Lead Economist – Investment, trade and development co-operation nexus
OECD
Full-time
On-site
Paris Île-de-France France
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 Development Co-operation Directorate (DCD) encourages co-ordinated, innovative international action to accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2030 in developing countries and improve the financing of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the quality and effectiveness of development co-operation. The Directorate helps set international standards for development co-operation, supports the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and monitors how donors deliver on their commitments. Drawing upon OECD-wide input, the DCD supports members and partners with data, analysis and guidance.
Sitting within the Director’s Office, the Development Co-operation Research Unit (DCR) bridges independent, data-driven and inclusive research at the frontier of international development co-operation with policy advice to shape and inform a future-fit international development co-operation system. The Unit manages the Directorate’s work programme on Aid for Trade, Responsible Business Conduct and Development Co-operation, the OECD’s flagship report on international development co-operation (Development Co-operation Report), the annual Development Co-operation Profiles, and serves as the Secretariat to the International Network of Chief Economists of Development Agencies and Finance institutes.
DCD is looking for an Economist / Policy Analyst to contribute to the goals and work of the DCR Unit. The function involves active collaboration and joint work with OECD Directorates, the WTO and within DCD. The selected candidate will report to the Head of the DCR Unit.
Job Description
Main responsibilities
Strategic co-ordination
Identify emerging issues and trends at the nexus of trade, investment and development policy and finance to shape and take forward current and future work programmes with the DAC, leveraging their knowledge of financing for development, trade, investment and private sector contributions to development.
Lead and co-ordinate delivery of complex strategic priorities and forward planning on the future of Aid for Trade and RBC with partner organisations and member states.
Play an active role in project management, co-ordination and preparation of strategic reports and publications for sign-off by the Organisation’s leadership.
Take forward the Directorate’s work on Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) and Development Co-operation, including through new guidance, in close collaboration with the OECD Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs and the RBC Centre.
Contribute to the Directorate’s goals on thought leadership and strategic planning as well as the Unit’s operational efficiency.
Support design and delivery of programme of work and budgets, including fundraising.
Participate, as relevant, in OECD and other meetings and projects that pertain to trade, investment and responsible business conduct and international development, identify opportunities for collaboration and ensure complementarity with other projects.
Research, analysis and drafting
Lead the preparation of the joint OECD/WTO Flagship report on Aid for Trade at a Glance, trade and development policy analysis and collaborate with the OECD’s Trade and Agriculture Directorate.
Draft technical and strategic documents on international development co-operation, trade, and investment policy with a focus on coherence and quality finance for sustainable development, including flagship reports, either as a lead author or as a contributor.
In co-operation with the Directorate’s statistical teams, analyse quantitative data and evidence in policy analysis and recommendations.
Research and develop policies, good practices, guidance or principles to be adopted by the DAC and OECD as relevant.
Support the editorial process, including copy-editing where relevant, with authors, in line with overall editorial line and OECD publishing standards.
Conduct or participate in country level work, including specific country/regional/sector level analysis, possibly with field missions.
Contribute, as required, to horizontal and multidisciplinary projects and other outputs of DCD and the OECD.
Co-ordination, liaison, and communication
Collaborate with Divisions across DCD and other OECD Directorates on private sector engagement (trade, investment and RBC) for joined-up approaches and greater policy coherence for development.
Build networks and liaise with experts and practitioners to maximise the inclusivity and diversity of expertise from across the system including with international organisations, DAC membership in capital and partner countries, policy makers in low and middle income countries, business and civil society to produce high quality quantitative evidence and policy advice.
Contribute to the organisation of policy dialogues and peer learning activities with expert groups, to ground research and evidence and a forward looking perspective – drawing on the latest evidence and thinking.
Develop key messages and visuals, including data visualisations, to enhance the visibility and impact of policy research and advice, in co-operation with the Communication teams.
Contribute to the dissemination of the Unit’s work at strategic events.
Represent the organisation at conferences, meetings and workshops.
Prepare briefs, speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior management and OECD leadership.
Supervise junior staff, interns and intellectual service providers, as relevant, while monitoring progress and providing guidance and advice where required.
Qualifications
Ideal Candidate Profile
Academic Background
An advanced university degree in economics, international relations, public administration, or any related field.
Professional Background
At least five years of relevant experience in the area of development and/or development finance analysis.
Experience working with leading think tanks, bilateral, international organisations and the private sector would be an advantage.
Good understanding of development issues, the main challenges in financing for development and the public-private sector role’s in enhancing policy interlinkages.
Knowledge of the principles and concepts underlying the measurement of development finance, and capacity to link development to other issues (e.g. trade, finance, investment, migration, inclusive growth).
Strong drafting skills: strong record of publications and experience in drafting and editing complex reports with multiple authors with a wide range of profiles.
Proven capacity to interpret and synthesise complex economic issues into analytical reports, policy recommendations or communications with a broader audience.
Tools
Practical experience in using standard information technology applications (Microsoft Office Suite) is required. Knowledge of statistics and economic tools such as STATA, SQL and R would be an asset.
Additional Information
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 1); Ethics and Integrity (Level 2); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 2); Achieve Results (Level 2); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 2).
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.
Closing Date
This vacancy should be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than midnight 20 October 2025 (Paris time).
Contract Duration
Open-ended appointment, with no foreseen end date.
What the OECD offers
Monthly salary starts at 9 610.74 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
Click here to consult the Staff Regulations applicable to officials of the OECD. Please note that from 1 July 2025, all Official appointments will be made under the OECD’s new contractual modalities.
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 one grade lower in the specified job family, based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.
This vacancy may be used to create a pool of candidates for comparable positions, both for open-ended and fixed-term functions.
