Director, Policy and Research, Economics Department

The Economics Department (ECO) leads co-ordinated, innovative, international action with respect to the OECD’s work on economic policy, both international and domestic. The Department implements the priorities of the Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) set by Member Countries and the Secretary-General in its area of business.

The Economics Department aims at enhancing economic performance in Member and non-Member countries through sound and innovative policy advice with a view to seeking an inclusive and durable increase in living standards. It deals with a wide array of policy areas combining macro-economic analysis and a strong emphasis on structural policy issues. Its policy advice is derived from a variety of sources such as country surveillance, cross-country benchmarking and evidence derived from empirical research. Much of the Economics Department’s policy analysis and advice is provided as input to committee-based peer review and multilateral surveillance processes and contributes to the overall OECD mission. The Economics Department interacts with several other OECD directorates working in specific policy fields.

Job Description

ECO is looking for a dynamic and strategic Director of Policy and Research Branch to support the Chief Economist in providing leadership and strategic direction to the work of the Economics Department, advancing the Strategic Orientations of the Secretary General in the area of economic performance, and ensuring that they fully reflect the multidimensional nature of the OECD and deliver analysis and policy advice that promote stronger, cleaner and fairer economic growth. S/he will leverage the comparative advantage of the Policy and Research Branch both within the OECD and globally and will be part of the Senior Management of the Organisation. As a key member of the Senior Management team of the Organisation, s/he will provide intellectual leadership and ensure that the OECD is at the forefront of global economic policy thinking and research.

The Director of Policy and Research Branch of the Economics Department will work under the direction of and with the Chief Economist and the Senior Management team of the Policy and Research Branch, providing guidance and support in the co-ordination and management of its programme of work and budget and its Committee. S/he will, together with the Director of the Country Studies Branch, strengthen collaboration and synergies between the two Branches. S/he will also foster co-ordination and promote joint work with other areas of the Organisation, including cross-cutting (horizontal) activities.

The breadth and complexity of the policy issues call for a highly motivated experienced senior executive with an excellent understanding of economic issues, political economy challenges and effective institutional settings. S/he thrives in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary work environment and is an innovative strategic thinker with political sensitivity. S/he also has a proven track record of managing and delivering complex Programmes of Work and Budget, as well as managing large and diverse international teams while maintaining a wide and effective professional network.

Main Responsibilities

Leadership

• Lead the Department’s Policy and Research Branch’s team in delivering the work programme in line with the priorities set by Members and the Secretary-General and with the OECD’s strategy for economics in the Programme of Work and Budget.
• Support the advancement and delivery of strategic outcomes in the area of economic policy through enhanced engagement and multidisciplinary work.
• Ensure the Department is at the forefront of international thinking and research on economic and public policy.
• Support the Chief Economist in providing the Office of the Secretary-General, the OECD Sherpa, and their respective teams with targeted policy advice and on the Organisation’s contributions in the area of economics, including to the G20, G7 and APEC.
• Support the Chief Economist by ensuring collaboration between the Country Studies Branch and the Policy and Research Branch and with the relevant policy communities both within and outside the OECD to ensure a coherent strategy of OECD support for economic growth.
• Support the Chief Economist in the supervision of the research and other activities within the Economics Department. Collaborate with the Chief Economist to ensure t the Department’s active participation and impactful contributions across organisation-wide management areas.
• Exercise critical oversight and quality assurance of the economics content of all outputs, ensuring that they are robust, timely and co-ordinated inputs to the policy debate in national governments, international bodies and with civil society.

Representation and Liaison

• Represent the Department 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.
• Lead and oversee policy missions to OECD Member Countries and non-OECD member economies, involving meetings with high-level policy makers.
• Ensure and participate in comprehensive communication efforts to promote the work of the Economics Department.
• Work to ensure that member countries are represented at the highest level in the different working groups and committees of the Economics Department.

Management and Co-ordination

• Actively manage the Department’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 Department’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

• A PhD degree in economics or a related subject from a leading institution.
• More than 10 year’s of senior-level relevant experience in formulating and implementing policy recommendations to support economic performance, gained through working in a national administration, an international organisation, academia, the private or the non-profit sector.
• 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.
• Excellent knowledge of the economic performance and institutional settings across OECD member countries and non-OECD economies. Excellent understanding of current international policy issues in these areas, as well as of the implications of the economic crisis and the role of emerging economies in the global economy.
• Ability to identify emerging issues with implications for economic performance and develop frameworks within which such issues can be assessed.
• Full command of the economic theory and the empirical literature relevant to policy analysis and economic reform, as well as a broad understanding of economic frameworks and institutions across a range of OECD countries and non-member economies.
• Demonstrated expertise in peer review, academic research and publishing in high-impact, peer-reviewed academic journals.

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.
• Excellent communication skills for the promotion of the achievements of the Policy and Research Branch and of the Economics Department to a wide range of audiences, in particular to member and non-member government officials, other key stakeholders and to the media.

Core Competencies

• OECD staff are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring process: Vision and Strategy (Level 3); Enable People (Level 3); Ethics and Integrity (Level 3); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 3); Achieve Results (Level 3); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 3).
• To learn more about the definitions for each competency for levels 1-3, please refer to OECD Core Competencies .

Additional Information

Contract Duration

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

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

• Monthly base salary starting from 15376.05 EUR plus allowances, based on eligibility, exempt from French income tax.
• Please note that the appointment may be made at a lower grade depending on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

Process

Please note that this position will be closed on Sunday, 12 January 2025, at 23h59 (CET) .

All applications are screened based on the criteria for the position. For candidates who are screened-in, video-recorded interviews are foreseen in February 2025, and panel interviews are planned for March-April 2025. A leadership assessment will also be requested to candidates in the final selection stage.