Senior Policy Analyst – Policy Reform Analysis and Implementation ( Job Number: 16480 )
Application Closing Date: 16-10-2023, 9:59:00 PM
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 Directorate for Education and Skills (EDU) leads the Organisation’s work to help member and non-member countries achieve high-quality learning for all, design better skills policies, and turn them into jobs and growth. The Directorate carries this out by providing statistics, analysis and policy advice to countries on a wide range of educational topics. The Policy Advice and Implementation Division (PAI), within EDU, co-ordinates the provision of advice on education policy to OECD members and other countries, both collectively and individually, across all sectors of education. Outputs include both cross-country and country-specific analysis, and typically bring together quantitative and qualitative analysis to support the entire policy process from design through to successful implementation, including data development at the system level.
EDU/PAI is looking for a Senior Policy Analyst to lead work on education policy reform analysis and education policy implementation, which includes two main strands of work: (1) analysing education policy reforms and promoting country policy dialogue (the Education Policy Outlook ); and (2) providing tailored support to countries for the effective implementation of education policies . Having these two areas of work under an integrated leadership ensures synergies between them are fully explored. The Education Policy Outlook is the OECD’s analytical observatory of education policy. It monitors and analyses education policy reforms across countries and promotes exchange about good education policy practices across the education spectrum. It organises the annual Education Policy Reform Dialogues, the leading OECD Forum on Education Policy, bringing together senior policy makers to exchange on education reform and to follow-up on the goals set by the 2022 OECD Ministerial Declaration on Building Equitable Societies Through Education. In addition, it engages in comparative thematic analysis, published in the annual Education Policy Outlook; country-based work, namely through the preparation of Education Policy Outlook country profiles; and tailored policy dialogue, namely through its Policy Dialogues in Focus seminar series. Tailored support for the implementation of education policies mobilises comparative, practical knowledge of what works in the implementation of education reforms, provides peer learning opportunities and engages with countries to support their education policy implementation processes. It does so through: Policy Assessments that take stock of the policy reform and deliver an assessment of ways forward with its implementation; Strategic Advice for the implementation of a policy reform or an education strategy; or Implementation Seminars that engage stakeholders in the country in developing a joint understanding and concrete action plans for the implementation of the policy reform. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the Head of the Policy Advice and Implementation Division within the Directorate for Education and Skills.
The Policy Reform Analysis and Implementation Team collaborates with a range of other projects within the Directorate for Education and Skills and works closely with other international organisations including the European Commission and UNESCO. The work is a combination of desk-based analysis (reviews of the literature, analysis of data and policy documents), country-specific analysis (field work, stakeholder interviews), data development and analysis for policy and implementation advice (policy surveys, comparative reports, country-specific reports), and organization of meetings (Education Policy Reform Dialogues, peer-learning events, implementation seminars).
Main Responsibilities
Project and Analytical Leadership
- Provide intellectual leadership to work on education policy reform analysis and education policy implementation, according to plans defined in the Programme of Work of the Education Policy Committee and in ways that advance the OECD’s strategic priorities.
- Plan and carry out analytical work that reflects the priorities of countries, provides rigorous and actionable analysis, and creates opportunities for the productive exchange of knowledge among countries, researchers, and stakeholders.
- Provide analytical guidance and support to team members, advising the planning of activities, the collecting and analysis of evidence, the development of analytical reports and publications, the organisation of peer learning activities, and ensuring the integrity of the analysis.
- Broaden and deepen the comparative evidence base to underpin the OECD’s analysis of education policy reforms and advice on education policy implementation.
- Identify and engage with a global network of policy experts, researchers, practitioners, and consultants who can advise and support the analytical work of the team.
- Plan and organise the annual Education Policy Reform Dialogues in close collaboration with the Education Policy Committee.
Team leadership and Management
- Identify and recruit talented analytical staff, support staff, consultants, and interns, while securing staff diversity.
- Supervise and motivate team members to ensure delivery of high-quality work within set deadlines, effective working methods, a constructive working atmosphere and good communication.
- Review staff performance, support talent and career development, ensure OECD ethical standards are understood and met, and advocate for staff well-being.
- Manage the team’s budget, secure adequate resources, ensure their effective use and support lead analysts in financial management.
- Contribute to the development of strategies, policies, practices and management in the Directorate for Education and Skills.
Mobilising Engagement, Resources, and Collaboration
- S upport countries in effectively guiding OECD work on education policy reform analysis and education policy implementation, including through the organisation of meetings of informal groups and links with the Education Policy Committee.
- Obtain the engagement and financial support of countries, international organisations, and foundations in the work.
- Promote opportunities for benefical collaboration within the Directorate for Education and Skills as well as with other OECD Directorates.
- Develop effective communications and dissemination of the team’s outputs and adapt key policy messages to meet the needs of different audiences.
- Represent the OECD in relevant international and national settings, delivering presentations and disseminating the work through relevant channels.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Academic Background
- An advanced university degree in economics, public policy, or a similar discipline.
Professional Background
- A minimum of eight years’ professional experience in education policy analysis acquired in a national administration, research centre, or an international organisation.
- A substantial body of analysis contained in reports and papers that reflects wide-ranging and expert knowledge of education policy issues, including implementation aspects to education policy.
- A record of analytical achievement, including identifying new topics for analysis, methods of working, or sources of evidence.
- Experience in quantitative and qualitative techniques used in research and analysis in the social sciences and in designing and carrying out analyses that yield policy-relevant insights; drawing out evidence-based policy implications; and formulating relevant policy recommendations.
- Demonstrated ability to build trust and collaboration with public officials and stakeholder groups, and to build consensus, and to negotiate.
- Demonstrated capacity for project planning and leadership, ensuring that projects are relevant to governments, completed with attention to quality, and completed on schedule and budget.
- Ability to build and motivate teams, develop talent, match skills and expertise with project needs, and mentor staff in a multicultural environment.
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.
- Knowledge of other languages would be an asset.
Core Competencies
- For this role, the following competencies are of particular importance: Achievement focus, Analytical thinking, Managing resources, Teamwork, Team leadership, Client Focus, Diplomatic Sensitivity, Negotiating, Developing Talent and Strategic thinking.
- Please refer to the level 4 indicators of the OECD Core Competencies .
Contract Duration
- 2-year fixed term appointment with the possibility of renewal.
What the OECD offers
- Monthly base salary starting from 9 567.29 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
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- Please note that the appointment may be made at a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.
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.