The OECD – Who We Are, What We Do

The OECD is a global economic forum working with 37 member countries and more than 100 emerging and developing economies to make 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. The Organisation provides a unique forum in which governments work together to share experiences on what drives economic, social and environmental change, seeking solutions to common problems.

The Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC)

The Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC/OECD) is an international platform for policy dialogue and analysis, devoted to building effective regional policies to improve living conditions in West Africa, whose Secretariat is hosted by the OECD. Created in 1976, it is the only international entity entirely dedicated to regional co-operation in Africa. SWAC/OECD facilitates co-ordination and conducts independent analysis, which it uses to devise guidelines and policy tools for Members and stakeholders across a range of themes, notably food security, food systems, cities, territories and environment.

The Management & Partnerships Unit (M&P) is a strategic operational unit which focuses on nurturing existing relationships with SWAC members and partners, as well as identifying and developing new ones. The Unit produces tools (monitoring and evaluation framework, country notes etc.) that allow the thematic programmes to integrate Member and partner priorities into the outputs of the Directorate from the earliest possible phase. The Unit also oversees the day-to-day operations of the Directorate.

Role

The Member & Partnership Development Officer is dedicated to implementing a strategy for enhancing Member and partner relations in a deliberate way. They will contribute to and deliver key products such as the annual report, the Programme of Work and Budget and the policy content of briefings, speeches, talking points, presentations and other strategic documents for the Director. The person needs to be proactive, creative and succint in their thinking and communication, particularly in written format and will report to the Head of the Management & Partnerships Unit.

Main Responsibilities

Analysis, product development and drafting

• Draft the narrative of the Programme of Work and Budget in coordination with Heads of Division / Unit and other members of the Secretariat.
• Develop digestable products to increase the impact of SWAC work, by making the information more accessible to our Members and partners.
• Draft, co-ordinate, edit and finalise annual reports, briefings, speeches, talking points, presentations and other strategic documents, including liaison with the office of the Secretary General. Exercise critical oversight and
• Contribute to the preparations of high-level meetings, notably the annual Strategy and Policy group (SPG) meetings and accompanying thematic session(s), co-ordinating with the Director and Management Group (MAGRO) where necessary.
• Remain abreast of the developments in West Africa and development co-operation debate that may have an impact on the SWAC/OECD. Screen documents and highlight issues that require the attention of the Director.

Targeted outreach and liaison

• Lead outreach activities, including proposing fundraising activities. Identify potential new Members and financial partners and draft proposals in liaison with the Heads of Division/Unit.
• Contribute to and further develop close contacts with Members and Partners in a deliberate way and in line with the SWAC Financing Strategy.
• Implement SWAC’s monitoring and evaluation mechanism in collaboration with the Divisions/Units.
• Organise and coordinate the ‘RDVs du Club’, which are exclusive meetings for our Members on key policy topics.
• Assist in exercising critical oversight and quality control of the preparation of the Director’s and Presidents missions and visits, ensuring that key strategic issues are covered and the appropriate feedback and follow-up actions are taken.
• Where required, represent the Secretariat at external meetings.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• An advanced university degree in international relations, development economics, political science, public policy, communications or in related fields.

Professional Background

• A minimum of three, preferably at least five years’ relevant experience in drafting, outreach and policy support.
• Proven excellent capacity in drafting and editing and communicating effectively with different counterparts. Ability to build consensus and forge partnerships including fundraising.
• A very good knowledge of the region and its main challenges would be an advantage.
• Experience in or with West Africa would be an advantage.
• Excellent proven written and oral communication skills, as well as strong summarising  abilities. The ability to write in an engaging manner would be a strong asset.
• Ability to succinctly summarise large publications, distilling key policy messages to make them digestable for users.
• High attention to detail in order to ensure the quality control and consistency of products.
• Creativity, intellectual curiosity, willingness to learn, interest in inter-disciplinary approaches, self-organisation.
• Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation practicies and theory would be an asset.

Tools

• Very good IT skills acquired through practical experience of Office Suite, in particular PowerPoint and Word.

Languages

• Perfect fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and very good knowledge of the other.
• Knowledge of African languages would be an asset.

Core Competencies

• For this role, the following competencies would be particularly important: Drafting skills, Analytical and Flexible thinking, Team work, Influencing, Strategic networking.
• Please refer to the level 3 indicators of the OECD Core Competencies.

Contract Duration

24 months fixed term contract, with the possibility of renewal.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly base salary starting from 6 672 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.
• 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 that are nationals of OECD member countries  member countries and of West African countries covered by SWAC/OECD (15 ECOWAS member countries and Chad and Mauritania), 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.