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Director of Council and Executive Committee Secretariat

We are an equal opportunity employer and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

The OECD is a unique forum where the governments of 34 market democracies work together to address the economic, social and governance challenges of the globalising world economy, as well as to exploit its opportunities.
The Council Secretariat provides assistance on the operational aspects of Council, Executive Committee and related meetings, including the Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) and Executive Committee in Special Sessions (ECSS). It assists with strategic input for agenda-setting and various forms of institutional advice and support to the Secretary-General. It also provides support to the OECD Secretariat and Delegations on issues related to OECD governance. It ensures the implementation of institutional procedures, maintains and updates various inventories through an information coordination function and provides assistance on matters of protocol.

Job Duties
Under the direct supervision of the Secretary-General and in close collaboration with the Office of the Secretary General (OSG), the successful candidate will:

1. Governance

• Act as Secretary of the Council and Executive Committee, preparing meetings and ensuring their timely follow up. Provide strategic support to the Secretary-General in his role as Chairman of the Council. Provide support to the Chair of the Executive Committee.
• Ensure smooth communications and facilitate decision making deliberations by Council and the Executive Committee. Provide support to member country representatives as required.
• Assist with the operational and organisational aspects of Council and related meetings. In coordination with the OSG, draft the annotations for these meetings and advise on the way forward on each item.
• Organise briefing meetings for the Chairs of the Council and Executive Committee. Prepare an indicative work programme for these bodies; draft agenda for these meetings and support the Chairs in their preparations for meetings.
• Support and contribute to the work of the Dean of Ambassadors, including in the preparation of Heads of Delegations meetings and in the organisation of the Annual Retreat of Ambassadors.
• Advise on procedural and governance issues and liaise with the Directorate for Legal Affairs thereon as necessary.

2. Protocol and liaison

• Maintain necessary contacts with permanent representatives and members of their Delegations to the OECD and keep informed of their positions on relevant matters.
• Represent the Secretary-General’s views and proposals to country representatives and ensure a smooth liaison with the Permanent Delegations to the OECD.
• Support the OSG in the planning and coordination of visits to the OECD by high level officials of member and non-member countries and other distinguished visitors according to the Organisation’s procedures and protocol. Ensure effective communication with relevant liaison officers to ensure the smooth coordination of special and ceremonial events.
• Represent the OECD at diplomatic events.

3. Archives, communication and Information

• Organise and manage the archives of the Council and Executive Committee in co-ordination with other OECD archiving areas.
• Maintain and update the registry of OECD bodies and the Acts of the Organisation.
• Ensure the timely distribution of documents to Council and Executive Committee. Work with the OSG to review all documents for submission to the Council and Executive Committee, in coordination with the relevant Directors and Deputy Secretaries-General.
• Prepare and review the minutes of Council and Executive Committee meetings and authorise their distribution. Ensure that texts of reports submitted to these bodies are revised in accordance with decisions taken. Oversee document declassification and related issues.

4. Management

• As a member of the OECD senior management team, support the Secretary-General’s strategic objectives and contribute towards enhancing the OECD’s relevance and impact.
• Exercise responsibility for the overall management and administration of the Council Secretariat, as well as the development and execution of its Programme of Work and Budget.
• Supervise, motivate, recruit and develop the team to ensure the delivery of high-quality products within stringent deadlines, effective working methods, good communication and a positive working environment. Promote excellence within the team through effective recruitment, performance management and professional development of staff.

Qualifications: education, experience, communication and languages
1. Intellectual Capacity

• An advanced university degree in economics, political science, law, or other relevant discipline.
• Innovative thinking, with proven and extensive knowledge and experience at senior level. Extensive work experience in an international organisation, national administration or research institution and good knowledge of procedures and rules governing intergovernmental institutions.
• Knowledge of substantive and political issues relevant to the OECD’s areas of activity.
• Strong analytical skills combined with ability to identify emerging policy issues with implications for the Organisation’s work.

2. Leadership & Communication

• Strong leadership, political and senior management skills.
• Proven ability to dialogue with senior decision-makers and capacity to influence and negotiate with tact and diplomacy.
• A dynamic and energetic personality with ability to motivate and manage a high-performance multicultural team to achieve common objectives in a collegial manner. Possession of the necessary qualities to stimulate and inspire staff and ability to engage in negotiations and exchanges touching upon the broad range of topics falling within the OECD’s mandate.
• Excellent public speaking skills and proven capacity to communicate and interact with various audiences and stakeholders at all levels, including the media.

3. Communication and OECD official languages

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in one of the two official languages of the Organisation (English and French) and very good knowledge of the other. Ability to produce high quality drafting in one of them. Knowledge of other languages will be a clear advantage.

NB. The appointment may initially be made at the level immediately below if the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant correspond to that level; in this case, the duties and responsibilities assigned to the post will be adjusted accordingly.


Director of Council and Executive Committee Secretariat