ensure an implementation that is consistent and data driven.
• Direct a team to conduct research and data analytics to identify talent gaps and to assess organisational performance in Directorates, with a view to proposing viable options to senior management in support of their business needs.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

Advanced university degree in human resources, business administration, employment law, or organisational development.

Professional Background

• Minimum ten years’ of relevant professional experience with proven capacity in the successful management of HR programmes in International Organisations or multilateral enterprises.
• Minimum ten years’ of people management experience with proven results.
• Demonstrated experience working in an international or diverse, cross-cultural setting.
• Demonstrated experience leading a team which provides client service (either internal or external).
• Knowledge and understanding of HR policies, rules and procedures in an International Organisation would be an asset.

Key Skills

• HR policy development and implementation.
• People management.
• Diplomacy.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, gender balance, and sensitivity to cross-cultural issues.

Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and a knowledge of, or a willingness to learn, the other.
• Knowledge of other languages would be an asset.

Core Competencies

• For this role, the following competencies would be particularly important\: Achievement focus, Managing resources, Teamwork and Team leadership, Client focus, Diplomatic sensitivity, Influencing, Organisational knowledge,
• Please refer to the level 5 indicators of the OECD Core Competencies.

Contract Duration

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

What the OECD offers 

• Monthly base salary starting from 10,653 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.

Selection Process

For retained candidates, written tests/video-recorded interviews and panel interviews are foreseen early 2023.

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

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.