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 Well-Being, Inclusion, Sustainability and Equal Opportunity (WISE) Centre’s mission is to strengthen and advance the OECD’s work on well-being, sustainability and inclusion agendas. WISE is working to consolidate the OECD’s position as the leading international organisation in these areas, ensuring that these themes become more effectively institutionalised within the Organisation and that the OECD’s advice in these areas become more impactful. WISE works to devise new policy solutions on topics ranging from inequalities of opportunity and poor social mobility, to loneliness, low well-being and mental health. Our work is helping countries with challenges ranging from pandemic recovery to cost-of-living crises, and from digitalization to environmental depletion and climate change.

The WISE Centre is looking for a Head of Engagement and Operations. The Head will support the WISE Centre’s Director in developing and implementing the Centre’s engagement strategy as well as support with all operational aspects of the Centre, including its administration, partnerships, fundraising, events, publishing and communications. She or he will be in responsible for quality-ensuring administrative processes, enhancing their value for money, working closely with the resource management advisor of the WISE Centre and the administrative staff. She or he will identify and secure collaborations and sponsorships, including financial ones, working in coordination with the Heads of Units in WISE. In addition, she or he will take the lead in articulating and implementing the publishing and communication policy for WISE, liaising and coordinating with Communication Managers of other Directorates as well as with the Public Affairs and Communication Directorate, in order to cross-fertilise WISE’s work. She or he will also work with OECD Delegations to keep them regularly informed about the activities of the WISE Centre.

Main Responsibilities 

Strategic engagement

·         Define and supervise the implementation of WISE’s engagement and communications strategy, with a view to enhance the relevance, visibility and impact of its work under the guidance of the Director. 

·         Help position the work of WISE within the wider work of the OECD and ensure effective planning and co-ordination with the Public Affairs and Communication Directorate (PAC) and other Directorates.

·         Improve WISE’s mapping and monitoring of its audiences, and participate in the corporate impact evaluation efforts. Measure the effectiveness of different communications vehicles and approaches and provide strategic guidance across WISE to adjust strategies and practices. 

Oversee WISE’s web presence, develop engaging content and ensure the visibility of WISE’s work as appropriate across oecd.org.

·         Coordinate with PAC to ensure the visibility of WISE’s work in the OECD’s broader communications strategy and represent WISE on the organisation’s Senior Communications Board.

·         Coordinate the range, content and distribution of WISE communications products and promotional material to convey key policy messages, and promote these through existing or new communications channels (media, social media, website, newsletter, etc.).  

Partnerships and fundraising 

·         Identify new potential partners to support WISE work.

·         Develop, support and drive implementation of a strategy for engagement with different partners (public, private and non-profit), including those that can provide direct financing or in-kind resources, in close coordination with the WISE Director’s Office and Heads of Units.  

·         Manage the strategic partners of WISE, regularly liaising with them and building trustworthy relationships that last and deliver benefits in the medium and long term.

·         Keep OECD Delegations regularly informed about the activities of the WISE Centre.

·         Work collaboratively with WISE Heads of Units and policy staff by providing strategic guidance on how to design, communicate and negotiate projects with donors. 

·         Oversee the administration of grants and voluntary contributions, and advise the WISE Centre’s Director and Heads of Units on negotiations with donors.

Management of operations

·         Oversee operational and administrative processes to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the WISE Centre and help implementing the changes needed to increase efficiency and value for money.

·         Advise the WISE Centre’s Director and Heads of Units on the most effective solutions for the operational and administrative aspects of their work, with the support of the resource management advisor.

·         Ensure that WISE is making use of its administrative and support staff in the most efficient way and advise on available external resources when needed. 

·         Manage a small team of communications and administrative staff ensuring good teamwork, the professional development of staff members and an effective collaboration between WISE’s Comm team, MSU, WISE management and staff members as well as counterparts in PAC, HRM, EXD, LEG, and other administrative units.

·         Develop capacity in the team to address an evolving communications environment, soliciting external expertise as required. 

·         Demonstrate a commitment to excellence by ensuring high standards of performance management, project planning and management, effective working methods and a working environment conducive to teamwork, continuous learning, and innovation. 

Publishing and events:

·         Oversee the production of WISE’s published outputs in liaison with PAC and ensuring that published outputs are in line with the OECD quality standards and guidelines with appropriate branding and visual identities, and follow the clearance procedures.

·         Support authors upstream to clarify evidence and policy messages, and draft or lead on communication outputs such as blogs, videos or press articles. 

·         Ensure that WISE plays an active part in the Organisation’s evolving approach to communications, by implementing more interactive content and through the professionalisation of messaging. 

·         Cultivate awareness of good publishing practices throughout WISE and propose innovative digital tools and methods for publishing WISE’s work (e.g. dashboards, webbooks, infographics, etc.)

·         Ensure that WISE events are organised to the highest quality, making best use of available resources.

·         Advise WISE colleagues on all aspects related to events and help them identify external service providers when needed.

Ideal Candidate Profile 

Academic Background

·         An advanced university degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as communications, media or international relations, social sciences, business, etc. 

Professional Background 

·     A minimum of three, preferably at least five years, of relevant experience in the area of communications and fundraising, preferably in an international environment.

·         Strong storytelling skills with proven ability to draft clear and engaging content.

·         Experience working on communications for large events. 

·         Experience of results management and or monitoring, evaluating and reporting on the success of communications campaigns. 

·         Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills. 

·         Proven ability to innovate, bring new ideas and creative approaches.

·         Proven ability to co-create with different kinds of partners and stakeholders, identifying and building on convergent interests. 

·         Experience in the non-profit or private sector is a plus. 

·         Experience with writing grant proposals and grant reporting. 

·         Knowledge of the fundraising industry, including development banks, corporate philanthropy, banks, and private foundations. 

·         Understanding of the funder climate, trends, strategies, and priorities 

Tools 

·         Knowledge of desktop design tools (e.g. Adobe Creative Suite) and web tools would be a definite advantage.  

·         Experience with IT collaborative platforms (e.g. e-share) would be an advantage.

·         Experience with data visualisation and infographic tools would be an advantage.  

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. 

Core Competencies  

·         For this role, the following competencies would be particularly important: Achievement focus, Drafting skills, Flexible thinking, Teamwork, Diplomatic sensitivity, and Strategic networking. 

·         Please refer to the level 3 indicators of the OECD Core Competencies. 

Contract Duration 

·         Twelve-month, fixed-term appointment, with the possibility of renewal. 

What the OECD offers 

·         Depending on level of experience, monthly salary starts at either 5,974 EUR or 7,372 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.

·         This position is twin graded A2/A3. Appointment will be based on the candidate’s level of experience and demonstrated ability to perform the functions at the expected level.

·         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 a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant. 

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.