Policy Analyst

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 Directorate for Education and Skills (EDU) leads the Organisation's work to help member and non-member countries achieve high-quality learning for all, design better skills policies, and turn them into jobs and growth. The directorate provides statistics, analysis and policy advice to countries on various educational topics.

EDU’s Innovation and Measuring Progress Division (IMEP) works at the frontier of public policy in education to support the Programmes of Work and Budget of the Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI) and the Education Policy Committee (EDPC). The Division builds bridges between education research, policy and practice, helps to understand emerging challenges, and maps and supports innovation. It also explores what futures could look like and analyses their implications for education.

IMEP is looking for several Policy Analysts to contribute to its ongoing and new projects, including:

• The Evidence Web for Education: Building on the work conducted in the Strengthening the Impact of Education Research project, this new project aims to build an international reference for quality evidence syntheses in education and establish a community of knowledge intermediaries. It will support policy makers and practitioners in accessing and engaging with educational evidence through creating a structured evidence platform and provide intermediaries with peer learning opportunities.
• Flourishing through Childhood: Building on the work conducted in the 21st Century Children project, this new project aims to support greater involvement of children in research. It will identify different mechanisms for children's participation more broadly and synthesise research in an age-appropriate formats.
• Trends Shaping Education: Working in collaboration across the OECD and with leading experts and policy makers, Trends Shaping Education supports strategic thinking on the future of education. By highlighting key environmental, economic, social, demographic and technological trends and their connection to education policy and practice, the project scans the horizon for emerging phenomena, using scenarios to explore the changes that appear most probable as well as those that are less expected. All of education is considered, from early childhood education and care through to tertiary education and lifelong learning.

The Policy Analysts will work under the supervision of the Project Leads and the Head of the Innovation and Measuring Progress Division (EDU/IMEP).

Main Responsibilities

Research, policy analysis and drafting

• Gather information, data and research evidence for the purpose of conducting comparative analysis, synthesising and mobilising evidence. Ensure validity of data and evaluate the quality of research.
• Contribute to designing and conducting policy-relevant research: develop research protocols, questionnaires, conduct data collection and prepare quantitative and qualitative data for analysis. Analyse documentary and statistical material to prepare diagrammes, tables and graphs.
• Draft and co-ordinate substantive analytical papers, and strategic and dissemination documents to meet the needs of different audiences.
• Contribute to tasks such as the following:
• Identifying relevant global trends and policy issues, developing strategic foresight tools and workshops, and promising education sector responses.
• Conceptualising and designing user-friendly platforms that gather educational evidence and research-based tools for policy makers, practitioners and intermediaries.
• Identifying mechanisms that promote participation of children in school and broader life. Synthesising and presenting research in age-appropriate formats for children of different ages.
• Keep abreast of relevant new research, data and exploratory work emanating from across the OECD, governments, other international organisations, non-governmental organisations, universities and the private sector.

Partnership building, peer learning and event organisation

• Contribute to identifying, recruiting and supervising experts with relevant expertise. Monitor progress, provide guidance and advice where required.
• Map and analyse the needs and capacity of relevant stakeholders.
• Design, organise and deliver relevant and engaging peer learning events, seminars, conferences and workshops in collaboration with external experts and/or member countries.

Meetings, representation and liaison

• Establish collaboration with other OECD directorates to explore the impact of trends in various sectors on education systems.
• Contribute to horizontal and multidisciplinary projects and other outputs of the Directorate for Education and Skills and the OECD.
• Represent the OECD in relevant international and national forums, delivering presentations and promoting OECD analysis through events, articles, podcasts, blogs and various media channels.
• Establish and cultivate professional contacts with key external organisations and individuals.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• An advanced university degree in social sciences, public policy, education or a related field.
• A PhD in the above fields is an asset.

Professional Background

• Minimum five, preferably eight years relevant experience in research and analysis in social sciences, public policy, education or a related field; experience of multi-disciplinary work in a policy-oriented context would be an advantage.
• Experience with project management in research and/or policy contexts.
• Experience with the organisation of meetings, workshops and conferences. Experience of translating research for use in policy making or practice in the education sector would be an advantage.
• Sound quantitative and qualitative research skills and high quality drafting and analytical skills.
• Specialised depth and/or breadth of expertise in one of the following areas would be an asset:
• Research production, mobilisation and use; evaluation of research methodologies, evidence syntheses.
• Multidisciplinary research in child development, participation and child well-being in the digital world.
• Strategic foresight.

Tools

• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite and other standard information technology applications.
• Experience in using generative AI tools creatively to increase efficiency.

Core Competencies

• OECD staff are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring processes: Vision and Strategy (Level 2); Enable People (Level 1); Ethics and Integrity (Level 2); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 2); Achieve Results (Level 2); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 2).
• There are three possible levels for each competency. The level for each competency is determined according to the specific needs of each job role and its associated grade.
• To learn more about the definitions for each competency for levels 1-3, please refer to OECD Core Competencies.

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.

Closing Date

• This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than Sunday 25 August 2024 23h59 (CET).

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 6 665.76 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 one grade lower in the specified job family, based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

Salary Information

• Please note that the appointment may be made at one grade lower in the specified job family, based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

Selection Process

For retained candidates, written tests are foreseen in September 2024 and panel interviews are planned for early October.

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.