JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Description

The Environment Directorate (ENV)

ENV is looking for a dynamic and visionary Director to provide leadership and strategic direction to the Environment Directorate. As a key member of the Senior Management team of the Organisation, s/he will provide intellectual leadership and ensure that the OECD is at the forefront of global economic policy thinking. The Director will be responsible for advancing the Secretary-General’s and the member countries’ priorities in ENV’s areas of work. S/he will deliver analysis and policy advice that leverage ENV’s competitive advantages and address linkages between environmental challenges, as well as their economic, sectoral, financial and social implications, ensuring they fully reflect the multidimensional nature of OECD work. S/he will work closely with the senior management team, providing guidance and support in the coordination and management of its Programme of Work and Budget, and its Committees, Working Parties and Expert Groups. S/he will promote horizontal work and foster coordination and joint work with other areas of the Organisation. S/he will be responsible for ensuring that the diversity of skills and knowledge within ENV’s workforce meets its current and future needs, and for maintaining a high performing workplace that fosters collaboration, accountability and promotes staff wellbeing.

The breath and the complexity of the policy issues for which ENV is responsible requires an experienced senior executive with an excellent understanding of environmental issues, political processes and effective institutional settings. S/he thrives in a fast paced, multidisciplinary work environment, and is an innovative strategic thinker with political sensitivity. Finally, s/he has a proven track record of managing and delivering a complex Programme of Work and Budget, as well as managing large and diverse international teams, while maintaining a wide and effective professional network, representing the OECD in international meetings, conferences and media events.

Main Responsibilities

Leadership

Lead the Directorate’s team in delivering the work programme in line with the priorities set by Members and the Secretary-General and with the OECD’s strategy for environment in the Programme of Work and Budget.

Support the advancement and delivery of strategic outcomes in the area of environment through enhanced engagement and horizontal work.

Ensure the Directorate is at the forefront of international thinking and research on environment, in line with current developments and emerging trends, and shaping the Organisation’s global contribution.

Support the Office of the Secretary-General, the OECD Sherpa, and their respective teams on targeted policy advice and on the Organisation’s contributions in the area of environment, including to the G20 and G7.

Reinforce synergies within ENV’s extensive co-operation programmes with non-members to achieve better overall value for the Organisation, as well as ensuring consistent and high-quality evaluations of candidates for accession to OECD across all ENV committees concerned.

Enhance the OECD’s position as a leading player in policy dialogue, the identification of good international public environment practices, and in the development of standards and best practices.

Representation and Liaison

Represent the Directorate and the Organisation at internal and external meetings, establishing close contacts and active collaboration with a wide range of colleagues, stakeholders and partners to achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiency.

Establish and maintain a network of relationships with other international organisations, national authorities, academia and research institutes.

Actively contribute to the development, promotion and implementation of enhanced engagement with key partners and other non-member economies and “horizontal” (multidisciplinary) work.

Lead and oversee policy missions to OECD Member Countries and several non-OECD member economies, involving meetings with Ministers and other high-level policy makers.

Promote collaboration across the Organisation, and effective relations with the relevant policy communities and permanent delegations, both within and outside the OECD, to ensure a coherent approach to the OECD’s support for economic growth and social progress.

Management and Co-ordination

Actively manage the Directorate’s human capital, through merit-based recruitment processes, professional development and performance management of its staff.

Ensure optimal use of financial resources, skills and knowledge in support of the Directorate’s business needs.

Build and lead a cohesive, multicultural and multidisciplinary team, promoting excellence, inclusion and diversity.

Ensure effective co-ordination, collaboration and co-operation across the Organisation, including with the Office of the Secretary-General and policy directorates to support and contribute to flagship corporate initiatives and horizontal projects.

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, respect and support staff in developing their full potential.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic and Professional Background

An advanced university degree in economics, environmental economics, law, public policy or another relevant discipline.

More than 10 years’ experience in the environmental and climate sector, in environmental economics or other policy areas falling within ENV’s remit, including experience in formulating and implementing policy recommendations as well as in international co-operation. This experience would have been acquired in a national administration (ministry, regulatory body or other institution), international organisation, academia, the private sector or the not-for-profit sector (think tank or other institution).

Excellent knowledge of current national and international environmental policy challenges as well as of the implications of geopolitical and other developments for the environment.

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.

Excellent knowledge and experience of environmental and climate policy issues in emerging economies would be an asset.

Well established professional network and contacts with key actors and stakeholders in relevant communities.

Proven ability to interact confidently with various audiences, including the media would be an advantage.

Excellent communication skills, strong culture of collaboration, and a proven record of fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Communication and Languages

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

Knowledge of other languages would be an asset.

Core Competencies

Staff in Executive Leadership are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring processes at level 3: Vision and Strategy; Enable People; Ethics and Integrity; Collaboration and Horizontality; Achieve Results; Innovate and Embrace Change.

To learn more about the definitions for each competency, please refer to the OECD Core Competency Framework.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Date Posted: 2025-03-21

Application Deadline: 21-Mar-26

Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM

Experience in Months: 60