Senior Competition Expert

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 OECD has earned a leading role in financial and enterprise issues. The core mission of the Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs (DAF) is to assist markets to fund inclusive economic growth, and in turn Better Lives, through setting and implementing standards, providing capacity building and technical assistance, acting as a forum for co-operation and collaboration across the OECD Directorates, external stakeholders and International Organisations. DAF’s work is structured under two work clusters - Conduct and Markets - and its mission is pursued through seven substantive divisions whose teams provide member and partner countries with policy guidance, analysis and support in the areas of competition, anti-corruption, corporate governance, responsible business conduct, financial markets, and international investment. DAF currently employs about 250 staff members (economists, lawyers, statisticians, support staff, consultants, and trainees), who support work across a broad range of policy areas.

The Competition Division (DAF/COMP) supports the OECD’s Competition Committee and outreach efforts, serving as a leading source of policy analysis and advice to governments on how best to harness market forces in the interests of greater global economic efficiency and prosperity.

The Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs (DAF) DAF is looking for a Senior Expert with substantial experience in competition policy analysis and the application of competition laws. The selected person will be responsible for providing competition capacity-building in the Central, East and South-East European region through the OECD-GVH Regional Centre for Competition (RCC) in Budapest, Hungary, which was opened in 2005.

The Centre’s activities focus upon helping to build capacity to support effective, efficient competition law enforcement and pro-competitive reform in non-member economies in Central, East and South-East Europe, to enhance economic performance, growth, employment and living standards in the region.

The activities are part of a broader work programme of co-operation with non OECD member economies. The staff member will be based in Paris and will perform her/his duties under the supervision of the Head of the Competition Division and in co-operation with other staff members in the Competition Division and DAF staff.

• NB\: The selected person should be willing and available for frequent international travel.

Main Responsibilities

Capacity-building and Leadership

• Lead the OECD’s capacity-building programme for competition authorities in non-member economies in Central, East and South-East Europe through the Centre to ensure the development of sound competition law and policy throughout the region. 
• Organise and lead seminars at the Centre on competition law and policy for government officials, the judiciary, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders of non-member economies on\:

• a wide range of analytical and practical issues in competition law enforcement, including cartels, mergers, unilateral conduct, and empirical and investigational techniques;
• the application of competition law in particular cases by competition authorities in non-member countries;
• market reform issues in non-member economies, including the interaction between competition and economic regulation;
• prevention and detection of bid rigging in public procurement.
• Chair the Centre’s events and assume the role of expert presenter across sessions.
• Select other highly qualified experts to participate in Centre programmes and ensure the delivery of high-quality work within set deadlines, effective working methods, a constructive working atmosphere and effective communication.
• Ensure the quality of all programmes offered by the Centre.
• Develop Centre programmes and educational materials. Prepare and supervise the preparation of annual reports, background notes, newsletters, publications and other technical documents for use at the Centre.

Research, Analysis and Drafting

• Prepare, supervise, review and edit researched analyses of key topics in the application of competition law and policy or in-depth reports and recommendations of individual countries and in particular RCC beneficiary countries for the OECD Competition Committee’s consideration. Ensure both timeliness and a high level of analytical and editorial quality in the preparation and publication of these documents.

Supervision

• Assist in the selection process of temporary staff, support staff and trainees and supervise, motivate and contribute to their professional development, as required.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• An advanced degree in law and/or economics, ideally specialised in competition law and/or industrial organisation.

Professional Background

• A minimum of eight years of experience in the application of competition law and policy including at least five years in a national competition authority or international administration responsible for the enforcement of competition law.

• Knowledge of substantive, procedural and institutional issues that arise in all aspects of competition law enforcement, including anti-cartel enforcement, merger control and control of abuse of a dominant position; similar knowledge in the operation of competition advocacy programmes; knowledge of the competition regimes of several OECD member and non-member countries would be an advantage; knowledge of the interaction of competition policy with national regulatory regimes.

• Experience of competition regimes within Europe and the competition law of the European Union would be an advantage.

• Experience in drafting and production of papers, briefings and reports of a consistently high level of expertise and analytical quality with innovative approaches and policy recommendations where appropriate; written in a manner that makes them accessible to senior government officials.
• Proven teaching and communication skills, including the capacity to convey complex economic and legal concepts clearly, concisely and convincingly, in writing as well as orally, to less experienced staff in national competition authorities, ministries and regulatory agencies.

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.
• Knowledge of other languages would be an asset.

Core Competencies

For this role, the following competencies would be particularly important\: Achievement focus, Flexible Thinking, Drafting Skills, Teamwork and Team Leadership, Client Focus, Influencing, Diplomatic Sensitivity, Negotiating, Organisational Skills, Strategic Networking and Strategic Thinking.

• Please refer to the full list of OECD Core Competencies and the level 4 indicators.

Contract Duration

Fixed term appointment of one year with the possibility of renewal.

What the OECD offers 

• Monthly base salary starting from 9198.97 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.

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 and panel interviews are planned for.

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.