View Vacancy - Senior Advisor, UK Delegation to the OECD (FRA21.118)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Political

Note: Due to COVID-19, you may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign. We are working hard to minimise any disruption. You may find more information in the Additional Information section below.

The British Embassy in Paris is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. It is also part of the UK’s France Network (including offices in Lyon, Bordeaux and Marseilles and representation to international organisations in Paris (OECD and UNESCO) and Strasbourg (CoE).The British Embassy is currently looking for a Senior Advisor to OECD.

The role offers a unique insight into how multilateral institutions work as well as the opportunity to work closely with the Head and Deputy Head of Mission and experts across Whitehall. The successful candidate will be able to test and enhance their leadership, communication and partnering skills in a stretching role while picking up technical expertise across a range of issues including human resources, budgets, pensions. In a significant year for UK global leadership the successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring UKDEL work is more than the sum of its parts during UK presidencies of the G7 and COP 26. There will also be opportunities to access wider FCDO formal training courses, mentoring, coaching and other offers.


The selected candidate will help raise the OECD’s effectiveness to maximise the Value for Money it delivers the UK by developing and coordinating the UK Permanent Delegation’s position on governance and financial management issues; Lead on ensuring cross delegation strategic co-ordination overseeing Council, Executive and Budget Committee business; Lead on other cross delegation strategic priorities as and when these arise.


Roles and responsibilities:

Coordinate UK positions on Council and Executive Committee matters, attend Council briefing meetings, liaise with the Council Secretariat, provide a single contact point for briefing for the Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative;

Engage with HMG stakeholders to develop the UK’s reform agenda for the OECD and advocate these ideas through formal/informal meetings with the Secretariat and other permanent delegations;

As UK delegate to the OECD Budget Committee develop and advocate UK positions on financial issues (pensions, Voluntary Contributions, employment packages) to ensure the Organisation delivers maximum Value for Money. Support the UK Delegation by becoming the point of expertise on the OECD governance systems and financial processes.

Provide leadership on cross-delegation initiatives, such as the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting, planning for the transition of the new Secretary General.


Full professional proficiency in English and French, including excellent writing skills* (C1 Level)- assessed at interview.

S/He should have strong policy, partnering and collaborating and leadership/matrix management skills to develop and coordinate cross-delegation positions across a range of complex and technical policy issues.

Excellent communication skills will be required to seek instructions from stakeholders in the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, generate cross HMG policy positions and brief the UK Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative in a clear and concise manner.

Strong networking and influencing skills will be needed to work with the OECD Secretariat and 37 member countries to shape OECD thinking and reach consensus based solutions.

An ability to see the “bigger picture” will be essential in order to identify the key financial and management issues at the OECD.  

The candidate should be familiar with the role of multilateral organisations and the various challenges they face.

The candidate must be able to demonstrate flexibility, adaptability and an ability to manage competing priorities simultaneously. The OECD is going through a period of change with an incoming Secretary General and UKDEL will have a new Permanent Representative joining in June. The jobholder will need to adapt to and accomodate changing priorities as these arise.

The candidate must be able to demonstrate a strong interest in the role of the OECD in helping its Members deliver better policies for better lives.


Familiarity with structure and workings of the UK government would be an advantage.

High numerical literacy and familiarity with budget and finance principles would be an advantage.

Experience of working with/for the OECD or other similar multilateral institution.


27 April 2021
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Temporary
35
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
France
UK Delegation to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation & Development, Paris
British Embassy
1
EUR
5088
8 June 2021

This is a full-time and fixed-term position (expected duration of the contract 9 months).

All appointments are subject to professional background check satisfactory security clearance. The successful applicant will be required to provide a copy of his/her passport or national identity card for all nationalities held, an up-to-date criminal record (casier judiciaire) for recent countries of residence (which can be obtained online at https://www.cjn.justice.gouv.fr/cjn/b3/eje20 ), two written proofs of address (utility invoices and/or bank statements) and two references.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in France are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local French employment law and FCO guidance for Local Staff. The posts we offer are not an entry point into the UK’s Diplomatic Service.

Your application will only be considered if you follow the guidance below:

  • Your application must be sent in English only.
  • Your application must clearly indicate all nationalities you hold.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in France and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

FCDO does not pay for travel related expense incurred in interviews (including Security Check) or accept any financial risk, including cancelation or reschedule costs. The FCDO will not meet the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

Additional Information (due to Covid-19):

  • You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption;

  • Interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action;

  • Starting date may be delayed depending on circumstances at the time and it will be agreed with the selected candidate.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.