China Programme Officer

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 Energy Agency (IEA) is an intergovernmental organisation committed to advancing security of energy supply, economic growth and environmental sustainability through energy policy co-operation. The IEA operates as an autonomous body within the framework of the OECD. Both the IEA and the OECD seek opportunities to work with an increasing number of non-members of growing importance to the world economy. The Agency aims to foster the contribution of the energy sector to economic development and environmental sustainability.

The Office of Global Energy Relations (GER) was created to strengthen IEA engagement with key Accession, Association and partner country governments, stakeholders and international organisations as well as to ensure internal co-ordination of these activities. The Division for Asia-Pacific and Partnerships is responsible for coordinating and developing the Agency’s engagement with countries in the region, including high-level dialogue, collaborative analytical work, peer-reviews, technical cooperation, as well as training and capacity building.

GER seeks to hire a China Programme Officer to support its work on China. Energy markets are global, and China is of key importance to the IEA as the world’s largest producer and consumer of energy and carbon emitter. China was one of the first countries to join the IEA as an Association country in 2015, and is aiming to peak CO2 emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. The China Programme Officer will assist the China Programme Manager to build effective relations, dialogue and co-operation with key stakeholders in China. The main responsibility of the Officer will beto s coordinate China-related activities and events and to facilitate exchanges with relevant stakeholders in China. Depending on the profile and experience of the selected candidate, they would also contribute to China-related energy policy research and advice. . The selected candidate will be part of a team of enthusiastic professionals reporting to the Head of Division for Asia Pacific and Partnership.

Job Description

Main Responsibilities

Programme Support and Coordination

• Support the Agency’s work on China that would influence energy policy making in China in line with the needs and priorities agreed by Member countries, including by ensuring horizontal collaborations across the Agency to leverage relevant expertise.
• Assist the China Programme Manager in implementing the IEA’s effective engagement with China through planning and day-to-day dialogue on projects and events with colleagues responsible for China-related work across the Agency.
• Support coordination and preparations for IEA missions, meetings, workshops and other events both online (hybrid) and in person, including those in China, through logistical arrangements and by assisting with the preparation of related documents.

Research, Analysis and Drafting

• Monitor and analyse developments across China’s energy sector, including on clean energy technologies, and ensure that IEA colleagues are informed of emerging and important developments.
• Produce briefing materials, and speaking notes for events involving IEA colleaguesand review Chinese translations of IEA outputs before publication or presentation.
• Provide research assistance and input to selected analyses relating to China, such as literature reviews, source documentation and Internet based research in response to internal questions on China’s energy system.

Liaison and Outreach

• Support and work with the China Programme Manager to enhance IEA relations with China, including its institutional engagement with government actors, both at a technical and high level, by maintaining and developing good contacts with policy-level government officials, industry, research institutes, universities and other relevant stakeholders.
• Organise relevant bilateral and multilateral activities and events in China by leveraging networks and working together with designated contact points in China.
• Facilitate exchanges between relevant IEA colleagues and contacts in China to implement the IEA's co-operative activities.
• Support preparation of and participate in meetings of the IEA Governing Board, the Standing Group for Global Energy Dialogue and other IEA meetings, as well as relevant meetings of other international organisations, as required.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background:

• An advanced university degree(s) in relevant disciplines, such as economics, public policy, international affairs relevant to energy and climate issues, or equivalent experience.

Professional Background

• A minimum of two years of experience in and knowledge of China, with a strong preference for candidates with experience working on energy and climate issues, including coordination and liaison functions.
• Prior policy experience, preferably in the energy field, would be viewed as an asset.
• Adequate event co-ordination and stakeholder engagement experience with exposure to energy questions, with a national government, international organisation, the private sector or academia/research would be a strong advantage.
• Ability to synthesise complex results and present them to a non-specialist audience.

Tools

• Excellent knowledge and experience in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, video conferencing and event management systems.

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 1 ); Enable People (Level 1); Ethics and Integrity (Level 1); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 1 ); 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.
• Strong professional command of Mandarin Chinese is essential.

Additional Information

Closing Date:

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

Contract Duration

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

What the OECD offers

• Depending on level of experience, monthly salary starts at either 5 741 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 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/video-recorded interviews are foreseen in September and panel interviews are planned for beginning of 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.