Head of Division - Digital Connectivity, Economics and Society

THE SCIENCE, TECHONOLOGY AND INNOVATION DIRECTORATE

The Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Directorate, in line with the strategic objectives of the Secretary-General, helps OECD Member countries and other key economies build an environment conducive to translating science, technology and knowledge into innovation in order to provides solutions and opportunities, and support sustainable and inclusive economic growth and social wellbeing.

The Digital Connectivity, Economics and Society Division (DCES) of the STI is responsible for developing evidence, analysis and policy recommendations on critical topics for digital policymaking, including online safety, digital security, digital well-being, connectivity and infrastructure, critical technologies (e.g. semiconductors) and measuring digital transformation.

THE POSITION

STI is looking for a dynamic and experienced manager to head the OECD Digital Connectivity, Economics and Society Division (DCES) Division. The selected person will have line management responsibility for the budget of the Division and for a large team of about 30 professionals and support staff working in a multicultural environment. S/he will represent the OECD in international fora, synthesising and communicating key policy messages and findings. S/he will help advance the Strategic Objectives of the Secretary-General, particularly enhancing OECD’s work on Connectivity, Economics and Society.

As a key member of the management team of STI, the selected person will work closely with the Director and Deputy Director to support, advance and provide strategic direction to the Directorates’s work and work closely with the Office of the Secretary General (OSG) and other parts of the Organisation in the coordination of STI’s Global Relations Strategy and in providing input to horizontal work across the Organisation.

Job Description

Management of the committees and their programme of work

• Manage the committees and their functioning consistent with the Organisation’s Rules of Procedure.
• Develop and steer the implementation of the programme of work for the Digital Economy Committee (DPC) and its Working Parties and of the programme of work for the Committee on Consumer Policy (CCP) and its Working Party.
• Develop a strategic vision for this work in the context of the overall objectives of the Directorate and of the OECD, including the global relations strategies of these bodies, and develop work plans to foster a high level of participation and debate at their meetings. Build consensus while seeking ways to involve a broad range of stakeholders.
• Formulate, implement and evaluate the work programme activities, including cross-directorate, multidisciplinary and outreach activities. This responsibility includes: providing substantive orientations, reviewing and contributing to drafting policy, analytical, technical and quantitative documents; ensuring high-quality output results and consistency in the area of work of both Committees; keeping abreast of new developments in the fields concerned; allocating resources in an appropriate manner; completing work on schedule and phasing out low-priority activities; designing and managing the communications and publication/dissemination strategy for the Division; maximising the impact of the output results achieved.

Representation, liaison and dissemination

• Represent the Directorate and the Organisation at internal and external meetings.
• Ensure co-operation, and establish and maintain close contacts with other parts of the Directorate, Organisation, other international organisations, national Delegations, national authorities and statistical offices, industry, academia and non-governmental civil society organisations as appropriate.
• Contribute to the effective dissemination of the work of the Division through the media and other sources.

Leadership

• Lead and manage the staff of the Division. Set objectives and provide guidance on the goals, direction and timing of their work; provide regular and constructive feedback on performance to motivate staff and contribute to their professional development.
• Develop and maintain good teamwork and ensure effective work methods and project management; implement and maintain arrangements to ensure effective internal communications within the Division and good working relations with other divisions and directorates, and with external partners. Seek to exploit the range of skills that exist within the Division, Directorate and across the Organisation.
• Contribute actively, as a member, to the senior management team of the Directorate and the OECD.

Budget management

• Manage the financial resources of the Division, in particular, consultancy contracts, travel and miscellaneous expenditures, and grants/voluntary contributions in line with the Financial Regulations of the Organisation and the Directorate's internal practices.
• Promote work programme activities so as to raise complementary grant/voluntary contribution funding. Implement the appropriate control procedures to ensure the quality of services and products purchased (including consultant’s studies, conference services, data, etc.).

Qualifications

Academic Background

• An advanced university degree in one or more disciplines (e.g. economics, public policy, law) relevant to the work programme of the Digital Connectivity, Economics and Society Division.

Professional Background

• A minimum of ten years' experience, at senior level, in more than one of the policy areas relevant to the work programme of the Digital Connectivity, Economics and Society Division, preferably acquired in a national administration or international organisation.
• Extensive knowledge of policy analysis of issues relevant to the programmes of work of the DPC and the Committee on Consumer Policy (CCP), and familiarity with the policy issues relevant to the wider Directorate programme of work.
• Passion and vision for undertaking analytical work for the development of digital economy and consumer policies that support inclusive growth and improve wellbeing. Knowledge of a wide range of related policy issues including data-driven innovation, communication regulation, measurement and analysis of economic impacts of digital transformation and issues associated with the protection of privacy and personal data, digital security risk management for economic and social activities.
• Experience of planning, implementing, managing and evaluating work programme projects and of achieving targeted output results. Proven experience in working with inter-governmental committees and working groups. Experience of chairing or acting as a secretary to such a group would be an advantage.
• Proven capacity to design, organise and manage projects and to advise senior management on work programme activities as well as to plan and manage a budget. Strategic vision and ability to identify and prioritise emerging issues.
• Participation in international networks of thought leaders on digital economy and consumer policy related issues would be an advantage.
• Proven ability to present, promote and make OECD work results accessible to wide audiences and translate them into practical solutions.

Languages

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

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 3); Enable People (Level 3); Ethics and Integrity (Level 3); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 3); Achieve Results (Level 3); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 3).
• 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 for levels 1-3, please refer to OECD Core Competencies.

This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than 23h59 on 10 December 2024 (Paris time). Apply now!

Contract Duration: Three-year fixed term appointment, with the possibility of renewal.

Please note that our Rules and Regulations stipulate that the mandatory retirement age is 67.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly base salary starting from 12,109 EUR plus allowances, based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
• Please note that the appointment may be made at a lower grade depending on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from 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. Our selection processes are merit-based; we strive to enhance diversity both from national and gender perspectives while running fair, transparent and competitive selection processes.

The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.

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