Junior Economist

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 Centre (DEV) helps developing countries and emerging economies find innovative policy solutions to promote sustainable growth, reduce poverty and inequalities, address gender inequality, and improve people’s lives. The Centre facilitates policy dialogue between governments, involving public, private and philanthropic actors. Countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America participate as full members in the Centre, where they interact on an equal footing with OECD members.

Within DEV’s Regional Development Dynamics Division (DEV/RDD), the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Unit at the OECD Development Centre provides regional and country-based analyses in the region. The work of the OECD Development Centre on EMEA (www.oecd.org/dev/africa) seeks to fuel policy dialogue and support reform efforts by providing innovative regional perspectives through the flagship projects including:

• The Africa’s Development Dynamics flagship report is the product of a collaboration between the unit and the African Union Commission (AUC)’s Department for Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry, Minerals (ETTIM).

• The Revenue Statistics in Africa report which compares tax and non-tax revenue statistics for 38 countries in Africa.

• The International Economic Forum on Africa.

• The Accelerating and Scaling Up Quality Infrastructure Investment in Africa (ASQIIA) project aiming to support African authorities in accelerating their infrastructure project cycles.

• The AUC-OECD Africa Virtual Investment Platform (AVIP) aims to become the reference for comprehensive quality and timely information and analysis on public and private, foreign and domestic investment.

DEV is looking for a Junior Economist who will contribute to its work in the field of economic development research, with a focus on quantitative analysis. The selected candidate will carry out policy relevant economic analysis contributing to the thematic analysis of the annual report Africa’s Development Dynamics, and where relevant to the Unit’s and Centre’s horizontal projects. She/He will have experience in macroeconomic analysis, trade, competitiveness and industrialisation policies. The selected candidate will work under the joint supervision of the Head of Unit and Project Coordinator.

Job Description

Main responsibilities

Research, economic and policy analysis, and drafting

• Carry out high-quality policy research on economic development in Africa.

• Use quantitative methods to undertake economic analysis of the impact of policies. Conduct empirical analysis and evaluations of policies in national and comparative settings

• Help coordinate the research, consultations, peer reviews, drafting, production, and dissemination of the Africa’s Development Dynamics report.

• Contribute to the coordination and quality control of publications, reports and working papers of the Africa Unit, including the Africa’s Development Dynamics.

• Prepare conceptual notes and related documentation for the annual International Economic Forum on Africa.

• Draft high quality briefing notes, communications material, report presentations and briefs for senior officials related to relevant policy issues on the African continent.

• Draft high quality research documents, project reports, blogs, as well as policy briefs and articles targeted at both technical and non-technical audiences and the media, under tight deadlines.

• Support junior staff such as interns, guiding their work and providing feedback.

Liaison, outreach and event organisation

• Help maintain and develop relationships with stakeholders from government and partners including other international organisations, think tanks, and agencies, such as the AUC, EU, AUDA-NEPAD, ACBF, ACET, BMZ, GIZ, foundations and academic networks.

• Contribute to the development of effective consultations and dissemination strategies.

• Participate in discussions in expert groups and assist in organising meetings, seminars, workshops, and conferences related to the work of the Unit.

• In coordination with other team members, communicate key messages relating to the Unit’s work and specific projects within the OECD to external stakeholders.

Other duties

• Respond to queries from internal and external stakeholders and partners in a timely manner.

• Contribute to drafting project proposals to support fundraising activities.

• Collaborate effectively with other colleagues and contribute, as required, to horizontal and multidisciplinary projects and other outputs of DEV and the OECD.

• Keep abreast of economic/development policy issues related to international development, economics and globalisation to increase visibility and impact of the work of the Unit.

Qualifications

Ideal candidate profile

Academic background

• An advanced university degree in economics (major in macroeconomics preferred) or relevant related fields. Training to PhD level would be an asset.

• Good knowledge of macroeconomic policy and quantitative methods is required.

A specialisation in development economics or related fields such as trade, agricultural or industrial development would be a key asset, with a specialisation on the African continent or the member countries of the African Union.

Professional background

• At least three years' experience in applied economic research in the context of developing countries and globalisation, with a focus on trade, agricultural or industrial development in Africa

• Proven record of analytical work, in particular applied economic analysis (analytical reports and/or published papers).

• Experience in working in international organisations or think tanks would be an asset, preferably in an African country.

• Experience in implementing policy-oriented research at the global level (e.g. in coordination with think tanks from developing countries) and in drafting technical reports on emerging issues affecting Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

• Excellent analytical and drafting skills in English, the ability to meet tight deadlines, multi-task and produce concise, top-quality work at strategic and operational levels.

• Excellent organisational, coordination and communication skills.

• Accountability and autonomy: provide regular feedback to head of unit and project coordinator in an independent style.

• Experience in organising missions and meetings, seminars, conferences and workshops with and for developing countries would be an asset.

Tools

• Proficiency in the use of standard software applications (MS Office).

• Good experience in the handling of data sources, econometric techniques and the use of statistical software (Stata, R, Python, Excel VBA, etc.).

• Good knowledge and experience in using main statistical databases.

Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and a good knowledge of the other.

• Knowledge of another language would be an asset (e.g. Portuguese, Arabic).

Additional Information

Core Competencies

• For this role, the following competencies would be particularly important: Achievement focus, Analytical thinking, Drafting skills, Teamwork, Diplomatic sensitivity and Strategic networking.

• 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 2); Achieve Results (Level 1); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 2). Please refer to the OECD Core Competencies.

Closing date

• This vacancy should be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than midnight 30.11.2026 (Paris time).

Contract duration

• 12-month fixed-term appointment, with the possibility of renewal.

• This vacancy may be used to fill several positions. The appointment type will be determined based on the needs of the Directorate and will be confirmed when an offer of employment is made to the selected candidate.

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

What the OECD offers

• Monthly salary starts at 6 008 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.

• Click here to consult the Staff Regulations applicable to officials of the OECD. Please note that from 1 July 2025, all Official appointments will be made under the OECD’s new contractual modalities.

• 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.

• Please note that the appointment may be made at one grade lower in the specified job family, based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

• This vacancy may be used to create a pool of candidates for comparable positions, both for open-ended and fixed-term functions.

Selection Process

For retained candidates, a written test is foreseen approximately during the month of December 2026 and panel interviews are planned approximately during the month of January 2027.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of OECD and OECD Development Centre 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.