THE OECD – Who we are, what we do

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an International Organisation comprised of 38 member countries whose mission is to build better policies for better lives. We promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. Together with governments, policymakers, and citizens, we work to establish evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a broad range of social, economic, and environmental challenges, from the improvement of 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.

Under the guidance of the Secretary-General, the core mission of the recently redesigned Directorate for Communications (COM) is to maximise the reach and impact of the OECD and its work through clear, cutting-edge, evidence-based communications carried out in a decentralised organisational structure in conjunction with policy directorates with a focus on enhancing the effectiveness of digital communications. The Director conducts its functions in accordance with the OECD Communications Strategy and pursuant to Annual Communication Plans for which it is responsible, steering organisational efforts on strategic priorities and supporting policy directorates in their communications to specialised audiences. Working in concert with communications professionals in policy directorates across the OECD, it drives forward a coherent communications function, serving as a standard setter for excellence and measuring communications impact throughout the OECD. It leads on corporate level media, social media, stakeholder, and parliamentary engagement; the architecture and implementation of the Organisation’s online presence, including multimedia digital content; and the dissemination of OECD publications, while performing a key role in risk identification and management in the public sphere.  The Directorate holds as a core value an agile, collaborative, and supportive culture marked by positive interaction and accountability among professionals.

THE POSITION

The OECD is looking for a dynamic and highly experienced Director of Communications (COM) with extensive corporate communication and management experience who will provide strategic direction and strong leadership to its Directorate. The Director is expected to lead the cultural change of the communications model towards a more service-based culture, in a recently reorganised directorate at a time of a strategic move of the OECD towards free and web-based OECD content and investments in digital products.

Working closely with the OECD Leadership team and the Directorate management team, the Director will promote coordination, coherence, and external impact across corporate priority issues, working across the Organisation. The Director will strive to increase the impact of the work of the Organisation in the international and national context. S/he will be able to provide intellectual guidance and leadership in coordinating and managing its programme of work, while maintaining a wide professional network, representing COM and the OECD in international meetings, stakeholder, and media events.

The ideal candidate will have excellent and proven public policy skills, as well as proven experience in enhancing reach and impact through communications in a fast-changing digital environment. S/he will thrive in a multidisciplinary and multicultural work environment, demonstrate innovative strategic thinking and have proven corporate communications skills and a record of accomplishment in managing a complex programme of work, budget, and international teams.

Main Responsibilities

Leadership

• Participate actively as a member of the OECD Senior management team providing advice on strategic communications issues.
• Identify emerging opportunities and challenges for OECD communications and  develop strategies and plans to address these in a proactive and agile manner, in support of senior managers.
• Lead the cultural transformation needed in the recently reorganised directorate towards a culture of impactful digital communications and services to policy directorates.
• In concert with policy directors, lead the transformation of the full communications function in COM and policy directorates to achieve a One COM communication environment for the whole of the organization, with solid standards, a strong culture of collaboration, focus on impact and agility of human resources.
• Create and champion a culture of openness and inclusion that embraces differences with respect, ethics, and integrity, and ensure the directorate’s alignment with OECD values as a fundamental part of management and implementing strategy.

Representation and Liaison

• Ensure effective communication and collaborative working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to maximise the value, visibility, and impact of the work of the OECD.
• Ensure close coordination and collaboration with the Secretary-General’s office and policy directorates as well as effective relations with the Council and permanent delegations.
• Represent the OECD at high-level meetings internally and externally within and beyond OECD member countries and with key international and national external stakeholders.

Management and Co-ordination

• Provide clear direction and exercise critical oversight and judgement to ensure optimal use of human and financial resources in the development and execution of the Programme of Work and Budget and Human Resource Strategy. Ensure optimal use of resources, skills, and knowledge in support of the Directorate’s business needs and maintain high-quality standards.
• Ensure proactive co-ordination of OECD messages around priority themes and issues, working across the Organisation to promote coherence and greater resonance of OECD work. Foster a culture of innovation, integrity, and accountability in the transformation of the OECD communications function, contributing to an agile, collaborative, and supportive culture marked by positive interaction and accountability among colleagues
• Actively manage the Directorate’s human capital, through merit-based recruitment processes, professional development, and performance management of its staff. Lead, motivate, and recruit professional staff to promote a learning culture, and coaching talent to ensure the delivery of high-quality products within set deadlines excellence,
• 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 inclusion and diversity and respect.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic and Professional Background

• An advanced university degree in communication, business and administration or international relations or related fields.
• More than 10 years of senior-level experience in an international organisation, a national administration, a private sector company or a communication agency, working on issues and policy areas linked to the OECD’s agenda.
• Proven leadership and management experience in corporate communications at an international level with a strong focus on digital communications.
• 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.

Communication and Languages 

• Outstanding communication and presentation skills and the ability to interact confidently with various audiences, including the media.
• Excellent written and oral command of and ability to draft policy, analytical and technical papers in at least one of the OECD’s two official languages (English or French), with working knowledge of, or willingness to learn, the other. However, given the nature of the role, strengths in both official languages would be desirable.

Core Competencies 

• Strong leadership and political skills, proven management skills and demonstrated ability to motivate and manage a multidisciplinary team and to advise and coach other managers.
• Strong political and diplomatic sensitivity, proven skills in interacting effectively with multiple high-level stakeholders.
• Ability to identify emerging issues and policy implications and communicate analytical results to policymakers clearly and compellingly. Ability to translate these issues into innovative and rigorous work programmes.
• Ability to assess members’ needs and to identify analytical approaches to address these needs in the Directorate’s programme of work.
• Strong human and budgetary resource management skills. Commitment to team-orientated working methods and diversity in the workplace.
• Please refer to the level 5 indicators of the OECD Core Competencies.

Contract Duration

·    Three years 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 14,333.07 Euros [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

All applications are screened based on the criteria for the position.  For candidates who are screened-in, written tests and/or video-recorded interviews are foreseen September 2023, and panel interviews are planned for October 2023. A leadership assessment will also be requested 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 from national and gender perspectives while running fair, transparent and competitive selection processes.

The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to contribute to this goal actively.

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 policies supporting staff in their daily life.