Senior Pension Fund Investment Manager

Company Description

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 International Service for Remunerations and Pensions (www.sirp-isrp.org) is committed to providing studies on remuneration and pension policies of International Civil Servants, and to administering the pensions of the Co-ordinated Organisations: the OECD, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the European Space Agency (ESA), the Council of Europe (COE), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) and other international organisations. In parallel, the ISRP administers Pension Reserve Funds for several international organisations.

The ISRP is administratively attached to the OECD.

The ISRP is looking for a Senior Pension Fund Investment Manager, specialised in the field of asset management, to work in its Investment and Actuarial Services Unit. The Unit is composed of twelve professionals with experience in investment analysis, portfolio management, actuarial studies, accounting and back-office administration. Currently, they oversee nine funds from seven international organisations, whose assets total approximately two billion euros. They are invested in public and private equity, bonds, infrastructure and real estate. Furthermore, part of the assets incorporate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.

The selected person will work under the supervision of the Head of the Unit and will be responsible for monitoring the latest investment market developments, devising and presenting proposals for investment strategies and products. In the context of external asset management, s/he will select asset managers and monitor them. S/he will contribute to the sound execution of the investments, risk management and report on the performance of the investments and continuously suggest process improvements and innovative solutions.

Job Description

Portfolio Management and Investment Analysis

• Conduct comprehensive analysis and management of fund portfolios, including market research, assessment of potential asset classes, and their suitability within portfolio contexts.
• Collaborate with the Funds' actuaries to conduct periodic asset-liability studies, reviewing liability-related objectives, asset allocations, and providing long-term return and risk projections, along with corresponding recommendations.
• Evaluate financial and operationsl risks associated with the funds and propose appropriate risk management strategies.
• Prepare investment analyses and related proposals, offering specializedadvice and recommendations to the different governing committees of the Funds in order to facilitate well-informed decision-making.
• Summarize proceedings from management and governing committee meetings in concise and comprehensive documents.
• Stay updated on economic and financial market developments to inform decision-making processes effectively.

Relationship Management and Procurement Specialist in Financial Services

• Prepare and conduct calls for tender for the selection of providers, from initial (quantitative and qualitative) screening to final scoring assessment and recommendation to the Management Board.
• Negotiate contract / terms ,contribute to the due diligence of legal agreements, and ensure proper execution with the back-office
• Interact with and monitor the different service providers, notably asset managers and consultants.
• Develop and maintain a professional network of investment experts, financial service providers and peers.

Reporting

• Review and validate the performance figures prepared by the external performance reporting provider. Contribute to the enhancement and development of performance monitoring files and risk management dashboard
• Prepare presentation-ready performance reports for the Funds’ governing committees and management.

Peer Review

• Assess and enhance the performance of fellow Analysts within the Unit by conducting thorough reviews and proposing constructive enhancements.

Operations

• Oversees the operations team, including reviewing and validating investment, transfer and rebalancing operations, making sure that trades are done in an efficient manner.

Qualifications

Academic Background

• Advanced university degree in Economics, Mathematics, Finance or a related discipline. CFA charter and / or related certificates (CIIA, CAIA) will be preferred.

Professional Background

• At least seven years’ experience in an asset management company, pension fund or investment consultancy firm analysing investments across a wide range of asset classes, including fixed-income and public equities in developed and emerging markets, and also preferably other alternative asset classes, such as real estate,infrastructure and private equity. A thorough understanding of issues of good governance and responsible investing is also expected.
• Experience in asset allocation and portfolio construction
• Experience in formulating and presenting investment proposals, in writing and orally.
• Experience in mutual fund selection and thorough monitoring.
• Knowledge and experience with UCITS and the AIFMD.

Technical Skills

• Excellent knowledge of portfolio management models and statistical analysis related to portfolio construction and risk management is required.
• Excellent knowledge of performance measures and best practices (GIPS standard) is required.
• Knowledge of pension funds is desirable.
• Ability to suggest continuous process improvements and innovation in the field of investments and pension funds.

Tools

• Very good command of office automation and software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and web tools.
• Knowledge of Morningstar Direct, Refinitiv Eikon, or Bloomberg.
• Knowledge of data management tools (e.g PowerBI) or coding skills would be an asset (e.g. Python, R).

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 2); Ethics and Integrity (Level 3); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 3); Achieve Results (Level 3); 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.

Additional Information

Contract Duration

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

Closing Date:

• This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than midnight 4 June 2024.

What the OECD offers

• Depending on level of experience, monthly salary starts at 8,984.43 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.

Salary Information

• 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 a and panel interviews are planned.

Please note that our Rules and Regulations stipulate that the mandatory retirement age is 65.

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.