Head of Division, National Accounts Division – EL1

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 Statistics and Data Directorate (SDD) (www.oecd.org/sdd) provides statistics and data on a comparable basis and from a variety of sources to analysts, policy makers and members of civil society. SDD also develops new metrics and innovative digital tools to address emerging policy issues, leads the development of international statistical standards, advances statistical methodology and co-ordinates statistical and data-related activities within the Organisation and with other international agencies. It includes the Secretariat serving the Committee on Statistics and Statistical Policy (CSSP) and its Working Parties. The National Accounts Division (NAD) provides high quality statistics, data and analysis in the areas of national and financial accounts and on the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) to support relevant policy work in the OECD and internationally. NAD also undertakes research to ensure that accounting standards and statistics remain forward-looking and continue to respond to current and future megatrends such as digitalization, including artificial intelligence, globalization, and environmental challenges.

SDD is looking for a dynamic and experienced senior executive to provide leadership and strategic direction as Head of the National Accounts Division. The breadth and the complexity of the issues for which NAD is responsible requires an experienced senior executive with a strong understanding of the System of National Accounts and related statistical domains, along with an excellent grasp of the economic and policy drivers underpinning these statistics. S/he thrives in a multidisciplinary work environment, and is an innovative strategic thinker with political sensitivity. S/he has a proven track record of managing and delivering a complex Programme of Work and Budget, as well as managing large and diverse international teams, while maintaining a wide and effective professional network.

Main Responsibilities

Leadership

• Support the implementation of the Organisation’s Programme of Work and Budget and the advancement of the Strategic Orientations of the Secretary-General, in particular as they relate to National Accounts (non-financial and financial) and Environmental-Economic Accounting.
• Support the Office of the Secretary-General, the OECD Sherpa, and their respective teams on targeted policy advice and on the Organisation’s contributions in the area of national and financial accounts, including to the G20 and G7.
• Contribute to ensuring the global impact of OECD statistical work, including through increased engagement with key partners, and in line with the global relations strategy of the OECD.
• Identify opportunities and advance the use of new sources of data and methods to enrich relevant statistics to meet the demand for new, more granular and timely data in support of emerging policy issues.
• In close collaboration with other divisions, lead the modernisation of national accounts data management platforms and associated skills and organizational developments.

Representation and Liaison

• Represent the Directorate 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 effective dissemination of the work of the Division through the media, professional networks, academia and other communities.
• Ensure effective support for the Committee on Statistics and Statistical Policy and Subsidiary Bodies that oversee the work carried out by the Division. Facilitate effective participation of national government delegates, other intergovernmental organisations and as appropriate, other partners and stakeholders, in the work of the Committee.

Management and Co-ordination

• 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.
• Lead, manage and support the staff of the Division. Set objectives and provide guidance on the goals, direction and timing of their work; provide regular and constructive feedback on performance to motivate staff and contribute to their professional development. Develop and maintain good teamwork and ensure effective work methods and project management; implement and maintain arrangements to ensure effective internal communications within the Division.
• Build and lead a cohesive, multicultural and multidisciplinary team, promoting excellence, continuous learning, innovation, inclusion and diversity.
• 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.
• As a member of the directorate’s management team, contribute to decision making process on budgets, human resources, outreach, thematic priority setting and work plan implementation.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• An advanced university degree in statistics, econometrics or economics or equivalent qualification relevant to economic statistics.

Professional Background

• At least ten years’ relevant experience in national accounts statistics at senior/management levels, including experience in a national or international statistical agency or research body.
• Extensive knowledge of the System of National Accounts and related domains, with an excellent grasp of the economic and policy drivers underpinning the Division’s statistics.
• Demonstrated capacity to undertake and supervise empirical analysis and research in economic measurement.
• Excellent knowledge of the international statistical system, its institutions and functioning.
• A thorough understanding of the challenges faced in the collection, processing and dissemination of data coming from a wide range of sources in a variety of formats, as well as of the issues of international comparability.
• A proven record in managing large and complex statistical operations with an appreciation for new data, tools and techniques.
• A proven record of conducting relations at senior level, ability to achieve consensus and interact effectively with multiple high-level stakeholders.
• Excellent drafting and editorial skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to represent the Organisation’s key messages on policies to different fora.

Core Competencies

• Staff in Executive Leadership are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring processes at Level 3: Vision and Strategy; Enable People; Ethics and Integrity; Collaboration and Horizontality; Achieve Results; Innovate and Embrace Change.
• To learn more about the definitions for each competency, please refer to the OECD Core Competency Framework.

Communications and Languages

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

Closing Date:

• This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than midnight 08 September 2024 (Paris Time).

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 65.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly base salary starting from 12,109 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
• 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.

Process

All applications are screened based on the criteria for the position. For candidates who are screened-in, written tests and/or video-recorded interviews, and panel interviews are planned.

A leadership assessment will also be requested by candidates in the final selection stage.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from 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. Our selection processes are merit-based; we strive to enhance diversity both from national and gender perspectives while running fair, transparent and competitive selection processes.

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.

Learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.

Browse our People Management Guidebook to learn more about all aspects relating to people at the OECD, our workplace environment and on policies supporting staff in their daily life.