Selection Process
For retained candidates, the selection process will include a video-recorded interview, job-based assessment and panel interviews.
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.
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 Development Co-operation Directorate (DCD) encourages co-ordinated, innovative international action to accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2030 in developing countries and improve the financing of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the quality and effectiveness of development co-operation. The Directorate helps set international standards for development co-operation, supports the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and monitors how donors deliver on their commitments. Drawing upon OECD-wide input, the DCD supports members and partners with data, analysis and guidance.
Sitting within the Director’s Office, the Development Co-operation Research Unit (DCR) bridges independent, data-driven and inclusive research at the frontier of international development co-operation with policy advice to shape and inform a future-fit international development co-operation system. The Unit manages the Directorate’s work programme on Aid for Trade, Responsible Business Conduct and Development Co-operation, the OECD’s flagship report on international development co-operation (Development Co-operation Report), the annual Development Co-operation Profiles, and serves as the Secretariat to the International Network of Chief Economists of Development Agencies and Finance institutes.
DCD is looking for an Economist / Policy Analyst to contribute to the goals and work of the DCR Unit. The function involves active collaboration and joint work with OECD Directorates, the WTO and within DCD. The selected candidate will report to the Head of the DCR Unit.
Job Description
Main responsibilities
Strategic co-ordination
Identify emerging issues and trends at the nexus of trade, investment and development policy and finance to shape and take forward current and future work programmes with the DAC, leveraging their knowledge of financing for development, trade, investment and private sector contributions to development.
Lead and co-ordinate delivery of complex strategic priorities and forward planning on the future of Aid for Trade and RBC with partner organisations and member states.
Play an active role in project management, co-ordination and preparation of strategic reports and publications for sign-off by the Organisation’s leadership.
Take forward the Directorate’s work on Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) and Development Co-operation, including through new guidance, in close collaboration with the OECD Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs and the RBC Centre.
Contribute to the Directorate’s goals on thought leadership and strategic planning as well as the Unit’s operational efficiency.
Support design and delivery of programme of work and budgets, including fundraising.
Participate, as relevant, in OECD and other meetings and projects that pertain to trade, investment and responsible business conduct and international development, identify opportunities for collaboration and ensure complementarity with other projects.
Research, analysis and drafting
Lead the preparation of the joint OECD/WTO Flagship report on Aid for Trade at a Glance, trade and development policy analysis and collaborate with the OECD’s Trade and Agriculture Directorate.
Draft technical and strategic documents on international development co-operation, trade, and investment policy with a focus on coherence and quality finance for sustainable development, including flagship reports, either as a lead author or as a contributor.
In co-operation with the Directorate’s statistical teams, analyse quantitative data and evidence in policy analysis and recommendations.
Research and develop policies, good practices, guidance or principles to be adopted by the DAC and OECD as relevant.
Support the editorial process, including copy-editing where relevant, with authors, in line with overall editorial line and OECD publishing standards.
Conduct or participate in country level work, including specific country/regional/sector level analysis, possibly with field missions.
Contribute, as required, to horizontal and multidisciplinary projects and other outputs of DCD and the OECD.
Co-ordination, liaison, and communication
Collaborate with Divisions across DCD and other OECD Directorates on private sector engagement (trade, investment and RBC) for joined-up approaches and greater policy coherence for development.
Build networks and liaise with experts and practitioners to maximise the inclusivity and diversity of expertise from across the system including with international organisations, DAC membership in capital and partner countries, policy makers in low and middle income countries, business and civil society to produce high quality quantitative evidence and policy advice.
Contribute to the organisation of policy dialogues and peer learning activities with expert groups, to ground research and evidence and a forward looking perspective – drawing on the latest evidence and thinking.
Develop key messages and visuals, including data visualisations, to enhance the visibility and impact of policy research and advice, in co-operation with the Communication teams.
Contribute to the dissemination of the Unit’s work at strategic events.
Represent the organisation at conferences, meetings and workshops.
Prepare briefs, speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior management and OECD leadership.
Supervise junior staff, interns and intellectual service providers, as relevant, while monitoring progress and providing guidance and advice where required.
Qualifications
Ideal Candidate Profile
Academic Background
An advanced university degree in economics, international relations, public administration, or any related field.
Professional Background
At least five years of relevant experience in the area of development and/or development finance analysis.
Experience working with leading think tanks, bilateral, international organisations and the private sector would be an advantage.
Good understanding of development issues, the main challenges in financing for development and the public-private sector role’s in enhancing policy interlinkages.
Knowledge of the principles and concepts underlying the measurement of development finance, and capacity to link development to other issues (e.g. trade, finance, investment, migration, inclusive growth).
Strong drafting skills: strong record of publications and experience in drafting and editing complex reports with multiple authors with a wide range of profiles.
Proven capacity to interpret and synthesise complex economic issues into analytical reports, policy recommendations or communications with a broader audience.
Tools
Practical experience in using standard information technology applications (Microsoft Office Suite) is required. Knowledge of statistics and economic tools such as STATA, SQL and R would be an asset.
Additional Information
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 1); Ethics and Integrity (Level 2); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 2); Achieve Results (Level 2); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 2).
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.
Closing Date
This vacancy should be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than midnight 20 October 2025 (Paris time).
Contract Duration
Open-ended appointment, with no foreseen end date.
What the OECD offers
Monthly salary starts at 9 610.74 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
Click here to consult the Staff Regulations applicable to officials of the OECD. Please note that from 1 July 2025, all Official appointments will be made under the OECD’s new contractual modalities.
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 one grade lower in the specified job family, based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.
This vacancy may be used to create a pool of candidates for comparable positions, both for open-ended and fixed-term functions.
Selection Process
For retained candidates, the selection process will include a video-recorded interview, job-based assessment and panel interviews.
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.