Young Associate 2023-2025 - Centre for Skills

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 Centre for Skills (SKC) supports countries in the development of skills policies to support the acquisition and use of skills by individuals to improve their employability and social outcomes, strengthen their capacity to adapt to rapidly changing economies and societies, and ensure sustainable and equitable growth and social progress.  The Centre for Skills provides analysis, statistics and policy advice to countries on developing relevant skills over the life course, using skills fully and effectively in the economy and society, and strengthening the governance of skills systems. Given that skills policy is a composite policy domain, implicating many other policy domains, the Centre also works horizontally with the many Directorates in the OECD.

Work in the OECD Centre for Skills includes\:

1. novel, cross-country analysis of how skills support the achievement of positive labour market and social outcomes for individuals and countries.

2. thematic work on skills policies that support the development and use of skills across the life course, such as modernising VET systems, quality assurance, financing, mechanisms for engaging stakeholders in skills policy, vocational teachers and trainers, and skills system governance.

3. collaborative projects with countries, sub-national governments, and regions in assessing their performance in developing relevant skills and providing guidance and technical support to governments for the implementation of skills policy reforms.

Role

The Young Associate will be part of a dynamic team working on several aspects of skills policies. In particular, the Young Associate will work alongside the Skills Analysis team (responsible for the development of the biennial flagship publication Skills Outlook on the development of cross-country indicators and analytical insights), the Vocational Education and Training team (responsible for in-depth reviews of vocational education and training systems as well as the development of new approaches to assess the quality of VET), and the Skills Strategy team (responsible for assessing skills challenges and opportunities faced by countries and help countries build more effective skills systems through tailor-made policy responses), as well as the Centre’s front office in outreach and corporate engagement. The Young Associate will have the opportunity to build their expertise on skills policies working under the supervision of the three team managers and institutional exposure with the Head of the Centre.

Main Responsibilities

• Identify relevant policy issues, conduct in-depth analysis of specific topics or countries, extract policy lessons, and develop relevant, constructive policy advice.

• Undertake analysis of national and international datasets, (e.g. OECD datasets, labour force surveys, longitudinal surveys, administrative data).

• Conduct desk research and draft chapters and content for country and thematic reports, working papers, technical papers designed for policymakers.

• Contribute substantive input to other products and/or events of the OECD Centre for Skills, such as country case studies, presentations, briefing notes, peer learning workshops, skills summits, etc.

• Contribute to design and deliver workshops, seminars and high-level meetings using effective tools and methodologies to present analysis and evidence.

• Represent the OECD in relevant international and national settings, deliver presentations, disseminate OECD analysis through relevant channels, establish and maintain professional contacts with relevant external organisations and individuals.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• University degree in economics, public policy, social science or related discipline with a strong quantitative focus and statistical content (graduation date between 1 January 2022 and 1 September 2023). Applications from candidates who already hold or are enrolled in a Master’s, PhD, or equivalent degree will not be considered.

• Course work in at least two of the following areas is required\: statistics,econometrics, economics, education, public policy, labour economics .

• Course work in research methods, policy evaluation, education policy, and labour economics is desirable.

Skills

• Data analysis and knowledge of statistical software (e.g. STATA, R or Python).

• Effective written communication skills, including the ability to organise and present complex material clearly and simply for both specialised and non-specialised audiences.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to make public presentations and to work collegiately in a team environment.

Languages

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

Core Competencies

• For this role, the following competencies would be particularly important\: Achievement focus, Analytical thinking, Drafting skills, Flexible thinking, Managing resources, Teamwork and Team leadership, Diplomatic sensitivity, Strategic networking and Strategic thinking.

• Please refer to the level 1 indicators of the OECD Core Competencies.

Contract Duration

Two-year fixed term appointment

Starting Date

September 2023

Before applying, we encourage you to check your eligibility by answering a few short questions here.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly base salary is 3 873.50, exempt of French income tax, plus allowances based on eligibility. 

• 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.

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. Applications from candidates who are not OECD Member country nationals will not be considered.

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.