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 DCD’s Director’s Office, the Development Research Unit seeks to bridge research and evidence at the frontier of international development with the development co-operation community in a way that raises political awareness and impetus to translate commitments into real results and makes fresh proposals on overcoming structural and systemic bottlenecks to progress. The Unit collaborates with development policy makers and leading think tanks, researchers and experts from across the OECD and internationally with a view to bringing new perspectives, especially from the Global South. It is responsible for the OECD’s flagship report on international development (Development Co-operation Report (DCR)) and the Directorate’s research, analysis and publication on Aid for Trade. The DCR looks at how to maximise the relevance and impact of development co-operation policy, financing and partnerships on today’s most urgent challenges to sustainable development, progress towards the SDGs and the effects of climate change.

Job Description

Role

The Development Research Unit is looking for a Young Associate to support a planned redesign and transformation of the flagship report and donor profiles throughout 2025 and delivery of a new thematic report in 2026 with stronger thought leadership and agenda setting in the lead up to a post-2030 agenda. They will also support the delivery of the 2026 edition of the OECD Aid for Trade report. The selected candidate will work under the supervision of the Head of Unit.

Main Responsibilities

Research, analysis and drafting

• Support the creative process for redesigning and producing a new Flagship report, including conducting market research and consulting with users, key partners, the DAC, professional editors, the OECD Directorate for Communication, etc
• Conduct research and analysis; Synthesise findings, and draft content for the 2026 New Outlook report and the 2026 Aid for Trade report.
• Conduct background research and analysis on relevant issues to inform the annotated agenda of the bi-annual meetings of the Network of Chief Economists of International Development Agencies and Finance Institutes ensuring the ability to make links with the international development system.

Coordination, liaison and outreach

• Develop and maintain solid horizontal collaboration across DCD and the OECD to identify opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration, including close liaison with the DCD Communications team.
• Develop and maintain strong working relations with partner organisations engaged in the Flagship Report, the Chief Economist Network, and the Aid for Trade report.
• Support the preparation and delivery of strategic communications for the 2026 Flagship report including the high-level launch, speeches, keynotes, talking points and presentations; run of show, and the organisation of in-person and virtual events (e.g. agendas, invitations, summary reports, etc.).
• Identify opportunities for partnering with and disseminating the flagship Reports (current and past) with new communities, in particular academic researchers based in low- or middle-income countries and dissemination events with universities.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• Undergraduate degree in international development, public diplomacy, economics, political science, international relations, or related discipline (graduation date between 1 January 2024 and 1 September 2025). Applications from candidates who already hold or are enrolled in a Master’s, PhD, or equivalent degree will not be considered.
• Coursework on research design and methodologies, data and statistics, and dissertations that address specific international development and political economy issues.

Skills

• Demonstrable knowledge and keen motivation to work on global development issues, social and environmental justice and awareness of economic development challenges faced by countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Asia.
• Demonstrable experience in analysis data, literature reviews and drafting skills.
• Communication and interpersonal skills to present ideas and research findings in different settings and collaborate in a multicultural workplace.

Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and a knowledge of, or willingness to learn, the other.

Core Competencies

• For this role 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 1); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 1).
• 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, please refer to OECD Core Competencies

Additional Information

Closing Date:

• Applications should reach us no later than midnight 1 December 2024 (CET).

Contract Duration

Two-year fixed term appointment

Starting Date

September 2025

Before applying, we encourage you to check your eligibility by answering a few short questions here.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly base salary is 3 780.34 EUR, exempt of French income tax, plus allowances based on eligibility.
• 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.

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. Applications from candidates who are not OECD Member country nationals will not be considered.

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.